April Fools’ Run - a different look
The 21st annual April Fools Day run and walk will be held this Sunday morning, March 29, from picturesque Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes.
The race will feature items like most other spring events with preregistration beginning at 9 a.m., awards to the top finishers in each age group, a midway water stop, refreshments, and a 10 a.m. start. It is following the 10 a.m. start that the event turns unique in its own way.
Let’s talk about surfaces to start. Runners will travel on bike path, grass, sand, road, dirt, and combo mutiuse trails throughout the park. Runners will travel up and down short and long inclines, through wide trails and single-track trails, up dunes and down dunes to make their way to the finish.
How far is the event? That is part of the fun. No one knows how far it is or where it is until the distance is revealed at the awards ceremony.
The closest guess to the correct distance wins the lucky runner a special Easter prize. Speaking of Easter, a jar of jellybeans will be displayed and the closest guess as to how many will drive home with the prize.
Back to the race, and why do I do this? Runners are addicted people. Not addicted to cigarettes or alcohol, but addicted to the high of just plain running. This state has so many traditional 5K and 5-mile events for you to choose from, and they are so similar that runners need a change.
This event gives the runner an early season change in action where they can test their fitness and just go run.
Are you going to get your heart rate up? Yes. Are you going to sweat and work hard? Yes. Are you going to hate me during the race? Most will. Are you going to hate me after? I hope not.
The runners who have attended the last 20 April Fools’ Day events have made it a point to tell me that it was a challenge, but how much they enjoyed a different event.
I advertise this event like this: If you need to know your splits, distance, and pace, this event is not for you, and you better stay home and run your out-and-back 3-miler. If you love to just run and would like to have some fun and get an incredible workout at the same time, this is your ticket.
Hawkseye Clothing Our Kids 5K
On Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Hawkseye side of the Junction and Breakwater Trail, a fun run event will take off, featuring over 60 kids from the development running and walking for a cause.
The cause is called Clothing Our Kids, and it was founded by Mary Rio of Millsboro, who has attended a few meetings and spoken to the kids about what she does.
The six- to eighth-grade students at Sussex Academy chose the charity as their community service project, and six families in the neighborhood joined together to make this great projecthappen. “The kids were asked to brainstorm and look on the internet for ideas, and they agreed on the charity Clothing Our Kids,” said Lori Schell. “The Sussex Academy kids made all the baked goods; they collected the clothing and have raised $3,092 for the charity.”
The kids even created their own logo for the T-shirts that were donated thanks to my friend Billy Hein at Logomotive.
The race is only for kids in the neighborhood and will start at 2 p.m. Runners will come at 1 p.m. with a canned good, and a bake sale will be open at the end of the race.
According to its website, Clothing Our Kids’ mission is to improve the lives of at-risk elementary school children by providing them with essential school clothing.
In this economy, many children do not have appropriate school clothing, and this directly impacts their ability to learn, their self-esteem, and their probability of regular attendance.
We cannot fix all of their problems, but our goal is to assist these children to receive an equal start in their education and assist them to become successful students and successful adults.
Indian River XC 5K
The 2nd annual Indian River High School 5K Run will be held this Saturday morning, March 28, in Dagsboro beginning at 9 a.m. on the 3.1-mile cross country course used by the Indians, making it a true trail run.
Race-day registration and preregistration pickup will be held from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. in the school cafeteria. Race-day registration is $25.
Awards will go to the male and female overall and masters champions as well as the top three finishers in eight different age groups.
A water stop and refreshments will be provided with proceeds to benefit the Indian River High School cross country team.
Trail runs are a fun alternative to the pounding of the pavement, and this weekend just happens to have two to choose from, with the Indian River event on Saturday and the April Fools’ Day event at Cape Henlopen State Park on Sunday.
Track & Field
The Vikings of Cape Henlopen opened up at Sussex Central in post-deadline action on Thursday afternoon, while the Beacon and Mariner teams were at home against Georgetown and Millsboro for a 4 p.m. quad meet.
The Golden Knights of Sussex Central are coached by Jen Cawthern, who also serves as an assistant coach with the Seashore Striders in the fall. Wesley Townsend is also on the staff and has been around track & field as long as anyone in the area.
Local Seashore Striders employee Derek Shockro is volunteering with the Georgetown track program, while Seashore Striders parent Liz Guida is coaching on the Beacon Middle School staff.
The Vikings will head upstate to the A.I. DuPont Relays on Friday for their first big meet competition.
Upcoming Races
Saturday, March 28, 2nd IRXC 5K Run/Walk, Indian River High School, Dagsboro, 9 a.m., www.seashorestriders.com
Sunday, March 29, 20th April Fools’ Prediction Challenge, Fishing Pier, Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes, 10 a.m., www.seashorestriders.com
Saturday, April 4, Bunny Palooza 10K & 5K, Bethany Beach, 8:30 a.m., www.races2run.com
Saturday, April 11, 2nd Kim Miller 5K Boobs & Brew Charity Event by 16 Mile Brewing Company, Georgetown, 9a.m., www.seashorestriders.com
Sunday, April 12, 3rd Oy Vey 5K Run & Walk, Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach, 9 a.m., www.seashorestriders.com.
