Kicking off a 12-month fitness challenge

During the COVID year when all races were virtual, I organized two challenges. The first was an individual challenge in April 2020 called the Coronavirus 6-Pack Racing Series. A total of 227 runners took part in this challenge. Each person had to complete runs of one mile, 5K, five miles, 10K, 10 miles and half marathon. We added the performances together for a final time. We donated $10,333 to 10 nonprofits, led by the Beebe Healthcare COVID-19 Relief Fund at $2,550. Nick Cruz and Josie Ledford won the overall titles, while Mike Sewell and Melissa Batie won the masters titles.

In May 2020, 240 runners participated in the COVID-19 Team Challenge. This challenge had a bit of a twist, as three participants made up a team and each team member had to handle two of the same distances that the first challenge offered. There were four categories of male, female, coed and K9. Each participant also had to complete a volunteer piece to qualify. Participants lived in 21 states and Germany. The challenge raised $6,000 for five local charities, increasing the total the Seashore Striders raised to more than $18,000 in less than seven weeks.

The Challenge

Here we go with another challenge for 2023, which will last all year. The Seashore Strider Challenge of 2023 is a 100-by-12 format that began Jan. 1, but there is no deadline to enter and you can join whenever you want throughout the year. Here is how it works: Register via the link at seashorestriders.com for an entry fee of $1. Complete 100 miles per month for a total of 1,200 miles for the year. At the end of each month, each participant donates $10 – you may also donate up front for the whole year to make it easier – for a total annual donation of $120. If you do not reach 100 miles in a month, you have to go back online and make an additional donation. For most regular runners and walkers, the challenge should be easy, but we all know Mother Nature will be a factor at some point along the line and consistency is the key to being healthy. The 100 miles may comprise running, walking, biking, swimming and indoor rowing. The four beneficiaries at the end of the year include Beebe Medical Foundation, Sussex Family YMCA, Cape Henlopen Food Basket and Humane Animal Partners. As of Thursday morning, the challenge has attracted 102 participants from 10 states and has already raised more than $5,200. Join the Striders on a fitness journey for a cause.

This challenge will be easy for most runners, but it will be difficult for someone like myself with sore knees and a sore back. I know I can’t run 1,200 miles in a year anymore. Flashback to college when in 1989 I ran 1,200 miles in 12 weeks with my Delaware State teammates. Those days are long gone. With the addition of walking, biking, swimming and rowing, the challenge will be achievable for all ages. It will be a challenge for me, but I am going to give it a go. I figure it cannot do anything but help me and others stay healthy throughout the year. Here is one of my favorite quotes: “Time and health are two precious assets that we don’t recognize and appreciate until they have been depleted.” – Denis Waitley.

Let’s do this, Cape runners!

Snow Hill meet wrap-up

In the team scoring, the Golden Knights of Sussex Central finished third with 52 points, while Sussex Academy was fourth with 40 points on the boys’ side. Sussex Academy was third on the girls’ side with 50 points, while Milford was fourth with 43 points. Sussex Academy runner Lily Bowe won the 3,200 meters in 12:04, while teammate Katya Geyer was close behind in second in 12:21. Brett Parker ran a personal best of 10:41 to win the boys’ 3,200 meters. The Sussex Academy boys won the 1,600-meter relay in 3:54. Cape’s Ben Clifton was second in the 800 meters in 2:09, while Addison Bowman won the pole vault at 8-feet-6-inches. Alivia Longo won the triple jump at 28-feet-3-inches. Sussex Central’s Tatiana Kelsic won the 55-meter dash in 7.56 and the long jump in 16-4. Timothy Wright won the boys’ 55-meter dash in 6.64 and the long jump with a huge distance of 23-0 on his second attempt. Thomas Williams won the high jump at 6-2. Victor Perez won the shot put at 42-8, while Kaylin Hall-Freeman won the triple jump at 38-9. The Central boys also won the 800-meter relay in 1:37. Ronin Mozingo of Sussex Tech was second in the triple jump at 37-5.