Bunny Palooza 5K draws 669 racers to Bethany Beach
Easter was in the air in Bethany Beach last weekend as the 14th Bunny Palooza 5K and 1-Mile Walk hit the streets April 4, following a kid’s bunny dash to the finish line. Nearly 700 participants came out for the run/walk combo from 14 states, led by Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania, but also as far away as Washington, Florida and Illinois.
When the dust had settled and the stuffed bunnies were ready for their new homes, it was overall male champion Blake Brown of Felton claiming his prize with a time of 16:47.2. Matt Marcini of York, Pa., was second in 17:45.3, also taking the male masters award (40+), while Caleb Charmatz of Olney, Md., finished third in 18:09.6.
Trudy Dalton of Selbyville claimed her own stuffed bunny as she captured the overall female championship in a time of 21:27.2, while second place went to Carin Zecca of Landenberg, Pa., in 21:57.5, along with the female masters award. Camryn Morris of Media, Pa., finished third in a time of 22:15.0. Rick Hughes of Columbia, Md., won the male grand masters (50+) title in 20:29.3, while John Costello won the male senior grand masters (60+) in 21:16.9. Jill Melchionni of Fallston, Md., won the female grand masters title in 22:28.4, and Johnice Comer of Cambridge, Md., won the female senior grand masters in 25:17.5.
“The 14th annual Bunny Palooza was an amazing family event in Bethany Beach on April 4,” said race organizer Doug Purcell. “The Quiet Resorts Charitable Foundation in partnership with John Clayton Elementary School PTO and Seashore Striders were key to the overall success. The event was hosted by the Town of Bethany Beach and Mango's at the boardwalk. There were well over a thousand people there between 5K runners, kiddie dash runners, one-mile walkers, volunteers and guests. The choir from John Clayton, under the leadership of Mike Williams, performed with a couple of great songs as well as our national anthem. The participants were provided nourishments donated by many local merchants to include donuts, bagels, chips, bananas, pretzels, pizza, pork sliders, water and beer.”
Purcell said, “The QRCF raised almost $29K between our generous sponsors and registrations, and should net close to $20K that will go back into the local communities in grants for the needy, youth and the elderly. Thank you for helping the QRCF help others.”
Coastal Delaware running events
The Coastal Delaware Running Festival will hold its 5K Run/Walk Saturday, April 11, and the Co-Del Marathon, Half-Marathon and 9K will take place Sunday, April 12, in and around Dewey Beach and Rehoboth Beach. Runners from many states, many from half-marathon and marathon clubs doing a distance in every state, will be in the area. I will be hanging with the Cape High Honor Society on Sunday morning coordinating water stops in the Lewes area. Spring is here! Over & out.
