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In the early days of the running boom

March 29, 2018

I found some old photos the other day that brought back a lot of memories. Before Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach and Lewes became the running capital of Sussex County – and Delaware for that matter – there was another city where runners turned to for events in the late 1970s and 1980s.

At the start of the running boom, Seaford hosted a series of events – the Blue Jay 10K and 5K and the Delaware Biathlon. The city even hosted a series of bicycle races for a few years.

In my former life before moving to Lewes, I had a passion for organizing these types of events.

Compared to how events are handled today, we were in the Dark Ages. On our first run, we handed out popsicle sticks with numbers on them for finishing places. We used hand-held timing with recorders writing down times and runners’ numbers. We didn't have tear-off numbers.

One of our runs was interrupted by a train crossing the course, even though railroad officials had promised me they wouldn't do it.

When the late Vince Morris came to Seaford he not only coached cross country and track, he helped organize runs.

Then when Tim Bamforth of Seashore Striders got into the running management business, we hired him to run our events. I can't begin to imagine how many runs Tim has organized over the years – it has be more than 1,000.

And one of the top female runners who was always in contention for top honors in Seaford runs was Georgia Tugend. People in Lewes know her for her work with the Canalfront Park. Little do they know just how fast she was.

As the number of runs in the beach area escalated, competition for runners became to be too much and Seaford events went by the wayside.

I was bitten by the running bug in 1979 after writing a story about a Seaford man who planned to celebrate his 50th birthday by running the Marine Corps Marathon. Bill Beiser became my running friend as we participated in dozens and dozens of runs for 20 years. Others joined the group, but only one is still running. Alan Quillen, a Seaford High classmate, still participates in many events, and is well known in the beach area as a top competitor in his age group.

Being 25 years younger than Bill and needing a pretty darn fast time like 3:05, I was never able to qualify for the Boston Marathon, which he did several times.

I could never get below 3:20 in the seven marathons I ran even though I was on pace to do that several times. There was a wall – at least in my case.

I continued running – and trying to get to Boston – until 2000 when a foot injury forced me from the road to the bike.

I went to Boston to cheer on my running friends who had qualified, but never running the Boston Marathon is one of my greatest regrets.

 

Team Hoyt provides unlimited inspiration

Included in some of my old photos is one of Team Hoyt. Dick and Rick Hoyt have participated in 32 Boston marathons – running their last in 2014 – as well as more 1,000 other events, including more than 250 triathlons, 219 10Ks and more than 175 5Ks.

What makes the team so remarkable is that Rick has cerebral palsy. Since 1977, the father-and-son team has inspired untold numbers of runners and spectators.

I ran beside the team on two occasions during a Marine Corps Marathon and New York City Marathon back in the 1980s. I'm sure many other local runners have had the same experience.

 

 

 

  • Ron MacArthur has lived and worked in Sussex County all his life. As a journalist for nearly 50 years, he has covered everything from county and town meetings to presidential visits. He also has a unique perspective having served as an elected official and lived on both sides of the county.

    Contact Ron at ronm@capegazette.com

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