Rehoboth marathon marks 10 years of growth

As runners in the Rehoboth Beach Seashore Marathon and Half Marathon arrived in Rehoboth Dec. 1 to pick up their packets, Rehoboth could not have put on a better show. The avenue sparkled with bright lights, restaurants brimmed with runners and their families and friends, and a nearly full super moon hung in the sky over the ocean.

About 500 runners participated in the inaugural race in 2008. This year's race welcomed more than 2,600 finishers, almost a thousand of them taking on the full 26.2 miles. With the sun rising behind them, they ran through Rehoboth's quiet streets and into Cape Henlopen State Park, a ribbon of bright colors that wove itself along the beach and frosty marsh.

There are an estimated 42 million runners nationwide, yet research shows the running boom has peaked, with the total number of runners competing ebbing in the last two years. Not in Rehoboth.

Rehoboth marathon founder Mary Beth Evans of Rehoboth Beach Running Co. and Tim Bamforth of Seashore Striders have stayed ahead of the curve. With hard work and savvy marketing, they continue to forge partnerships, from hotels and restaurants to Dogfish Head beer, stamping the race with local flavor.

Known not only for its flat, fast and scenic course, the races also offer a friendly, small-town welcome and a lively post-race party. That all combines to create a memorable, one-of-a-kind experience – essential for keeping runners returning and attracting new competitors.

Perhaps even more than our region's other fall events, from jazz festival to Sea Witch and the film festival, the marathon draws attendees from across the nation. It showcases our area's natural beauty while boosting hotel, restaurant and retail sales, providing a great economic uptick and a shot of adrenaline for runners and supporters.

Congratulations to event organizers, their army of volunteers and all participants who together have made Rehoboth Beach Seashore Marathon a premier Cape Region event.