Racing series honors volunteers at Last Blast

Last weekend at Grove Park, the Seashore Striders finished up the 25th annual racing series dating back to 1990. For the past quarter century, two runners in particular, Davis Landis and Peter Tracey, have qualified for the championship series by racing in at least five 5Ks and one 5-miler each summer. The dedication to the series this pair has shown is impressive and inspiring. Years ago, I remember Peter on a case out west, taking a break from the courtroom, flying all night into BWI and driving to the starting line so he could keep his streak going. Peter is no stranger to streaks, as he also has completed nearly 30 consecutive Caesar Rodney Half-Marathons dating back to the hilly course of 1985.

“A streak is something to be proud of and, if you can get it done, my philosophy is to go for it,” said Tracey.

Landis commutes back and forth to Maryland as he owns a restaurant. With all the driving he does, it’s a wonder he can keep his training up during the week. Landis not only qualified for the series this year, but he completed all 13 events in the series and was recognized with the other all-13 runners.

Last Saturday's Last Blast Prediction 5K took off from Grove Park. It's a race Tracey has won several times, as he is well known as an excellent predictor of his time in an event where watches, mile markers and luck are not allowed.

The race finished up, and it was not until halfway through the awards ceremony that I realized Peter was not at the race. Then many runners began asking the question, “Where’s Peter?” The joke was that he was hanging out with Waldo.

We announced him, recognized him and everyone cheered for the runner who was nowhere to be found.

It was about 11 a.m. when my phone rang, and sure enough it was Peter. “Well, I lost the prediction race because I predicted the race was Sunday morning and not Saturday.” Peter was up in New York City at a professional soccer game and planned to drive to Rehoboth after the game to be at the race on Sunday. Except that didn’t happen! I told Peter I had his awards. He was knocking on my door within the hour. “These awards mean a lot to me, and I had to come over to pick them up,” he said. Peter will never forget missing the series awards ceremony; I guess that streak is gone if we are keeping track. I am sure Peter will not let this prediction mistake happen again.

Summer volunteers

Rick Hughes of Davidsville, Md., was recognized as one of the many volunteers of the Striders Series, and in addition to an award plaque, he was presented with the New Balance No. 1 Volunteer Award and a new pair of training shoes. Rick is a dedicated volunteer with computer knowledge and race-scoring knowledge that have been positive additions to Striders events. Linda Schwartz-Chi won the annual Hank Brittingham Volunteer of the Year Award, and summer volunteers Jean Kiefer, Jane Boyd and Alyssa Simon were recognized. Joey Kwit, Roxy Castillo, Alberto Castillo and Fredman were also recognized for their dedication to the series.

Bob G. Porter

Last Friday morning as I worked with my man Half-Pint Stockley in his shop finishing up a memorial stone for the late Mary Masser, wife of legendary Dr. Lee Masser, we got to talking about the Striders back in the day. Well, you can’t talk about the races from 15 to 20 years ago without mentioning Bob G. Porter - and the G stands for Groovin’ at the Grove. Half turned to me and said, “Let’s go find him.” So off we went to Ellendale and tracked down Bob and Pauline Porter and a yapping “chopper” for a great one-hour conversation and a lot of memories and laughs. Bob raced with the Striders and then became the head timer before chip-timing was popular. Bob and Pauline also had their own business called Run-a-Round 4U. Bob and I started the Grove Club more than 20 years ago, which is still going strong every Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. in Rehoboth Beach, having never missed a week. Rehoboth running would not be where it is today without people from the early years of the Striders like Bob G. Porter.

Bottle & Cork 10

The popular Bottle & Cork 10-miler will be held Saturday, Sept. 12, beginning at 8 a.m. in Dewey Beach, while the Lake Forest Cross Country Festival will kick off the high school cross country season at Killens Pond State Park. On Sunday, The Cannonball 5K will begin at 8:30 a.m. from the Lewes Historical Society at the end of Second Street in Lewes. Go to seashorestriders.com to get registered before Saturday at 6 p.m. Sussex County has lots of great fundraisers, and before you jump in a boat on the canal, don’t forget this great local event, and why not run first and paddle second and support both.