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Race4Warriors battles the elements at Cape Henlopen State Park

Annual race still held; other events canceled due to rain
Woodbridge Marine JROTC William Smith helps maintain the finish line for Race4Warriors. AARON MUSHRUSH PHOTOS
Aaron R. Mushrush
May 21, 2022

When it rains and an armed forces member is deployed in the Middle East, it may be a welcome change in the weather, but there is no change in the duty of that warrior. When it rains and an armed forces member is back home, but has no roof above their head, that weather change may be less welcome and there is little shelter from the precipitation, no matter the rank or amount of service. The active-duty member and the veteran in both cases must endure the weather in order to persevere. 

Race4Warriors held its annual race May 14 to honor those who have served in the Middle East and also provide support for wounded warriors and homeless veterans. The annual race, held during Military Appreciation Month at Cape Henlopen State Park, was slated to be an all-day affair featuring a cornhole tournament and concert, but the rain would not accommodate such moisture-risk activities. Nonetheless CMSgt. (Ret.) Michael Bellorose and his team managed to keep morale high and held a 5K and half marathon. 

The Sussex Central Army JROTC and the Woodbridge Marines JROTC were on the scene in full gear to facilitate the race. Going even further with the gear were some Delaware National Guard members who opted to run the half marathon with their packed rucks accompanying them. Jonathan Guy of Felton was advised that his bag weighed at least 30 pounds while Benni Gomez of Wilmington was told his bag had to weigh 50 pounds. 

Guy and Gomez both volunteered for deployment and will be departing for Kuwait around the end of December.

For more information about Race4Warriors or how to donate, go to race4warriors.org.

 

Full-time Delaware National Guard Eric Nutto from Georgetown finished first-place overall in the half marathon with a time of 2:34:29.
Avid military supporter Jennifer Griggs from Roebling, N.J., took home first place in the women’s division with a time of 2:49:45.
Justine Daugherty drove down from Trenton, N.J., and was handed a customized dog tag by Woodbridge Marine JROTC PFC James Robinson as she crossed the finish line.
Roger Sutton made the trek from Steamboat Rock, Iowa, to compete in the race.
Cathy Sutton celebrates a successful half marathon. Sutton had open-heart surgery six years ago and ran the race with a pacemaker.
National Guardsman Jonathan Guy of Felton crosses the finish line in a strong way after running 13.1 miles with at least 30 pounds on his back.
Benni Gomez, a National Guardsman from Wilmington, competed with a minimum of 50 pounds strapped to his back – all 13.1 miles.
Shown are (l-r) William Smith, James Robinson, Lester James, Jason Smith, Carson Greenlee, Levi Shockley, Alyssa Stoltz, Michael Dunker, Garth Shannon, Michael R. Bellerose, Ryan Vanderpool, Ed Hartwell, Dan Mitchell, Mark Stevenson, Dylan Taylor and Ben Nichols

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Aaron Mushrush joined the sports team in Summer 2023 to help cover the emerging youth athletics scene in the Cape Region. After lettering in soccer and lacrosse at Sussex Tech, he played lacrosse at Division III Eastern University in St. David's, PA. Aaron coached lacrosse at Sussex Tech in 2009 and 2011. Post-collegiately, Mush played in the Eastern Shore Summer Lacrosse League for Blue Bird Tavern and Saltwater Lacrosse. He competed in several tournaments for the Shamrocks Lacrosse Club, which blossomed into the Maryland Lacrosse League (MDLL). Aaron interned at the Coastal Point before becoming assistant director at WMDT-TV 47 ABC in 2017 and eventually assignment editor in 2018. 

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