Ben Bamforth, 13, wins Sea Witch 5K

Two hundred fifteen participants, many dressed for Halloween and many dressed for Thanksgiving and some dressed as a combination of both, took to the streets in Rehoboth Beach for the make-up Sea Witch Fall 5K Classic. Ben Bamforth, 13, an eighth-grader at Beacon Middle School, won the overall title and his first in Rehoboth Beach with a time of 18:43, while 28-year-old Jeremy Lambert of Newark was second in 18:50. Breck Vanderwende of Bridgeville was third in 18:55.

“I tried to go with Ben, but he was too strong in the middle mile and he just hung on for the win,” said Vanderwende.

Christopher Stanley of Fruitland, Md. won the male masters in 19:09, while Wendy Rogers of Annapolis, Md. won the female masters in 21:32. Mallory Matusevich of Frederica won the female overall title in 20:49.

Full results can be found at www.seashorestriders.com.

Seashore Marathon

Just two weeks out, the annual Seashore Marathon will again be in Rehoboth Beach with a record field of 1,900 participants in both the 13.1-mile distance and the full 26.2-mile distance. The Rehoboth Beach Running Company is gearing up to team with the Seashore Striders to put on a first-class event that will take runners into Lewes and Cape Henlopen State Park and back. The latest update had an even amount of participants at 950 competing in both events.

Volunteers are still needed and coming forward; be a part of the local event and email Tim at tim@seashorestrider.com.  Every year, the marathon makes a donation to groups that help out at water stops, and 10 groups are needed to put on the show. The Seashore Striders are still a few groups short, so if you are a business looking for some office team building or a group looking for community service, step up and take part in a great local event.

Lastly, one of the popular items that marathon runners love is entertainment on the course. Whether you can play the flute, the drums, or be a roadside dancer, show your talent along the course that is previewed below.

The marathon course begins at the Rehoboth Bandstand at Dolle’s and heads down Rehoboth Avenue and into Gordons Pond for the opening 3 miles, before making a turnaround and following Columbia Avenue to Grove Park and the 5-mile mark, then onto Rehoboth Avenue Extended.  Runners will follow the Canal Corkran road and cross Holland Glade Road onto the Junction and Breakwater Trail to Gills Neck Road in Lewes. Runners will then take Gills Neck Road to Savannah Road and across the drawbridge, then take a right on Cape Henlopen Drive and follow it to the state park.  At the entrance of the park, runners will get onto the bike trail and follow it into Fort Miles and the Great Dune Overlook before heading to the bathhouse parking lot.  After looping the parking lot, they will head for the site of the old gym and basketball courts before getting back onto the trail to exit the park. On the return trip, they will follow Cape Henlopen DriHenlopen Drive to Lewes Beach, Savannah Road, Gills Neck Road and Junction and Breakwater Trail to Rehoboth. Once back on Rehoboth Avenue, the runners will have a straight half-mile shot to the finish line at the Rehoboth Beach Running Company.

Course spectator viewing - The corner of Surf and Columbia avenues will be a popular spot as runners will pass Columbia on their way to North Shores before returning to Columbia Avenue in the third mile to head out of town.  The Rehoboth Little League Park will be another popular viewing spot as spectators can drive to the location to park and watch as runners make their way onto the Junction and Breakwater Trail at 6 miles, then return at 24 miles as they approach the final stretch.  

Wolfe Neck Road parking in the trail parking lot will also be an excellent location at 8 and 23.  Lewes Beach will be a popular viewing spot for those who want to park at Lewes Beach and walk to the Dairy Queen at Cape Henlopen Drive to watch the race at near 12 miles, before they see the pack run through Lewes Beach at 19 miles.  

In Cape Henlopen State Park, the best viewing areas are at the Observation Tower and Fort Miles at 15 miles with parking on each side of the road while the Beach House parking lot at 16 miles has plenty of parking.

Huffin’ for Pumpkin Pie 5K

The annual Huffin’ for Pumpkin Pie 5K will take off from Grove Park at the end of Henlopen and Columbia avenues at 9 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 24.

The event will benefit local charities including the Toys for Tots drive organized by Apple Electric of Rehoboth Beach. Awards will be presented to the top three finishers in 15 age groups, as well as the overall and masters finishers in the event.  An expected field of more than 400 runners is expected to burn off their Thanksgiving calories, and the Seashore Striders are encouraging participants to park on Rehoboth Avenue and walk to the park for the event.

The awards ceremony will take place at the pavilion inside Grove Park. For information, go to www.seashorestriders.com.

More upcoming races

9 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 25, Turkey Trot 5K, Sea Colony Fitness Center, Bethany Beach

7 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 8, Seashore Marathon & Half-Marathon, Rehoboth Beach Running Company, Rehoboth Beach.