Rehoboth Seashore Marathon attracts 3,400 runners
An event that’s become a half- and full-marathon extravaganza and a must on one’s bucket list took place Dec. 6, as the Rehoboth Beach Seashore Marathon left the Nation’s Summer Capital trademark Bandstand at 7 a.m. sharp.
The event sold out a month early at 3,400 participants and hosted 10% fewer at the Fourth Street finish line, as runners and walkers were announced for six straight hours as they crossed the line representing a record 47 states. It was a December weekend that used to be ghostly empty but has turned into a winter Labor Day weekend with hotels maxed out within a 10-mile radius, restaurants full throughout town, traffic filling the roads and parking spots maxed out.
The Don Mitchell fire horn sounded at 7 a.m., and the elite runners out front flew off the line. Phillip Duncan of New York, a previous winner in the marathon, took the early lead on Rehoboth Avenue, breezing through the opening mile in 5:04 and two miles in 10:15. The split at 4.5 miles near Gordons Pond took the marathoners to Lewes through Herring Point, Fort Miles and out the Lewes entrance to Cape Henlopen State Park, turning around on the trail at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. The marathoners followed the same way back to Gordons Pond before jumping back on the half-marathon course. Amazingly, the lead marathoners caught the end of the half-marathon pack at 18 miles, which was only the five-mile mark for the half-marathon.
Taking the lead before the halfway mark and holding it through the finish was Schuyler Reed of Newark in an unofficial half-marathon course record of 1:08:35. Lindsay Hayman of Newark won the female half-marathon in 1:17:56.
Stephen Beaman of South Orange, N.J., ran the marathon in 2:34:21 to win by almost three minutes, while Olivia Magagna of Lancaster, Pa., won the female marathon by almost 11 minutes in 2:50:26.
Only one local won their age group in either event, as Mary Kessler of Harbeson won the 75-79 group in 1:58:48.
Local Cape Henlopen graduate Mel McCloy of New York ran 3:23:37 for seventh in her age group in her first marathon. When Mel was in eighth grade at Beacon Middle, she was on a nationally ranked 4-by-800 relay team that ran 11:08 to beat a tough Tatnall team at Mt. Pleasant High School at the McKinnon Invitational. That team was anchored by Logan Shuttleworth. Logan was waiting for Mel at the finish line Saturday.
Another connection to me was a fifth-place finish in the half by my niece Bella Baray, who averaged 8:30 per mile for an impressive 1:51 finish.
The event is organized and produced by the Rehoboth Beach Running Company and Seashore Striders. Marybeth Evans is the race organizer/director and I am the race director.
Marathon fun facts
The event consumed 425 gallons of water, 67 cases of Gatorade and used 30,000 cups. A shout out goes to the more than 100 water stop volunteers who put in between three to seven hours in cold, early morning weather. Those groups included: the Fireballs, the Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park, the Seashore Striders cross country team, the Seashore Striders/Grove Club, the Sussex Tech cross country team, the Cape Henlopen Honor Society and the Cape Henlopen Morgan’s Message Club.
According to my water stop coordinator Bee Linzey, if you do the math, the volunteers poured about 11,000 cups of Gatorade and 19,000 cups of water.
Cape cross country
The state champion Cape Henlopen boys’ cross country team was honored this week in the Sussex County Council Chambers as a proclamation was read for the boys and coaches. It is nice that Sussex County recognizes its state championship teams and coaches for the hard work and dedication that are put in to win a state title.
I coached three state championship track teams in the early ’90s, well before Sussex County started honoring, and I remember for my outdoor teams I went to a few local, well-known businesses who donated money to buy the boys a jacket. For the indoor team, I honored the five boys with a Happy Meal and they got to keep the toy, and then a jog on Monday after school to Lewes Beach for a dip in the cold ocean with the DIAA trophy nestled in the sand.
Double 5K dose
This weekend will be a double post-marathon 5K weekend.
First up, the third annual Ugly Sweater 5K will start from the Cape Henlopen State Park fishing pier at 9 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 13, with plenty of holiday spirit in this event. Find that ugly sweater and come on down for a 5K walk or jog while enjoying a post-race holiday celebration with a cup of hot cocoa.
Then, beginning at 10 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 14, the Striders will host the Sussex County youth group Let Us Run from several elementary schools countywide for the 20th annual Run With Santa 5K from the main beach parking lot in Cape Henlopen State Park. How many Santas and Mrs. Clauses can we get on the starting line?
Register for both events at www.seashorestriders.com.
