Cape grad Tori Bunting completes first marathon
This week I was contacted by local Cindy Bunting, the mom of 2009 Cape Henlopen High School graduate Tori Bunting. Tori is a Milton native and a graduate student in speech pathology in Chapel Hill, N.C. The family and friends of Tori would like to offer recognition in honor of her completion of her first marathon, which I thought was pretty cool. Tori trained for the marathon for five months with two peers, Christine Augliera and Becky Carroll, who are studying in the same field. The 26.2-mile event, held March 16 in Cary, N.C., is known as the Tobacco Road Marathon. Beneficiaries of the Tobacco Road Marathon include the Wounded Warrior Project, American Red Cross, Triangle Rails to Trails Conservancy and the Junior Diabetes Research Fund. Tori finished in 10th place for her 20-24 age group with a time of 4 hours, 19 minutes and 40 seconds. I congratulated Cindy and asked her to pass it on to her daughter. I have one question: When is she coming to Delaware to do our Rehoboth Seashore Marathon? Great job, Tori!
Couchman still racing
Just about 20 years ago I was driving a van full of young track and field athletes to meets up and down the East Coast. One was a little pocket rocket named Katie Couchman. Couchman, an in-shape athlete and member of the Lewes Police Department, ran in the Running for a Change 5K held March 23 at Trap Pond in Laurel. Katie, 29, out of Milton, finished 11th overall in 26:06 to win the 20-29 age group, while her friend and racing partner Amber Worley of New Castle, Colo., was second in the 20-29 group in the same time of 26:06. Seeing Katie sprint to the finish reminded me of her days with the Seashore Striders, whether it was racing through the woods in cross country or blazing down the backstretch of the track with a baton in her hand. She was a fast-twitch sprinter. There is some bad news for residents of Lewes whom she stops for speeding on Savannah Road: If you try to run on her, no question she will catch you!
IRXC 5K on tap with April Fools 5K to follow
This Saturday and Sunday, March 29 and 30, will mark a first event as well as an event we have hosted for 19 straight years. Beginning at 9 a.m., Saturday, the Indian River cross country team will host its first 5K on the school's home course on the Dagsboro campus. The 5,000-meter course is fast, flat and grass-covered. Age-group awards will be presented to the top three finishers in eight age groups.
At 10 a.m., Sunday, the 19th April Fools Day Prediction Challenge Run will take participants on a beautiful journey through Cape Henlopen State Park for a 3- to 6- mile run or 1- to 2- mile walk. Plenty of unique surfaces will challenge you throughout. If you are looking for even splits, a personal record or mile markers, stay home! If you are looking for a challenging course, a lot of fun, and a great workout, we will see you on the starting line March 30. String backpack bags will go to the first 50 participants to register. Happy April Fools Day!
Sunday side note - On Sunday, my Seashore Striders team will fill in for me at Cape Henlopen State Park as I will support my wife as she celebrates her 44th birthday in Philadelphia along with over 10,000 participants in the first annual Love Run Half Marathon from the art museum. Soft pretzels at the finish…I’m there!
