Share: 
Running

Shuffle on down to Junction & Breakwater Trail March 23

15K and 5K races will follow scenic Lewes-Rehoboth path
March 22, 2013

The seventh Shamrock Shuffle will be held Saturday morning, March 23, from the Junction & Breakwater Trail behind the Tanger Outlet Center in Rehoboth Beach.

The 15K and 5K races will begin together at 9 a.m. and will head north toward Lewes and Cape Henlopen High School before turning around and heading back the same way. The 3.1 and 9.3-mile courses will be held on the trail - a beautiful Cape Henlopen State Park addition to the Cape Region and a popular place in the area to walk, run or ride a bike. Awards will be presented to the overall male and female champions in both races as well as the masters champ in each race.

Age-group custom wood plaques will be presented to the top three finishers in the following age groups: 9 & U (5K only), 10-13 (5K only), 14-19 (5K only), 19 & U (15K only), 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 & O (for both 5K and 15K) A 1/4 mile youth race will be held just before the start with medals going to the top finishers.  A short-sleeve tech T-shirt will be guaranteed to the first 150 participants to register. Race day registration will be held from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the trailhead behind the outlet center.

Middle school track & field carnival

Friday will mark the opening day for high school and middle school track & field, as hundreds of athletes throughout the state will be running, jumping and throwing their way to victory. The Cape Vikings head to Sussex Central, and this week, Vikings coach George Pepper and I were trying to remember when was the last time the Golden Knights hosted a home meet. In the glory days, I know the Knights hosted home meets at the old Georgetown High School on the cinder oval as I chased 6-foot-5-inch distance runner Randy Jones through eight laps as he dealt me my only dual-meet loss that season, running his personal best of 10:20.

The Beacon and Mariner middle school teams both open up against Georgetown and Selbyville in a four-team meet, which will look like an organized carnival in Lewes. Julie Jackson, former outstanding thrower from Cape Henlopen, coaches Mariner. Just about 200 athletes from sixth through eighth grade will battle through 13 events, which include six track events, five field events, and two relays. Mother Nature has not been very nice to spring track athletes since March 1, so several events have only been touched on. It will be an interesting meet to watch, and if you're looking to help the Beacon and Mariner teams at the meet, we would love to have you.  Field events start at 3:30 p.m. followed by running at 4 p.m.

Caesar Rodney Half

Wilmington’s Caesar Rodney Half Marathon & 5K was held March 17. As I scrolled through the results looking for local runners who placed in the top five in always-tough age groups, I found my Rehoboth Marathon partner, Mary Beth Evans of Rehoboth Beach, taking third in the 45-49 age group in a time of 1:42:02 and averaging 7:48 per mile. Also taking third in the 5K event for her age group was 13-year-old Maggie Smith of Rehoboth Beach in 53:16, while sister Madeline was second in her 14-18 age group in a time of 28:54. Congratulations to all finishers in such a quality event. For complete results go to www.lin-mark.com.

Scotty B for three

This week I watched my late brother’s son, Scotty, play in the Big Sky championship game as his Weber State basketball team lost by two points to Montana. The game was on ESPNU, and it was pretty neat to see him on the 46-inch Sony. He played his heart out trying to make it to the big dance, and when the horn sounded the Grizzlies went bonkers, while the camera showed Scotty at center court with his hands on his knees and tears in his eyes. Scotty, the New Mexico Player of the Year while a senior in high school, has faced plenty of hurdles in his young life, losing both his mother and father at a young age, but the support of his wife, young son, friends and family has carried him through tough times.  On March 20 the Wildcats opened up in the CIT tournament in Utah and Scotty hit seven 3-pointers, scoring 23 points to lead his team to a 85-43 win over Cal-Poly. “It’s Scotty B for three!” and the beat goes on in the CIT tourney.

Upcoming Races

9 a.m., Saturday, March 23, Seventh Shamrock Shuffle 15K & 5K, Junction & Breakwater Trail, Rehoboth Beach, www.seashorestriders.com

8 a.m., Saturday, March 30, Second Bunny Palooza 5K & 10K Run & Walk, Bethany Beach, www.bunnypaloozarun.com.

10 a.m., Sunday, April 7, 18th April Fools Day Run, Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes, www.seashorestriders.com

8 a.m., Sunday, April 14, Fourth Seashore Classic Half Marathon & 5K, Irish Eyes Restaurant, Lewes, www.seashorestriders.com.

Subscribe to the CapeGazette.com Daily Newsletter