Cape Gazette holds second annual 5K

More than 150 runners cruised through Nassau Valley Vineyards May 11 as part of the second annual Cape Gazette Run & Fun Fest 5K outside Lewes. NICK ROTH PHOTOS

Tim Bamforth

May 17, 2024

Just under 200 participants turned out for the second annual Cape Gazette Run & Fun Fest 5K, with proceeds benefiting the Harry K Foundation. Jonathan Murphy of Salisbury, Md., won the overall title in 17:19, while local regular Matt Sparacino of Harrington was second in 18:07, capturing the male masters title. Melissa Wiley’s car automatically takes her to the Seashore Striders’ starting line, as the Ocean City, Md. resident ran 20:41 for 10th overall and another overall female title. Local Meryl Ludwig of Rehoboth Beach won the female masters title in 24:13. The course took runners through the Nassau Valley Vineyards before heading to the popular Lewes-to-Georgetown Trail for the out-and-back route. A festival followed the run, where folks enjoyed food trucks, bouncy houses, crafts and an assortment of vendors filling up the day.

The Blizzard Run

Everyone loves to run for ice cream, so why not make this Sunday a Blizzard day? The DQ Dash 5K will begin at 9 a.m., Sunday, May 19, at Dairy Queen in Lewes. The event raises money for the Fourth of July fireworks and is headed by organizer Ashley Diehl, who does a superb job all the way around.

A cool T-shirt design, large 4-inch medals and mini Blizzards at the finish are some of the highlights of the DQ Dash. This event has grown in popularity faster than most area races. The dash began in 2018 with just over 100 participants. In 2019, it grew to 121. After taking a break due to COVID, the dash returned in 2021 with a nice field of 236 participants. 2022 was the breakthrough year when we partnered with the boys’ Let Me Run group of Sussex County and the dash was used as the organization’s final 5K run. The race attracted 318 participants. In 2023, the dash attracted 348. This time around, things are looking good again, with 307 registered through Wednesday evening and 350 anticipated for race day. The DQ Dash has become the kickoff 5K of the summer and just continues to grow each year.

Unsung hero

I’ve been involved in Cape track and field since 1982, and I just want to give a shoutout to Cape High junior Cardin Benjamin. This young man peaked at the right time and may have had one of the best meets in school history. Cape has always been a dominant force in distance races, known for having gutsy, talented runners who step up when it counts. Benjamin did not win an event at the Henlopen Conference Championships, but here’s what he did. On Friday, Benjamin split 1:57 on the 4-by-800 relay to help his Vikings to a second-place finish, and, more importantly, came back in the 3,200 to finish fourth in 10:05. When the rain-delayed meet continued on Monday, Benjamin ran another PR in the 1,600 in 4:25 to finish fourth, while in his fourth and final event, the 800 meters, he grabbed his third fourth-place finish in a time of 1:59.

As an old Cape distance runner, I have been very close with and respected so many distance runners at Cape, but I just want to shake this guy‘s hand because he had one incredible meet. If he is not the unsung hero of the meet, I don’t know who is.

eRace the Stigma 5K

The Seashore Striders traveled to Salisbury, Md., for a Friday evening 5K at Salisbury City Park May 10. The 5K run was just a small part of the popular mental health festival that brings together so much of the community. More than 1,000 folks showed up for the festival and just under 100 took part in the run and walk. Kirk Ingold of Salisbury won the male overall title in 22:19, while Keely Wells of Laurel won the female overall title in 22:46. Kevin Riser of Berlin, Md., ran 23:54 to win the male masters championship, while Christina Gray of Salisbury won the female masters title in a time of 34:37. Harlan Eagle, organizer of the popular Salisbury-based Tim Kennard 10-Miler, was the race coordinator here as well.

Jonathan Murphy, 34, of Salisbury, Md., makes his way toward the finish line. He won the race with a time of 17:19.

Matt Sparacino, 46, of Harrington heads to the front of the pack early in the race. He finished second overall and won the male masters title with a time of 18:07.

Luis Xavier Aguirre, 28, of Georgetown, left, and Tim Young, 64, of Rehoboth Beach hit the final stretch through Nassau Commons.

Aydin Jones, 14, of Bridgeville cruises to a time of 23:50.

Quade Cummings, 14 of Milford, left, and Kihara Ngido, 14, of Lewes run in stride through Nassau Valley Vineyards early in the race.

Melissa Wiley, 38, of Ocean City, Md., center, gets to the front early. She won the women’s title with a time of 20:41. Keeping pace are Hayley Britt, 13, of Selbyville, left, and Sean Norris, 32, of Lewes.

Lorikay Paden, 56, of Lewes carries a YMCA flag.

Chris Stanley, 55, of Fruitland, Md., heads to the finish line. He finished with a time of 22:35, good enough for second in his age group.