A great Sundance Sunday to sashay, stride and swim

The 9th annual Sundance Racing Festival 5K, half-mile swim, biathlon and mile walk all finished in the same chute on the Boardwalk at Rehoboth Avenue Sunday morning, Aug. 26. There is a bit of an “I Love Lucy “ comedic quality about throwing so many different distances into the same festival, but a combination of great weather and a staggeringly beautiful setting with a slew of volunteers and computer chip timing makes it all work.

“We’re starting to get pretty good at this,” said Race Director Tim Bamforth with a smile.

“A great day, but we sure do miss Steve [Elkins],” said Chris Beagle, representing CAMP Rehoboth, which sponsors and promotes the event.

A total of 127 runners completed the 5K, led by Martin Rodriguez, 17:22; Chris Stanley, 19:38; Bonieke Rodrigues De Azevedo, 19:54; Colin Fuchsluger, 20:20; and Charles Luband, 20:33.

Amanda Bell was the first female, in 21:21, followed by Susan Dunn, 21:35; Olivia Montini, 21:55; Paige Waterman, 22:13 and Jenny Saber, 22:14

There were 18 walk and talkers in the mile going at a sashay pace, with Ben Haer, age 7, finishing first in 11:35.

The top three males in the biathlon (half-mile swim, 5K run) were Andrew Farrell, 47, from Orlando, Fla., 30:57; Brandt Foster, 35:02; and Mayu Ovando, 35:02.

The top biathlon women were Margaret Colvin, 38:13; Diane Ward, 39:30; and Nancy Panagacos 42:20.

Ten athletes competed in the half-mile swim, led by Robb Mapou, 16:06; Tony Zeccola, 16:44; and Nicole Jassie, 17:18.

The next Seashore Striders event is the 28th annual Last Blast Prediction Run Saturday, Sept. 1, starting from Grove Park in Rehoboth Beach.