David Landis ends 29-year streak

Back in 1991, local runner David Landis began racing in the Seashore Striders Summer Racing Series. Landis then went 29 years straight qualifying for the summer series awards by completing at least five 5K races and one five-miler every summer. He began in the 30-34 age group and is now in the 55-59 age group, which is pretty amazing. Throughout the streak, Landis was one of the top finishers, if not the top finisher, in most of the Series Championships.   

“David and I began the series together, and it is sad to see his streak end,” said longtime competitor Peter Tracey of Washington, D.C. “The series won’t be the same in my age group without me trying to chase down David.”

Landis had a strategy of going out hard and hanging on as long as he could. Many times Tracey did not catch Landis until the late stages of the race. Landis even led most races for the first quarter- to half-mile. As the director, a race I will always remember is the Run for JJ 5K back in the days when the Seashore Striders invited an elite field. One year, Landis rounded the opening turn at the Henlopen Hotel right smack in the mix with three Kenyans and two Ethiopians fighting for the lead.

Tracey added: “The amazing thing about David is that he not only qualified for the series for nearly 30 years, but in most years he did all 13 races of the summer. Doc Masser a few years back figured David only missed five or six races.” 

David’s brother Jim would often compete as well and was always a top finisher in the age group, making the Landis brothers and Tracey a close competition once the gun fired.

“To me, Dave Landis loves and appreciates the sport of road racing, and I will always admire and respect what he accomplished,” Tracey said. “I do hope and expect to toe the starting line with David for many years to come. I’m going to miss going after him, but it’s been a good ride.”

Congratulations, David Landis.

21 complete Triple Crown

The Seashore Striders hosted its Triple Crown last weekend, consisting of three events in three days – Georgetown Library 5K June 18, Sandhill Fields 5K June 19, and Father’s Day 5K June 20. 

A total of 21 runners completed the challenge of racing in all three events. Here are the qualifiers: Pete Rosembert, James Harden, Jimmy Harden, Bennett Brumbley, Tanya Karaman, Mark Penuel, Alan Quillen, Donald Cowie, Woody Disharoon, Jennifer April, Rebekah Yanacek, Joey Kwit, Cathy Haut, Heather Marvin, Connie Marshall, Louise Holt, Jennifer Murray, Jim Marvin, Karen Eller, Roxy Castillo and Linda Marvin. Congratulations to all.

Custom visors will be handed out to the qualifiers at the Firecracker 5K Saturday, July 3.

Jungle Jim’s 5K

The popular Jungle Jim’s 5K will be held at 7:30 a.m., Saturday, June 26, at Jungle Jim’s. Limited race-day registration will be held at 6:30 a.m. It will be an out-and-back course, with runners heading out into Rehoboth Beach Country Club and returning along the same route. Registration is still open and T-shirts are limited, but guaranteed to runners who preregistered by the Monday cutoff.  Awards will be handed out to the top finishers in 16 age groups. Packet pickup will be from 4 to 6 p.m., Friday, June 25, at the New Balance store on Route 1, just north of Route 24.