Coronavirus 6-Pack Series nearing the finish line

The Coronavirus 6-Pack Racing Series is three weeks strong and heading into the final week of the series with 220 runners and walkers taking part in the virtual challenge hosted by the Seashore Striders. So far, 60 percent of participants are women. The series is giving people a chance to give back and raise money for much-needed charities doing something they love to do. The series has raised $8,393 so far for 10 nonprofit local and national charities.   

The top charity is the Beebe Healthcare COVID-19 Relief Fund, where $2,425 has been raised through April 22. Additionally, $1,385 has been donated to Seashore Striders, $1,001 to the Delaware Humane Association, and the Food Bank of Delaware is also nearing the $1K mark.

Participants have through midnight April 24 to get registered for the series. Distances that must be completed during April include: 1 mile, 3.1 miles, 5 miles, 6.2 miles, 10 miles and 13.1 miles. 

Age-group leaders as of April 22:

Overall: Tim Young, 5:10:57, and Cindy Washeck, 4:56:34

Masters: Rich Oldrieve, 5:11:52, and JoAnn Moore, 5:38:28

9 & U: Robbie Myers, 2:26:29, and Oisin/Oengus Oldrieve, 4:20:29

10-13: Riley Stazzone, 3:38:03, and Faith Mitchell, 1:48:28

14-19: Ryan Baker, 3:59:35, and Ryann Howard, 5:46:27

20-29: Jason McGavin, 2:33:43, and Mel McCloy, 3:57:14

30-39: Stephen Mitchell, 6:18:52, and Elizabeth Gerritt, 5:41:12

40-49: JR Ward, 5:16:35, and Amy Robinson, 5:47:43

50-59: Brad Ewald, 4:22:14, and LuAnn Goldfarb, 5:59:01

60-69: Michael Smith, 3:26:35, and Betsy Tootell, 4:08:38

70 & O: Woody Disharoon, 4:16:16

For more information or to get registered, go to www.seashorestriders.com.

Local group races virtual Boston

Led by local Martin Rodriguez, a small group of runners took part in a full marathon and half marathon in honor of the Boston Marathon, the world’s most popular marathon event, that was postponed until September 2020.

Rodriguez, who set up the course with the help of Leah-Kate Lounsbury, was first to finish the full in a time of 2:53:39, while Lounsbury also ran the marathon and turned in a time of 3:14. Several runners took part in the half marathon, as Dylan Smiley ran an impressive time of 1:09 to average 5:18 per mile. Andy Gorlich ran 1:30, while Natalie Marie ran 1:33, Michael Marciano ran 1:38, Bobby Hutton turned in 1:39, and Marybeth Evans and Shelly Murray both ran 2:05.

Friday Night Lights

The Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association is asking all high schools to take part in an activity called Friday Night Lights that will take place Friday, April 24. Schools are asked to turn on the stadium lights at 8 p.m. and keep them on for 20:20 as a way to recognize student-athletes, coaches, officials and families during this crisis and during a spring season that looks to be lost.

I will be taking care of this duty for Cape Athletic Director Bob Cilento and I hope to post pictures, possibly a Facebook Live video, and maybe even a Zoom feed to some of my Cape supporters. DIAA is asking that students, parents and fans not come to the school facility to ensure social distancing guidelines are followed.  

This is a way of taking a moment to let all interscholastic student-athletes, coaches, officials and families know that we recognize their dedication, commitment and willingness to compete during this time of school closure. This is particularly important for our high school seniors who have had their senior seasons impacted by COVID-19.