The Cape Region is a unique place for running and racing, with events to choose from within a 10-mile radius of the Nation’s Summer Capital of Rehoboth Beach most every weekend of the year. We live in a place known as a running mecca, where runners and walkers move to the area for the vibrant running scene. The popular Seashore Striders Summer Series will move into its 36th season in 2026, while the Races2Run Ten Sisters Series is more than 20 years old.
Downstate Delaware is fortunate to have the Coastal Delaware Marathon in April and the Rehoboth Beach Running Club Seashore Marathon in December.
Bethany Beach puts up great numbers in the Quiet Resorts area with Focus Multisports leading the charge, while Fusion from the upstate area also produces a few events in the area.
Thousands of dollars are raised for worthy charities, and the events keep towns alive throughout the year. I tell folks all the time that Delaware leads the country in the number of road race events produced based on population. Granted Texas has more events, but it also has a higher population.
As we wrap up another Christmas holiday, this week, I have some gifts under my tree I thought I would hand out to some of my regular participants.
To Martin Rodriguez, I give a year of injury-free miles, another New Balance shoe to sell, and a few more courses to measure and mark.
To Jen Ward, I give a cool pair of high socks to go with her 32 others and another finish line to cross.
To Jack Noel, I give another year of races and a few more magic tricks.
To Richard Tikiob, I give another 70-74 age-group win and more pictures.
To Fredman, I give another 60 Striders races to shoot and another 5,000 pictures to edit and post.
To Cape cross country coach Matt Lindell, I give another team state championship.
To young Nolan Peet and Chloe Cawthern, I give another trip to the national cross country championships and another top 25 All-American honor.
To longtime runner Peter Tracey of Washington, D.C., I give another summer series qualification – his 36th in a row.
To Cape sprinter Trey Johnson, I give an indoor 55-meter or outdoor 100-meter individual state championship.
To my son Ben, I give an SEC team championship to celebrate.
To runner and friend LeeAnn Waltz, I give a healthy year and positive vibes.
To Debbie Isser, I give another state of Delaware age-group record to add to her impressive resume.
To the Beacon girls’ cross country team, I give another undefeated dual-meet season.
To Laurel runner Susan Dunn, I give a year of healthy miles and successful races.
To biker Doug Ludwig, I give a successful rehab, and a perfect working knee and shoulder.
To Joe D’Amico, I give another race to lead and field of runners that follow course directions.
To the Rehoboth-Dewey Chamber, I give another 1,000 runners and walkers in the Sea Witch Half Marathon and 5K events.
To Cape pole vaulter Will DiPaolo, I give a state championship indoors and outdoors.
To my niece Bella Baray, I give another half-marathon and this time a sub 1:50.
To my friends, the Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park, I give another water stop to manage and another cup to hand out.
To my race directing partner Mary Beth Hutton, I give another successful marathon and another 3,400 registered runners.
To Meryl Ludwig, I give an age-group win in her new 60-64 group.
To Katya Geyer of Sussex Academy, I give another high jump state championship and a 5-foot-4 jump.
To Marathon Flag Alley at Wolfe Neck, I give another flag to fly.
To runner Jules Woodall, I give another consecutive qualification of the Ten Sisters Series of Dewey Beach.
To volunteers Alyssa, Geni, Robbin, Karen and Monique, I give another dynamic registration to check in.
To my cross country coaching son Jake, I give a state qualifier.
To the Cape Gazette, I give another 52 straight weeks of running and racing columns, putting me at 1,693 consecutive weeks dating back to May 1993.
Merry Christmas to all!
