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Runners race for open space in Lewes

Fourth Street Preserve campaign heads for finish line
Marilia Hakme flashes a peace sign as she runs past the Fourth Street Preserve April 5 in the second annual Race for Open Space 5K in Lewes. The race benefits the ongoing campaign to raise $8 million to buy and save the preserve as open space. BILL SHULL PHOTOS
Bill Shull
April 9, 2025

Michael and Katy Ackerman ran the second annual Race For Open Space 5K in Lewes while pushing a stroller with their young daughters.

The couple was among the 270 runners and walkers who came out April 5 to support the Greater Lewes Foundation’s campaign to buy and save the Fourth Street Preserve.

The route took participants up Fourth Street and past the 30-acre forest that was the first deeded land in the state of Delaware dating back to 1670.

The campaign is heading for the finish line itself. It has raised $6.4 million of an $8 million goal to buy the preserve and save it as open space for people and wildlife.

Jim Ford, the former Lewes mayor chairing the open space campaign, said he is confident they will meet the Sept. 15 deadline.

The people who laced up their running shoes and opened their wallets are behind the cause.

“How could you say no?” said Marianne Zweig. “We have bald eagles here, all kinds of animals, and it’s just a great space.” Zweig and her husband Larry were among the many supporters who did the one-mile walk.

“I’m not much of a runner, but I do love open space,” said Joe Lynch. “As a relatively new resident of Lewes, I would love to see it remain.”

The winner in the men’s category was Mark Walchinsky, with a time of 18:50.1.

Winning runs in the family, because his 6-year old son, Alexander, finished first in the 9-and-under category.

The female overall winner was Jamie Hicks from Milford, with a time of 22:49.8.

The complete list of race results can be found at seashorestriders.com.

For the second year, the open space campaign held a student art contest, with the theme of Preserving Lewes. The competition was open to students in grades one through five at Lewes Elementary School.

Twenty students were selected to have their artwork featured on posters that were displayed near the finish line. They also received gift cards from Kids’ Ketch in Lewes.

The original art work will also be displayed at Kids’ Ketch, Ford said.

For more information on the Fourth Street Preserve Open Space Campaign, go to osalewes.org.

 

Devin O’Hare of Milton is near the front of the pack as the 5K passes the Fourth Street Preserve.
Jen Ward of Millsboro crosses the finish line in George H.P. Smith Park.
Katy Ackerman, left, and her husband Michael ran the race as best they could whlie pushing a stroller with their daughters, Ellie and Janie.
Jennifer Hagan of Milton, left, is dressed to impress. Bob Murray of Rehoboth Beach wears more traditional running attire.
Sussex County Councilwoman Jane Gruenebaum, right, presents a trophy to the overall male winner, Mark Walchinsky. His winning time was 18:50.1.
Jamie Hicks of Milford was the top female winner, with a time of 22:49.8. She holds the trophy presented by Sussex County Councilwoman Jane Gruenebaum.
Winning runs in the family for 6-year old Alexander Walchinsky, right, who receives a medal for finishing first in the 9-and-under category. His dad was the overall race winner. Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes, presents the award.
Deer graze in the Fourth Street Preserve just before the runners pass by. If the open space campaign is successful, the preserve will be saved as a habitat for wildlife.
Jim Ford, Fourth Street Preserve Campaign for Open Space chair, offers remarks at the event.
Antonio Bowe, left, and Gavin Charles sprint to the finish line.
Jahshen Sunborn of Millsboro, left, and Anthony Sarracino of Phoenixville, Pa, head back to the park on Johnson Avenue.
Chuckles the Clown, aka Tom Greenwood, wears one of his trademark balloon creations as he greets people at the finish line.
Mark Walchinsky, left, his son Alexander Walchinsky and Michael Mitchell run past Blockhouse Pond on their way to the finish line.
Friends (l-r) Michelle Mobley, Valerie Bogart and Jennifer Hagan made the Race for Open Space their very first 5K competition. They said they wore skirts, which Hagan designed, just because they like to have fun.
Marianne and Larry Zweig of Lewes turn around at the half-mile point for walkers, which was next to the Fourth Street Preserve. Both said they support the campaign to save the forest as open space.
Lee Ann Wilkinson and her granddaughter, Bambi, show their support for the Fourth Street Preserve Open Space Campaign.
Aidan Lawlor, left, of Philadelphia and Thomas Lovett of Dover AFB head back down Fourth Street. Lovett finished second, and Lawlor finished third in the 5K.
Bethanne Mills, right, and Christine Charles, both of Lewes, run through George H.P. Smith Park on the way to the finish line.
Sen. Russ Huxtable and Sussex County Councilwoman Jane Gruenebaum present medals to the top three finishers in the 70-and-over age category. Shown are (l-r) Huxtable, Michael Mitchell, Graham Upton, Frank Jornlin and Gruenebaum.
Student art contest honorees display their artwork with the theme Preserving Lewes. The contest was open to Lewes Elementary School students in grades one to five. Shown are in back (l-r) Grayson Lanan, Senumi Hawadige, Avery Andrew, Ellis Hay, Delaney Tartal, Jancely Lopez, Zoe Husbands, Angelique Cortez, Jacqueline Gonzalez Lux, Cooper Skocypec, and Principal Kim Corbidge. In front are Assistant Principal Alfredo Rodriguez, Chloe Puga-Leon, Marcayla Bullock, Liliana Kroc, Charlotte Roach, Sophia Bueno, Olivia Dickinson, Lily Armstrong-Watts, Brooke DeStefano, Duke Owen and Peter Hastings.

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Bill Shull has been covering Lewes for the Cape Gazette since 2023. He comes to the world of print journalism after 40 years in TV news. Bill has worked in his hometown of Philadelphia, as well as Atlanta and Washington, D.C. He came to Lewes in 2014 to help launch WRDE-TV. Bill served as WRDE’s news director for more than eight years, working in Lewes and Milton. He is a 1986 graduate of Penn State University. Bill is an avid aviation and wildlife photographer, and a big Penn State football, Phillies and PGA Tour golf fan. Bill, his wife Jill and their rescue cat, Lucky, live in Rehoboth Beach.

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