What a better cause to have a road race event for than a fire company?

A field of 289 runners and walkers turned out for the popular Rehoboth Avenue event Aug. 23. The field was one of the top three largest assembled for this particular event.

“I am just so happy that we had a record turnout, and we raised about $10,000 more than our previous best,” said organizer Chatham Marsh. “The race came together nicely, and the runners and walkers came out and supported us. We are already thinking about next year.” 

Regular racer Matt Sparacino, 48, of Harrington took the male overall title in 17:59.8, while another regular, Melissa Wiley, 40, of Ocean City, Md., won the female overall title in 20:45.5. Timothy Berargo of New Jersey won the male masters and finished fourth overall in 19:24.8, while Teri Welsh, 58, of Milton won the female masters in 23:59.7.

Rounding out the top five on the male side were Joseph Goulet, 39, of Marydel, Md., in 19:00.0; Liam Dupell, 18, of Collegeville, Pa., in 19:14.6; and Bobby Hutton, 62, of Rehoboth Beach in 19:50.5.

On the female side, Flor Duerr, 35, of Dover finished second in 21:14.6; Tereza Hubackova, 35, of Washington, D.C., grabbed third in 22:39.3; Angela Messick, 37, of Milton finished fourth in 22:46.2; and Michaela Sylves, 14, of Hockessin rounded out the top five in 23:12.1.

Boardwalk Mile

I hosted a Boardwalk mile back in the 1990s, which was a cool running event. I have also hosted many mile races over the years on Rehoboth Avenue, as well as multiple mile events at Cape Henlopen High School. For the second time in my 36-year race directing career, I will host a mile race in the water.  

The second Boardwalk Mile Open Water Ocean Swim will take place at 8 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 30, starting from either Queen Street or Grenoble Place depending on the current. There will be one wave. Awards will be presented to the overall, masters and top three finishers in eight age groups from 13U to 70+.

Rehoboth Beach Patrol will control the water safety. Proceeds will be used to continue a future scholarship in the name of Tommy “TC” Coveleski to be presented to a Rehoboth Beach lifeguard. Mandatory check-in will be at 7 a.m., with a water safety meeting with Chief Nico Caessner and Lt. Bryan Bowles at 7:30 a.m.

Cross country

I normally talk to my cross country coaching friends late at night. Not sure why it happens that way. It is not unusual for Mariner coach Kenny Riedel to call me at 11:30 p.m. to tell me his kids' splits in a 4-by-1,000-meter workout at practice.  “Hey, coach, sorry it’s almost midnight, but I have to tell you about practice today.” He knows I’m up and he knows I’m always interested.

I spoke to Cape coach Matt Lindell one late night this week. He gave me the results of a two-mile time trial, where two boys finished under 10 minutes and the rest in the low- to mid-10-minute area. For August preseason, that is just incredible. He has young talent and the Vikings are not skipping a beat from last year's senior-heavy team.  

Sometimes I have to remind myself not to call coaches so late, but sometimes that is when the best talking takes place. “Hi, coach Michelle, it’s coach B. Sorry it’s after 11, but can I ask you about the Beacon meet today?"

The Seashore Striders will be producing a handful of high school meets at Sandhill Fields in Georgetown this season involving Cape and Sussex Tech, and also middle school meets at Legends Stadium involving Beacon, Mariner and Fred Thomas.

The Lake Forest Invitational will again kick off the Henlopen Conference cross country schedule Saturday, Sept. 12, with most of the conference teams on the line.

Coaches in the Henlopen Conference are reminded that if they are hosting a home meet, it should be 3.11 miles.

I will again direct the Sussex County and Henlopen Conference Championships, and will again produce a weekly top 20 list for legitimate 5,000-meter courses. Reviewing the final list last season, eight male runners and 15 female runners in the top 20 will return. For those who want to follow high school cross country in Delaware, website4sports.com is your answer.