Striders wrap up Triple Crown & Irish Eyes Series

The first annual Irish Eyes 6-Pack Series concluded this past weekend with 393 taking part in the Fathers Day 5K hosted by Zoggs in Rehoboth Beach. The Irish Eyes Series began in April with the Seashore Classic, followed by the Mothers Day 5K, the Lewes Habitat 5K, the Blue-Gold 5K, the Irish Eyes 5K, and finally the Fathers Day 5K. A total of 12 runners competed and finished all six events and will be presented with a gift at the Jungle Jim’s 5K Saturday, June 21: Tom Jones, Ed Osienski, Joel Simon, John Blackford, Katie Kuhlman, Laura Dignan, Jamie Wollard, Linda Schwartz-Chi, Yvonne Azeltino, Cindy Redefer, Deborah Rementor and Georgette O’Cone.

The Striders Triple Crown Series also was held this past weekend, which consisted of three events in three days in three towns. June 13 was the Georgetown Library 5K, followed by the June 14 Irish Eyes 5K and the June 15 Fathers Day 5K.  A crew of 16 completed that challenge: Dr. Lee Masser, Jack Vassalotti, The Defibrillator, Jay Epstein, Jim Marvin, Brent Kuhlman, Mardiny Ung, Lainey Shockro, Stephanie Short, Linda Schwartz-Chi, Sandra Waldee-Warden, Yvonne Azeltne, Lori Waldee-Warden, Cathy Haut, Cindy Redefer and LeeAnn Waltz.

Run for Jay - At noon, Friday, June 20, friends and family of Jay Stein, owner of Stuart Kingston, who recently passed, will gather to run and walk the Boardwalk and pay tribute to one of the most well-known and supportive guys in Rehoboth Beach. Jay was instrumental in beginning the longtime YMCA 5-Mile race, and for the past 17 years I have worked with Jay hosting the Run for J.J. 5K in honor of his late son. I visited Jay several times a year at Stuart Kingston, and each time he would call me back to his office and either introduce me to someone he was doing business with or tell me one of his many stories about the past, usually having to do with running. Jay hosted the best post-race breakfast at the J.J. 5K, as his team would serve up a cooked breakfast of eggs and side dishes. One of my fondest memories was when Jay decided he wanted to ride on the back of the lead truck, driven by Half Pint Stockley with me and Dave “Fredman” Frederick, and watch while three Ethiopian runners and two Kenyan runners attempted to break the Delaware state record in the 5K. Jay was all smiles and hanging on the whole way as the race came down to a sprint at the finish with the Kenyan hitting the line in 13:52 for a new record. Jay talked about that race for a whole year as being one of his all-time favorite races. Jay will be deeply missed.

Dave Reynolds Biathlon - The popular 24th Dave Reynolds Biathlon is coming fast, and if you’re not registered, you need to do so now by going to www.seashorestriders.com and then event information July 6. The race will be a half-mile swim, followed by a 5K run that will begin in front of the Rehoboth Beach Patrol Headquarters. There is also a 2-mile memory walk that will take place on the Boardwalk. There will again be individual divisions in five-year age groups, Clydesdale & Filly divisions, as well as team divisions in male, female, coed, and youth categories. This event usually sells out at 400 participants, so register now.

Upcoming races

7:30 a.m., Saturday, June 21, 10th Jungle Jim’s 5K Run, Jungle Jim’s, Rehoboth Beach.

7:30 a.m., Sunday, June 22, 19th Bill Degnan 5K Run & Walk, Cape Henlopen High School, Lewes.

7:30 a.m., Saturday, June 28, 24th Seashore Striders 5K Run & WDF 5K Run, Rehoboth Elementary School, Rehoboth Beach.

8 a.m., Sunday, June 29, 12th The Ivy 5K, Dewey Beach.