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Rehoboth Marathon showcases the running mecca of Coastal Sussex

December 5, 2017

Economic impact - The Rehoboth Beach Seashore Marathon, marking its 10th anniversary, handled 3,000 runners. Let’s average that out to $70 per runner for entry fees, totalling $210,000 of working capital. The athletes run alone; it is not a team sport, but most travel with families and stay the weekend somewhere close by, certainly east of Millsboro. The economic impact is huge and shows off the coastal community. So do the Slam Dunk basketball tournament, the Beach Blast girls’ lacrosse tournament and the DIAA Wrestling State Championships that return to Cape again this February. All the events taken together show energy and vibrancy along with a positivity and thankfulness for living here or just visiting a beautiful place and being surrounded by such nice people. Puerto Rican Poet in Residence Sen. Ernie Lopez spoke to the runners before the Rehoboth fire truck went beep beep to start the race: “Turn around and look at the sun rising over the beautiful ocean. We are all so lucky to be here together today.” Forty years after the inaugural Lewes Seashore Marathon with 300 runners, there is a trail system through state park lands connecting Lewes and Rehoboth. We have become a running Mecca, so bow down toward the east three times a day, reciting a Bugs Bunny prayer of thanks, “Salami-Salami-Bologna.” 

Make it, take it - I watched the Cape’s boys’ basketball team lose its Friday night opener at home to Smyrna 64-55, and the major damage was done in the third quarter when the Eagles dropped a 25-6 crooked number on Cape. I don’t know what to make of it or take away from the game, but if I were a sports psychologist I’d say Cape as a group is too sensitive to shifts in momentum – the storms and stresses that occur when two teams of talent face off for 48 minutes of action. I’d say the team needs more toughness or the result will be a dull, normal season of a little better than average. “Attitude is the father of the action.” Let’s face it, a bad attitude wins games, “Not in my house! Not today!”

Reckless abandonment - The Cape girls’ basketball team of coach Lauren Carra has great chemistry but low numbers this season, after some key players decided not to come out but rather concentrate on their primary sport, which is great, and best of luck to them. The Vikings won their opener on the road at Smyrna 48-22 behind 16 points from Sydney Pedersen, 11 from Niyashja Mosley and nine from Alexis Watkins. Cape is back home Tuesday, Dec. 5, versus Sussex Central, which lost 42-40 to Caesar Rodney in its opener. This will be a fun team to watch, but they can’t afford an injury. Staying healthy will be the key. 

Snippets - Congratulations to Damon Ayers, the newly installed head coach of Sussex Tech boys’ basketball, for the Ravens’ opening 69-62 home win over the Dover Senators. The Ravens were 5-15 last season and will play next at Polytech Friday, Dec. 8. Middle school sports begin play this week, and that is another world of gyms filled with parents. The best news is basketball games and wrestling matches are late afternoon and over before dinnertime, what used to be called supper. The Philadelphia Eagles are 10-2 with four games to play, after the lackluster 24-10 Sunday night loss at Seattle, which was helpful for any fans who have trouble falling asleep. The Eagles play at the 9-3 LA Rams this Sunday. The playoffs have actually begun. It’s time for Philly to win a money game. Delaware Valley University All-American safety Shawn Miller (Laurel) had 15 tackles versus Brockport, but a 33-yard field goal as time expired sent the Golden Eagles to the semifinals of the Division III NCAA tournament with a 31-28 victory. The Aggies closed the season 13-1. Cape’s Sammy Mohr, a two-year starter, played in his last college football game. Victor Rueda (Sussex Tech) finished his junior season of cross country at Goldey Beacom College as the Lightning’s top runner. Great kid moving toward graduation is an inspirational story. A college degree is great, but if it has no relevance to an actual job, plan on more college until you have a degree that is marketable or you are networked, and I’m not talking Facebook and Twitter. By the way, I have a degree in anthropology, which helps me understand my friends who have just recently discovered how to use simple tools. Go on now, git!

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