4,000 runners and no political messages

Protected political speech - I took 4,000 photos of runners Saturday morning at the Rehoboth Beach Seashore full and half marathons. I was weary and bleary after the Friday night foggy and soggy state championship football game at the University of Delaware. I came to Flag Alley at the nine-mile and 23-mile marks with my buddies from the Surfgimp Foundation. My son Jack (his 47th birthday) and Brad Dennehy rocked the microphone and played music as Kiwi Brad kept repeating, "I need more cowbell.” I sight-in on runners’ shirts to help focus, and I actually read them. I noticed no political shirts or hats. Not one. Most of us have figured it out: “Don't annoy others with your strongly held beliefs.” Repping the real men's brotherhood, I liked a shirt worn by 40-year-old Eric Griffin of Bryn Mawr, Pa., that read “Running for Mom.” We all remain momma's boys at heart over a lifetime, some may even say big babies. Babies have the best gig going, so it’s only natural to want to return to those comforting days.   

We barefootin’ - “Barefootin’” was a song by Robert Parker in 1965. Aaron Anderson, 40, of Germantown, Md., visited the Rehoboth Beach Running Store Friday, the day before the Rehoboth Seashore Marathon, and bought a nice pair of socks. Then on race day, he ran shirtless and shoeless, placing 17th overall, running 2:56 and looking smooth, never once saying, “Ouch!” 

Might as well jump - James Anderson of Bethesda, Md., ran through Flag Alley at a 6:18 pace during the half marathon and went “‘scuse me while I kiss the sky.” It was impressive. James ran 1:22:27, good for 15th place out of 1,766 runners.  

Awakenings - The improbable postseason journey of Cape football awakened 53 years of school district history. There were so many players and former students who wanted to be part of the magical carpet ride. Cape had upset Dover then Sussex Central on the road,  so why not top-seeded Salesiuanum at the University of Delaware? The Vikings were a lovable team and the community feel-good story. Cape led 7-0, then 10-7 before going into the halftime locker room tied at 10-10. “Why not us?” had been the team mantra all season. But what-becomes-of-the-brokenhearted Cape was on the downside of a 28-0 third quarter that resulted in a 45-17 loss. The ultimate irony was the Sallies student section chanting “long ride home,” harking the saying, “Home is where the heart is,” and prompting a response to the Sallies students: “Where you stay at?” (Bad grammar for effect.)

We are Sallies - My granddaughter Anna as a Cape senior (2012-13) was on state championship teams in field hockey and lacrosse. I was standing next to her when a Cape athlete from another team commented on their success, “Yeah, but you guys don’t have to play Sallies.” Anna responded, “We are Sallies.” Sallies football players were wearing triple crown T-shirts after the game, having won fall titles in cross country, soccer and football. The level of success raises the same questions every year. “I like them being in all the tournaments,” said Cape Assistant Principal Josh Chubb. “Such a challenge, and so much fun if you beat them.” 

Snippets - I had a little problem with the sideline site manager at the University of Delaware. We had a few unfriendly go-rounds, prompting cheerleader Jocelyn Fisher to ask me, “Are you going to let him talk to you like that?” I was willing to be a major distraction and get kicked out of The Tub, which no doubt would have wigged out the Freds on the sidelines, which included coaches Mike and Jack, player Bodie and ballboy James. But I’ve learned when things get snippy, it is the cheerleaders who have your back. They will go to war to defend you. Fans of pro sports have become like fans of pro wrestling; many to most just talk too much noise and revel in the unfortunate outcomes of their rivals. That’s why I like runners. They are always gracious and polite. Go on now, git!