We all love pizza. And when it comes to local pizza, Nicola Pizza is mentioned with the best of them.
The third annual 5K to benefit Warrior Weekend was held Nov. 8, with 221 participants taking part. The first one back for his third win in a row was Andy Gorlich of Milton, who ran 17:06 to average 5:30 per mile. Mike Sewell of Lewes ran 19:28 for second and top master, while Caleb Abbott of Georgetown ran 19:31 for third, Adam Kerlin of Marietta, Pa., was fourth in 19:50 and Charlie Zurakowski of Schenectady, N.Y., rounded out the top five in 19:57.
On the female side, it was former youth cross country All-American Mackenzie Speed of Magnolia running away with the win in 21:18, which was 1:30 ahead of Alexandrea Cooper of Lewes in 22:47. Jennifer Smith of Georgetown was third in 22:49, Maureen Pinkerton of Rehoboth Beach was fourth in 24:16 and Joanne “Mighty Mouse” Senft of Mount Wolf, Pa., in 24:26 wrapped up the top five finishers.
“We are very fortunate to have such a great community that comes out to support our events at Nicola Pizza,” said owner Nick Caggiano Jr. “Special thanks to all our sponsors and volunteers who made this event happen, and we are already looking forward to a bigger and better race next year.”
10K raises funds for CIB
The third annual Horseshoe Crab Hustle 10K and 1.5-mile walk to benefit the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays was held Nov. 9 in Bethany Beach, attracting 357 runners and walkers. Bethany Brewing Company played host to the popular event.
Switching from a five-mile distance to a 10K race allowed the Seashore Striders team to get all the walkers through the finish before the first runner came through. All but three walkers made it through before lead runner Scott Wallace of New Market, Md., charged through the finish in 35:26. Sam Sharp of Alexandria, Va., finished second in 36:47, while Andy Gorlich of Milton ran 37:27, Matt Sparacino of Harrington finished fourth in 38:17 and Alex Dypsky of Ocean City, Md., rounded out the top five in 38:37.
On the female side, it was Abigail Crowley of Rehoboth Beach who easily took the title in 42:10, over five minutes ahead of Jamie Hicks of Milford in 47:31 for second place and the top master female. Kimberly Gaytan of Warrenton, Va., finished third in 48:05, while fourth went to Susan Dunn of Laurel in 48:09 and Mackenzie Murray of Manchester, Md., ran 50:43 to wrap up the top five.
This event has grown quickly and has put itself on the map for a fun time with some unique offerings to the participants. A cool long-sleeved T-shirt and unique laser wood crab awards led the way, followed closely by one of the most beautiful 10K courses in the state. There was also plenty of food and, of course, beer to go around.
“There are very few 10K races left in the state when compared to 20 years ago,” said Martin Rodriguez of the Seashore Striders team. “We had the opportunity to fit a 10K in the Fresh Pond Park, which flows nice and is safe and easy to follow, so we took advantage to change it from a five-miler to a 10K.”
Full results can be found at seashorestriders.com.
Finish chute
The Seashore Striders Youth Cross Country Team will travel to Knoxville, Tenn., next week for the 35th year in a row to the Coaches Cross Country National Youth Championships. Nolan, Lilly and Annie Peet, along with Chloe and Dane Cawthern and Manning Bean will make the trip.
A threesome of Thanksgiving events the Seashore Striders will produce will begin Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, at Irish Eyes in Lewes. The second Friendsgiving 5K will be held to benefit Home of the Brave’s Toys for Tots Program in honor of the late Don Johnson, a longtime Irish Eyes bartender.
The 11th Pumpkin Pie 5K is set for Saturday, Nov. 29, at Grove Park in Rehoboth Beach. The race is a Thanksgiving tradition to benefit the Apple Electric’s Toys for Tots program that partners with the Seashore Striders in memory of the late Steve Prespitino.
The 22nd Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk to benefit Special Olympics Delaware and Delaware Womenade Inc. is slated for Sunday, Nov. 30. The Bethany Beach race is a post-Thanksgiving walk/run through Sea Colony’s beautiful community for a great cause. Net proceeds help local athletes with training, uniforms and equipment, and Delaware Womenade Inc. supports women and children who are victims and survivors of domestic violence.
All three events can be found at seashorestriders.com.
Thanksgiving is the busiest time of the year for road races, as thousands of races are held throughout the country in a three-day span of Thursday through Sunday.
Focus Multisports will host its annual Bethany-Fenwick Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot, which is a fun two-mile run/walk in downtown Bethany Beach
Races2Run will host the 53rd Newark Turkey Trot 10K/5K Saturday, Nov. 22, while the ninth Gobble Wobble 5K will be held Sunday, Nov. 23 in Felton.
Rylie’s Smiles Turkey Escape 5K and 1-mile walk is set for Thanksgiving day in Rehoboth Beach, while the second 1925 Eagle Foundation Turkey Trot 5K will be held Nov. 28 in Rehoboth Beach.
