Surfin’ Snowman 5-Miler comes to Bethany Dec. 28
The Inaugural Surfin' Snowman 5-Miler, presented by Miken Builders, will kick off at noon, Saturday, Dec. 28, in Bethany Beach with the running of a 5-mile race and a Santa's Helper 2-mile family run/walk challenge. The 5-mile event will complete a double loop in town before making a turnaround at the 4.65-mile mark and heading north to the boardwalk for the festive grand finish. The 2-mile event will complete a single loop with a boardwalk finish as well.
Custom awards will be presented to the overall, masters, and top three finishers in each age group. To register for the Surfin' Snowman, go to www.seashorestriders.com or www.surfinsnowman.com.
Proceeds benefit the Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Company and Justin’s Beach House.
Race into the New Year 5K
The final Seashore Striders event of the year will take place at noon, Tuesday, Dec. 31 at the Rehoboth Beach Running Company in Rehoboth Beach. The Race into the New Year 5K will be an out & back course from Lake Avenue to Oak Avenue to Surf Avenue and onto the Boardwalk for the 1.55-mile turnaround. Registration at $25 per entry will take place on race day from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. at the RBRC. Preregistration is open online at www.seashorestriders.com through 6 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 29.
The event will kick off at 11:50 a.m. with the annual running of the 12 & under kids' 1/4- mile dash. Awards will be presented to the top three finishers in age groups from 9 & under through 70 & over. Stop by the RBRC to register through Dec. 29 and grab a bite at event sponsor Catcher's Restaurant, which will provide pancakes to all runners at the post-race gathering.
Sonja Friend-Uhl places third at nationals
Delaware native and Cape Henlopen graduate Sonja Friend-Uhl, 42, finished third overall and second in the 40-44 age group at the USA Track & Field National Club Cross Country Championships in Bend, Ore. Sonja ran the challenging and cold 6K course in a time of 24:52, averaging a 6:41 pace to lead the Atlanta Track Club. Sonja is living and training in Brentwood, Tenn., just outside of Nashville. Gwen Lapham of Seattle, Wash., won the race in 24:35, while Lisa Nye of Oregon was second in 24:45. Sonja has achieved more in the sports of track & field, cross country, and road racing in her post-high school years than any other Cape graduate, and to be racing at her level at age 42 is quite impressive. The more impressive part of the puzzle is that she is also a wife, a mom, and works full time during the week, while also coaching a few teams along the way. Way to go, Sonja. Congratulations!
Snowball 5K
One hundred twenty runners showed up Dec. 15 at Cape Henlopen State Park for the annual Snowball Run, and it lived up to its name with cold and windy conditions. Longtime elite racer Doug Mock, formerly out of Salisbury, won the race in 17:13, while Jen Cawthern ran away with the female title in 20:48. There was a warm feeling in the air, though, as the runners brought 140 canned good items for the Seashore Striders' food drive for needy families. Thank you all!
Upcoming races
Noon, Saturday, Dec. 28, Inaugural Surfin' Snowman 5-Miler & Santa’s Helper 2-Miler, Bethany Beach, www.surfinsnowman.com.
Noon, Tuesday, Dec. 31, Race into the New Year 5K, Rehoboth Beach Running Company, Rehoboth Beach, www.seashorestriders.com.
9:30 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 1, Hair of the Dog 5K & 10K, Bethany Beach, www.races2run.com.
