The summer racing scene finishes up Labor Day weekend with the running of the popular Last Blast Prediction 5K to be held at Grove Park, beginning at 7:30 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 1. Following the Last Blast results, the Championship Series awards and the Irish Eyes 6-Pack Series jackets will be handed out. The Striders will also recognize all runners who have completed the series 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 consecutive years. Series overall, masters and age-group awards will be presented to the top five finishers and all qualifiers in five-year age groups from 9 and under to 80 and over. The Striders will also recognize a few runners in some special categories such as Rookie of the Year, Performances of the Year, and the Hank Brittingham Volunteer of the Year Award.
The 28th annual Last Blast 5K will also have its own set of awards to recognize the overall male and female finishers and the top 20 finishers who are closest to their predicted time. Last year, Georgette O’Cone finished .16 seconds off her predicted time, an event record. There will be no mile markers, no watches, no GPS devices, no headphones or earpieces involved with the race.
The Last Blast race also will offer runners several options when it comes to picking out their shirt, as all the leftover shirts from the whole summer will be up for grabs. Some will get an additional shirt until the shirts are gone. It usually turns into a great deal for the participants.
The Prediction 5K is still one of the favorite, unique races of the summer, where anyone can become a winner regardless of their place. Give it a try and get registered at seashorestriders.com.
There are also a few more Labor Day weekend events to choose from, including the sixth annual Summer’s End 5K at 8 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 2, at Jimmy’s Grille in Dewey Beach, and the third annual Rylie’s Dog Days of Summer 5K & Kiddie K at 8 a.m., Monday, Sept. 3, at American Legion Post 17 in Lewes.
Seashore Striders Cross Country
The 28th season for the Seashore Striders Youth Cross Country team will officially kick off Tuesday, Sept. 4, at Herring Point in Cape Henlopen State Park. Herring Point is located at the far southern end of the Lewes side of Cape Henlopen State Park, just about a half-mile past the Biden Center. Vehicles will not be allowed into the park without a park pass or paying the daily admission fee. Practice will start as close to 4:15 p.m. as possible and run until 5:45 p.m. The Fort Miles location will be under construction. Please obey the speed limit inside the park.
Dewey Beach Sprint Triathlon
The annual Dewey Beach Sprint Triathlon will be held at 8 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 15, from Tower Road. There is still time to sign up for this event. Go to deweybeachtriathlon.com to get registered. Divisions include open, clydesdale, athena, and novice, and athletes can do a duathlon, aquabike or relay instead of the tri.
The first Dewey Beach Sprint Triathlon was held Sept. 14, 1996. It was held in the back of what was then called Gary’s Surf Spray Café on New Orleans Street in Dewey Beach. The after party was held on the roof of the building. The following year it was also held on the same street, but it quickly outgrew the venue and has been held in Delaware Seashore State Park ever since. It’s a no-frills, grassroots community event and a Dewey Beach tradition that brings athletes and their families from near and far to the resort area.
We have simply strived for a safe, enjoyable and fun triathlon with a fast and scenic course while keeping the money within our community.
