Cape cross country team is ready to run

Cape cross country has 16 runners out for the girls’ team and 28 runners out for the boys’ team for the unique 2020  season. The team will open up by traveling to Brecknock Park to race against Caesar Rodney Wednesday, Oct. 21, which always has seen some of the best dual meets in the Henlopen Conference. Katie Kuhlman is the top returning runner, as the sophomore looks to lead a tight and talented pack of harriers. Senior Lindsay Rambo, junior Mia Nuebling, junior Elizabeth Melson and senior Taylor Johnson will keep the Vikings solid, while also getting contributions from newcomer and long sprinter Tia Jarvis, a junior, and Ariana Adili-Khams, a sophomore who looks to be in the best shape of her running career.

On the boys’ side of the action, Ryan Baker, just a sophomore, put together a solid summer of training and recently recorded the best two-mile time trial of 10:39. The top returning runner is junior Ethan Edery, who was one of last year’s front-runners in the state. Junior Julian Callaway and senior Lance Kauffman should tighten up the top four runners for the Vikings, which will go a long way in the team scoring,

The Vikings, along with the rest of the Henlopen Conference teams, are facing a very unique season that looks different from any other in the past. My hope is that each team can find some peace and common ground to the fact that they are practicing, they are ready to compete, and they are spending safe time with their teammates, regardless of the time they run or the team score they post.

Shields Elementary running to Hawaii

Shields students are in their fourth rotation, and 15 classes have started their walk/run to Hawaii with the goal to reach the islands, which are 4,937 miles from Lewes. I promised them a Hawaiian hula party. I will continue to update the public on this challenge, as the students are excited about it, and what the healthy benefits of walking and jogging can do for their bodies. I am combining the challenge with healthy eating, focusing on fruits and vegetables, which we call “go foods.”

As of Oct. 7, we have circled the track 4,280 times for 856 miles, and we are currently in Chicago, Ill. The top five classes through their five-day rotation are: 1. Team Libby (third grade) - 566 laps; 2. Team Gannon (fifth grade) - 487 laps; 3. Team Davis (fifth grade) - 430 laps; 4. Team Peet (fourth grade) - 409 laps; 5. Team Catts (fourth and fifth grade) - 403 laps. Stay tuned!

Seashore Half Marathon

Last weekend’s Seashore Half Marathon and 5K went off without a hitch, with 120 live runners racing through Cape Henlopen State Park on 13.1- and 3.1-mile courses in Lewes. Social distancing, mask wearing, no awards ceremony and staggered starts were all administrated in the event, making it a safe outing. Dylan Smiley threw down a time of 1:09:14 to win the male half, while Jen Cawthern won the female title in 1:39:27. For Smiley, it was one of the fastest half-marathon performances ever at the beach, and for Cawthern, it was her first overall half-marathon title. Mike Marciano (18:49) and Tracy McLamb (29:16) took the 5K titles. Special shout out to the Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park group who handled the water stops and some directional locations. Thanks as well to the Park Watch volunteers, who provided safety on the course. Look for additional events at the beautiful park in the next few months.

Sea Witch Fall Classic 5K

This year’s popular Sea Witch Fall 5K Classic in Rehoboth Beach will not take place due to COVID-19 restrictions and the cancellation of the Sea Witch Festival. The Seashore Striders will open up a new Halloween-themed live event this weekend and will allow 200 runners to register for the event planned for Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes.  As it stands right now, with the state still in Stage 2, look for the Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie 5K to be moved to Cape Henlopen State Park as well. Go to www.seashorestriders.com  to look for these two live events. Stay tuned!