Live racing slowly returning to the Cape Region

After a year with very limited racing, the road race scene is slowly coming back as many charities, sponsors and runners are eager to get back to normal in 2021. This past weekend, the Seashore Striders hosted a live and virtual event, the Shamrock Shuffle 10-Miler & 5K, at Cape Henlopen State Park, attracting nearly 200 entries.

Taking a look at the age-group champions, several runners turned in decent performances, especially for some who haven’t raced in nearly two years.

Nolan Furlong of Lewes turned in a time of 23:49 to win the boys’ 9 & under division, while sister Nora, just 5, won the girls’ 9 & under. Milo Long of Kensington, Md., won the boys’ 10-13 age group in 23:12, while Gianna Eastridge of Chantilly, Va., ran 28:42 on the female side. Quincy Long of Kensington, Md., won the boys’ 14-19 age group in 20:38, while Paige West of Millsboro won the girls’ race in 27:29. In the male 20-29 age group, it was local Steven Eshelman of Millsboro winning in 19:36, while Kelly Kolanowski of Brinklow, Md., ran 25:08 on the female side. Quinn Smith of Rehoboth Beach ran 21:44 to capture the male 30-39 group, while Holly West from Millsboro ran 27:30 to win the female side. Jim Hehn of Andreas, Pa., ran 25:42 to win the male 40-49, while Alison Houck of Lewes won the female side in 27:39. In the 50-59 division, it was Stig Blomkvest of Cape May, N.J., winning in 22:51, while Tracey Hansell of Lewes ran 26:47. Richard Boyle of Frankford won the male 60-69 group in 22:49, while Debbie Blair of Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., ran 25:51 to win the female title. Woody Disharoon of Laurel won the 70-79 age group with a time of 28:36, while Carol Kolmerten of Catonsville, Md., ran 44:33 for the win. Jamie Wollard of Rockville, Md., won the 80 & over in a time of 57:51.

Taking a look at the 10-mile age-group champions, Darrin Widger of Pennsville, N.J., won the male 20-29 age group in 1:12:41, while Terra Eby of Greenwood won the female side in 1:27:57.

Local and much-improved Bryan Mack of Rehoboth won the 30-39 group in 1:06:00, while Shields teacher Meghan Catts won the female side in 1:27:54. Harlen Jones of Estell Manor, N.J., won the male 40-49 in 1:06:14, while Lisa Ruschman of Milton won the 40-49 female group in 1:35:54.  Local fitness trainer Paul Timmons of Rehoboth won the 50-59 group in 1:16:23, while Jackie Quigley of Georgetown won the 50-59 female group in 1:23:31. Rob Hoy of Chalfont, Pa., won the 60-69 group in 1:15:57, while Cecily Fisher of Lewes won the 60-69 female group in 1:27:37. Frank Whittington of Middletown won the 70 & over in 1:36:35.

St. Patrick’s Day 5K in Denton

The annual St. Patrick’s Day 5K will be held in Denton, Md., this Saturday, March 20, beginning at 9 a.m. from the Caroline County Parks & Recreation Department, 107 South 4th St. Several runners in the Sussex County area regularly make a trip west to take part in the event. This is the 13th annual race. The event was developed to help raise money so families could afford to send their children to summer camp and programs. The race route is an out-and-back 5K course through the streets of historic Denton, Md., while the 1-mile fun walk will also do an out-and-back course.

Awards will go to the male and female overall and masters winners, and the top 3 in 10-year age groups. For more race information, go to seashorestriders.com. 

Cape track & field

Cape track & field opens with Sussex Tech Monday, March 22, at Legends Stadium in Lewes beginning at 3:30 p.m. with field events and 4 p.m. with running events. The Cape girls have 30 on a talented young team, while the boys easily have 60 athletes. The Cape Unified track & field team will also compete this year in the 100, 400, shot put, long jump and a relay. For those who do not know it, track & field is one of the few sports on the high school level where there are no officials for the dual meets. Dual meets are run by volunteer parents, general public and the coaching staff. If anyone in the Cape community would like to help out at our three home meets this year, the program would be glad to have you.

Cape Track & Field Clinic

The second session of Cape Henlopen Track Camp I will be held this Sunday morning, March 21, at Cape Henlopen High School’s Legends Stadium with the elementary camp going off at 9 a.m., and the middle and high school camp going off at 11 a.m. The elementary camp is for athletes in kindergarten through fifth grade, while the middle and high school camp is for athletes in sixth through 12th grade. A total of 83 athletes attended the first session last week, which was taught by the Cape girls’ track & field team. The Cape girls’ program will be hosting two other clinics this season – one in April and one in May. Registration will open for the third and fourth clinics this week.