Share: 
Running

April Fools Day Run - a unique kind of race

April 5, 2013

The 19th annual April Fools Day Run will take place Sunday, April 7 at Cape Henlopen State Park, leaving the fishing pier and going somewhere at 10 a.m.   The event has been dubbed “the prediction challenge” as the course takes runners on a beautiful 3- to 6-mile journey through the state park on the following surfaces: bike path, sand, road, dirt, sand, grass and more sand! If you're looking for even splits, a personal record, or mile markers, you better stay sleeping! If you're looking for a challenging course, a great workout and good old-fashioned fun, we will see you on the starting line. The traditional April Fools duffel bags will go to the first 75 registered participants (no T-shirts). The race features miles not marked, but plenty of them, digital display clock with incorrect time, post-race awards, refreshments, and a possible water stop between the start and the finish. “The April Fools event is a great, fun, challenging event that you have to try,” said Strider Rich Tikiob. “You never know what will be around the corner or what you will have to jump over, crawl under, or go through. It is definitely unique!” See you on the starting line!

A look back at the 2012 Foolers:  "Last Saturday morning marked the 18th annual April Fools Day Run at Cape State Park, which is a bit of an all-surface and anything-goes event that runners looking for a challenge with a mystery distance come out and enjoy. This year the runners lined up at the start in A-Z order, which put defending champion Breck Vanderwende in the back, but it did not last long. Following a fishing pier out & back, the course took them to the beach for some soft-sand battle and then up onto the roads through the youth camp. An added twist this year was a trip through the fitness stations where they had to cross some monkey bars and do some climbing halfway through the course. As they crossed through the chip timing split they started another loop, since they enjoyed the first loop so much. Total distance was 3.32 miles with Vanderwende taking the male race in 23:09 and Susan Dunn winning the female race in 25:52. Christopher Stanley won the masters and finished in the No. 2 spot in 23:33, while John Thornton wrapped up the top three in 23:51, winning the 30-39 age group. Mardiny Ung finished second in the female race, winning the masters in 28:07 for second, while Monique Bamforth wrapped up the top three, winning the 40-49 age group in 28:22."

Seashore Classic Half-Marathon around the corner

The fourth annual Seashore Classic, a half-marathon event, a 5K run, and a relay division, will be held Sunday, April 14, starting and finishing at Irish Eyes in Lewes.  Runners will travel toward Lewes Beach and then to Cape Henlopen State Park and loop the park before returning to Lewes and making their way back to the Irish Eyes location. Preregistration packet pickup will be held the evening before, 5 to 8 p.m., Saturday, April 13, at Irish Eyes. The race will take off at 8 a.m., Sunday. If you can complete a distance of 10 miles, you're good to go for a half-marathon. Nearly 200 participants have registered; registration is still open through the middle of next week. For more information, visit www.seashorestriders.com.

Quest Fitness Mud Run

The word is out; the applications are circulating, and the online hits are picking up daily as local groups are gathering teams for the Third Annual Quest Fitness Mud Run scheduled for Saturday, April 28, in Milton at 9 a.m. Applications can be picked up at Quest Fitness, or you can download an application on the Seashore Striders website. Participants can also register online from the Striders website through active.com. The course is not ready for a preview yet; there has been some construction in the course area this month that has us designing a new route. The event will feature at least 10-12 challenges and will be between 3 and 5 miles in distance. Tech Ts will be presented, as well as finisher medals and lunch provided to the participants by Bethany Blues. Several local businesses are forming teams and using the event for some employee bonding and team building, so get your spring going with a fun and challenging event - the local Mud Run…don’t miss it!

Upcoming Races

10 a.m., Sunday, April 7, 19th 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, Lewes, www.seashorestriders.com.

8 a.m., Sunday, April 21, First Oy Vey 5K Run & Walk, Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach, www.seashorestriders.com.

Subscribe to the CapeGazette.com Daily Newsletter