Cape Region: The mecca of running

One of the main reasons why rescheduling an event or adding a new event is nearly impossible in the Cape Region is because there is an event every Saturday and Sunday throughout 90 percent of the year, each raising thousands of dollars for hundreds of charities and groups. Many athletes and organizers that host or compete in one, two or a few events do not realize the total amount of events in the area. Several times throughout the year I will get an organizer that would like to change their date, and I have to show them the schedule of four different race directors now doing events in the area to explain why they cannot move their event. I say it to many organizers, “If you get a date at the beach, you better keep it or you will lose it.” Years ago, our visitors used to come on vacation and try to catch a race while they were in town, but now many runners who support our events schedule their vacations around certain races they want to take part in. 

Here is a look at the rest of September and the month of October in the Cape community. There are 15 events from this Saturday through Sunday, Oct. 28!

• Saturday, Sept. 15 - Seventh annual Hustle for the House 5K Run, races2run.com

• Saturday, Sept. 22 - Fourth annual Paradise Crushin’ Cancer 5K Run, seashorestriders.com

• Saturday, Sept. 22 - Freedom from Seizures 5K, fusionracing.com

• Saturday, Sept. 22 - Bethany Beach First Responders Half Marathon, focusmultisports.com

• Sunday, Sept. 23 - Third annual Taste of Sposato 5K Run, seashorestriders.com

• Sunday, Sept. 23 - Bethany Beach First Responders Triathlon, focusmultisports.com

• Friday, Sept. 28 - 11th annual Run for Betty Dolphin Dash 5K, seashorestriders.com

• Saturday, Sept. 29 - Second annual Udderly Fun Mooo-Run The Ultimate Farm 5K, seashorestriders.com

• Sunday, Sept. 30 - 13th annual Dogfish Dash 5K Run, seashorestriders.com

• Saturday, Oct. 6 - Eighth annual Dewey Goes Pink 5K, races2run.com

• Saturday, Oct. 13 - Third annual Ashley Furio Memorial 5K, races2run.com

• Sunday, Oct. 14 - Fifth annual Herring Point 5K & 10K Classic, seashorestriders.com

• Sunday, Oct. 21 - 16th annual Mariner’s Bethel 7-Miler/5K Trail Run, seashorestriders.com

• Saturday, Oct. 27 - Inaugural MAL Run for the Arts Costume 5K, seashorestriders.com

• Sunday, Oct. 28 - 29th annual Sea Witch Fall 5K Classic, seashorestriders.com.

Note - The Dewey Beach Sprint Triathlon, in its 22nd year, will not take place this weekend, as Hurricane Florence has forced the cancelation. Although the path has turned a bit to the south, the storm is still very large and will make an impact on the Cape Region with rain and wind likely. Race Organizer Ava Cannon works with several agencies on the event, and state public safety officials decided to cancel it for the weekend. With all the events in September and October, as well as DelDOT and the Delaware State Police also involved with other events like NASCAR, bike races, festivals, etc., a make-up date in September and October could not be found.

The Cape Region leads the nation in the number of events based on our population alone compared to other large states and cities. The Cape Region is a mecca for runners!

Here is what’s being done at this time regarding the Dewey Tri: If you were registered, you can still pick up your shirt, water bottle and goody bag from Gary’s Dewey Beach Grill from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 15. We can mail your shirt to you as well. After this weekend, if we still can’t find a suitable alternative date, we will try to be in touch with each of you on how we will handle next year’s registration. There will be a 23rd annual Dewey Beach Sprint Triathlon.

Blake Hundley

Former Seashore Striders runner Blake Hundley finished third for St. Andrews at the Lake Forest Invitational, breaking the 17-minute barrier in the first meet of the season. Blake, out of Bethany Beach, has been a runner since he was old enough to walk, and while most toddlers start with the words “ball” and “mommy,” Blake’s first words were “run” and “win.” He has done quite a bit of that in his years as a runner. Blake even has a dog named “Garmin,” who might even wear a GPS. Blake continues to grow and get stronger, and look for Blake to lead the St. Andrew’s boys straight into the Division II competition.

Cape girls

Olivia Brozefsky led her Cape girls to a one-point win over Caesar Rodney, with a time of 20:48. More impressive was that the girls who rounded out the top five were packed up in 33 seconds. If that pack closes the gap, the Vikings will win many meets this season. Kolbe O’Donnell was third overall in 18:06 for the Cape boys. He was followed closely by Ryan Morrow of Sussex Tech in 18:08. The Cape boys were second in the Division I competition. Faith Mitchell of the Seashore Striders won the middle school open 2.1-mile race in 14:08, while Bennett Brumbley led the Striders boys in third with a time of 13:49.