A trio of races highlights busy running weekend
Three races in three days in three towns made up last weekend’s Seashore Striders Triple Crown Race Series. The three-pack began with the 21st Georgetown Library 5K June 13. It continued June 14, at Hudson Fields with the second Paul Kares Rock & Roll 5K, and finished June 15, with the 35th Father’s Day 5K in Rehoboth Beach.
A total of 81 runners and walkers took part in the Georgetown Library 5K, which was won by 33-year-old Robert Ide of Germantown, Md., in a time of 18:21. Arina Varrato, 19, of Georgetown won the female title in 22:35. Rick Hughes, 55, of Columbia, Md., won the male masters race in 19:57, while Tanya Karaman of Smyrna ran 24:06 to win the female masters division. Proceeds benefitted the Friends of the Georgetown Library.
The Rock & Roll 5K saw 42 runners head out onto Hudson Fields along Route 1 for the out-and-back course. Hughes took the overall championship in 20:44, while Jamie Hicks of Milford ran 23:38 for the female title. Mike Sewell of Lewes won the male masters race in 23:11, while Jennifer Stretch of Lewes ran 26:59 to win the female masters division.
"All the proceeds from this event go toward our workshop series for children,” said organizer Michael Whitehouse. Paul Kares is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging and educating kids who show an interest and passion for the culinary and musical arts.
The grand finale of the weekend was the running of the Father’s Day 5K in Rehoboth Beach, where a field of 409 runners and walkers started and finished at the iconic Bandstand location.
Pierce Conlon, 36, of Wilmington cruised across the finish line all alone in 16:50 for the win, while 38-year-old Eve Hoffman of Washington, D.C., took the female title in 19:46. Matt Sparacino of Harrington defended his masters title in 17:57, while Lisa Sherman ran 22:20 to win the female masters race. Sparacino ran 18:07 at the 2024 race.
The race brought 408 runners and walkers from 18 states to the Nation’s Summer Capital. Many families stayed the weekend in local hotels and bed & breakfasts, while dining in restaurants and spending money on the Boardwalk. The economic impact may not benefit one business, but the city as a whole. Events that bring people from all over the country to our local city show the city is alive and well.
It is the truth that years ago when I started in 1990, families would vacation to Rehoboth Beach and jump in a 5K race if there was one, but now that the area is a mecca for foot races, families choose their race and build a vacation around it. Festivals, fairs and concerts frequently get canceled due to weather, but as I lined up 400 Father’s Day runners and walkers in the rain, I thought to myself, “These are dedicated runners to Striderville – even in the rain.”
New Balance Nationals
Cape’s Jason Baker will take part in the two-mile race at the New Balance Nationals at historic Franklin Field in Philadelphia, while Ryan Moody of Milton and Sussex Academy will run the 1-mile. Sam Schubert of Lewes and Fred Thomas Middle will take part in the 100-meter and 200-meter trials. I am sure more downstate athletes are competing, but if coaches do not promote their athletes, I have no way of knowing. Good luck to all the national qualifiers!
