Grove Club hits 1,000; Paws 5K on tap in Dewey
In July 1994 The Grove Club, a weekly walking and jogging club, was born in Rehoboth Beach, and this week we celebrated the 1,000th straight Tuesday evening meeting; it took 19 years to reach the milestone. A gathering was held at The Grove Park, attracting a crowd of 50 or so, including many original members dating back to the mid-'90s. The festivities began with an introduction from President Doris Hicks, a runner who has attended 750 times or an amazing 75 percent of the time.
Special guests were introduced including the families of past members; 2013 scholarship winner Julie Kyritsis; Sen. Ernie Lopez, R-Lewes; and Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach. We then dedicated a donated JW Oak Tree that was planted in memory of past members.
I had the pleasure to read a letter from longtime President Bob “G” Porter that thanked everyone for their years of dedication to the club, followed by Lopez presenting the club with a proclamation from the state of Delaware. Member Margaret Colvin then led us to the starting line of the original four-mile course through the Acres that Bob Porter and I mapped in early July 1994. The evening ended with a celebration cookout and social gathering full of fun stories to tell from the past 19 years. I announced to the guests that in the year 2032 we will hit 2,000 straight Tuesdays, and we will make it. It was a great achievement to be a part of as we continue to keep up the traditional slogan: Groovin’ at the Grove for the health of it.
Cross country begins
The high school cross country season began Aug. 15, the first legal day of practice in Delaware. Most of the teams choose a time of day when it is not so hot, usually in the early morning or in the evening, for their August practices. Early preseason is a time when you discover who has been training and logging the miles and who has been sunbathing on the beach and thinking about logging the miles. The Henlopen Conference usually ends up with nine to 11 teams that compete in at least one dual meet to tri-meet per week with an invitational on a Friday or Saturday which includes most teams in the state. The first major test for most is the Lake Forest Invitational, which will be held Saturday, Sept. 7, at Killens Pond State Park in Felton. Locally in the beach area, we have four teams that will be competing in the Henlopen Conference as Cape Henlopen, Indian River, Sussex Central and Sussex Tech will all send teams to the starting line. Good luck and let the 5,000 meters of fun begin.
Sundance adds swim event
The Fourth Annual Sundance 5K has a new name, as this year a swim has been added, making it the Sundance Land & Sea 5K Run, Biathlon, Half-Mile Swim, and 1-Mile Walk. The event will be Sunday, Aug. 25, with an 8 a.m. start for all events. The biathlon, new this year, will feature a half-mile ocean water swim, followed by an out-and-back 5K.
Organizers encourage participants to be creative. Whether you’re a serious runner, a swimmer, a power walker, or want to dress like a diva and sashay away, there will be something for everyone. This event will feature the four individual events to pick from and a catwalk for best costumes. Prizes will be awarded in several categories. Register online at www.seashorestriders.com.
Upcoming races
8 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 17, Fifth SPCA Race for the Paws 5K, The Starboard, Dewey Beach.
8 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 18, Fifth Greene Turtle 5K & 10K, Lewes.
8 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 24, Fifth Ed Dean 4-Mile Trail Run, Magnolia’s Restaurant, Ocean View.
8 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 25, Fourth Sundance 5K Land & Sea Biathlon, Swim, Bandstand, Rehoboth Beach.
