Christmas gifts pile up under Striders family tree
As a race director of 70-plus events a year, I have the pleasure throughout the year of being in contact with so many great people and supporters in our running and racing community. The sport has grown by leaps and bounds since the beginning of the Seashore Striders in 1990. Gazette sports editor Dave Frederick, one of the founders of running in the area who has watched it grow, describes the growth as “turning into a mecca for road racing.” Last week I met with longtime runner Rick Brokaw, whose opinion I greatly respect, and we talked future marathon course options; then on Christmas Eve I bumped into a great supporter in Dave Johnson, and we had a great post-marathon talk. I have weekly correspondence with people like Marybeth Evans, Doc Lee Masser, Rosanna Castillo, Enos Benbow and Dan MacElrevey. All of them always have something to give the Seashore Striders, whether it’s an opinion, an idea, a completed task, or just an ear to listen. I am very thankful to have such great team of supporters and friends in the Striders family.
I offer a few gifts this week for some outstanding supporters of running and racing:
To Striders photo man Fredman, I leave another great race picture to add to his database of thousands over 23 years.
To Dr. Lee Masser, the cofounder of the Seashore Strider Summer Racing Series, I leave a record Masser 5 Miler and a record participation for the 2014 series.
To Sussex Tech's coach Lou Nicoletti, I leave 365 healthy days, a hill, and two dedicated cross country teams.
To my co-director of the Seashore Marathon, Marybeth Evans, I leave a 2,500 participant race and healthy feet all year.
To Striders XC coach Dan MacElrevey, I leave another season with me.
To Strider Richard Tikiob, I leave another action picture from the rear of the pack.
To Grove Club President Doris Hicks, I leave another membership and another week to continue the streak.
To eighth-grader Logan Shuttleworth, I leave a sub-5:30 middle school mile to close out her Beacon track career.
To elite runner Enos Benbow, I leave another road race win, a sub-2:40 marathon, and another chip to attach.
To son Jake, I leave a 2:02 800-meter race and a conference team cross country championship.
To son Ben, I leave a trip to the state championship in the 3,200 meters as a frosh and a sub-17 cross country 5K.
To race director Rick Hundley, I leave more great Bethany races and a record field at the September triathlon.
To Strider Emily Ritter, I leave a sub-4:45 collegiate mile running for Rider University.
To runner Luanne Goldfarb, I leave a sub-4 marathon and no injuries for the entire year.
To the Giant, I leave another piece of fruit for the races and another customer we can send in.
To Logomotive Billy, I leave another print in 2014 to add to the 42,000 prints we did in 2013.
To volunteer Laura Zwiebel, I leave another successful registered and timed race and a 2014 race to direct on her own.
To Quest Mud Run partner Matt Carter, I leave a 500-plus event and more and more mud.
To Dogfish Dash partner Mark Carter, I leave a 2,000-plus event in Milton and another great post-race party.
To the Cape Gazette, I leave another running and racing weekly column to add to my 1,000 straight columns.
To my wife Monique, I leave another half-marathon finish and a sub-23-minute 5K performance.
To all the great runners in the Cape Region, I leave another Striders race and a healthy, injury-free year in 2014.
Merry Christmas to all!
Surfin’ Snowman
The Inaugural Surfin' Snowman 5-Miler, presented by Miken Builders, will kick off at noon, Saturday, Dec. 28, in Bethany Beach with the running of a 5-mile race and a Santa's Helper 2-Mile Family Run/Walk challenge. The 5-mile event will complete a double loop in town before making a turnaround at the 4.65-mile mark and heading north to the boardwalk for the festive grand finish. The 2-mile event will complete a single loop with a boardwalk finish as well.
Custom awards will be presented to the overall, masters, and top three finishers in each age group. To register for the Surfin' Snowman, go to www.seashorestriders.com or www.surfinsnowman.com.
Proceeds benefit the Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Company and Justin’s Beach House.
Race into the New Year 5K
The final Seashore Striders event of the year will take place at noon, Tuesday, Dec. 31, at the Rehoboth Beach Running Company in Rehoboth Beach. The Race into the New Year 5K will be an out-and-back course from Lake Avenue to Oak Avenue to Surf Avenue and onto the Boardwalk for the 1.55-mile turnaround. Registration at $25 per entry will take place on race day from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. at the RBRC. Preregistration is open online at www.seashorestriders.com through 6 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 29.
The event will kick off at 11:50 a.m. with the annual running of the 12 & under Kids' 1/4-Mile Dash. Awards will be presented to the top three finishers in age groups from 9 & under through 70 & over. Stop by the RBRC to register through Dec. 29 and grab a bite at event sponsor Catcher's Restaurant, which will provide pancakes to all runners at the post-race gathering.
Upcoming races
Noon, Saturday, Dec. 28, Inaugural Surfin' Snowman 5-Miler & Santa’s Helper 2-Miler, Bethany Beach, www.surfinsnowman.com.
Noon, Tuesday, Dec. 31, Race into the New Year 5K, Rehoboth Beach Running Company, Rehoboth Beach, www.seashorestriders.com.
9:30 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 1, Hair of the Dog 5K & 10K, Bethany Beach, www.races2run.com.
