Tunnel to Towers event brings out the best in people and dogs

Chattahoochie - Allen Jackson gets claimed by so many people as cousin in the 684 that I’ve started calling my former student “Cuz,” although I prefer Chattahoochie because it’s just a cooler nickname. Allen posted this after running 3.43 miles in full firefighter gear while carrying the American flag at Sunday’s Tunnel to Towers race. “Another great event put on by Tunnel to Towers Delmarva at [Cape Henlopen State Park]. Stations 82, 85, 86 all showed up to support the organization by flying the stars and stripes for all to run under. [Delaware State Police] with Trooper 2 and the color guard, along with New Castle County PD and DSP with their motorcycles. I want to personally thank all of those that donated to my fundraiser. All together $1,775, a great number was donated under my name. I once again had the honor of running with bib No. 343, another great number 3.43, in 46:43. Thank you Seashore Striders running and Tunnel to Towers, along with all the runners and volunteers, and I can not forget Dave Fredman Frederick for always being at these runs and other sporting events to capture the moment.” My lingering question for this bad-to-the-bone athlete is, “Why didn’t you wrestle in high school?” David Hantman, 67, from Station 86 in Rehoboth Beach also ran in full gear, clocking a time of 46:02.

Hey Abbott! James Deinert popped from the Peloton, focused on taking down veteran runner Tim Abbott before the finish line. Tim reacted by instinct and tried to hold off the cool breeze blowing past him. Both runners held great body form – there was no wobbling or flailing. They both wore sunglasses, a cycle-of-life image, what goes around comes around, let the circle be unbroken. Tim of Georgetown is 78, while James of Lincoln is just 7 years old. The moment offered more perspective than the Tyson fight promoted by Netflix. James ran 32:56, while Tim clocked 32:58 for the 3.43-mile Tunnel to Towers distance. The family event was competitive but touched with class. Just a good day to be out there. 

Father and daughter - Happy together before racing 3.43 miles. Ten-year-old Angie Everett won the 13-and-under age group with a time of 30:56. Her dad, David Everett, 39, picked up the pace in the final mile to run 29:19, good for third in the 30-39 age group. They started happy and stayed happy afterward. 

Service dog - I think my late dog Darby was a service dog I used for emotional stability. I just didn’t realize it until he sprinted away under the rainbow bridge he refused to cross over. I caught a glimpse of Louie at the Tunnel to Towers event with Steve Koester, who retired from the Air Force after 35 years and is still rocking in the free world his Redskins hat. Louie ran the distance with family but I didn’t see Steve at the end. Louie appeared to be one of those service dogs you just can’t wear out. 

John Martin - I knew him and he knew me, because inside the sports world of Delaware, that’s the way it is for those of us who pay attention. But we never had a relaxed conversation, as he was always working the microphone at the press table while I worked a camera on the sidelines. I’m pretty positive in my writings on high school kids, but John rocking the microphone was off the hook. John Martin passed away last week. I posted this in 2020: “John Martin is the voice of the Capital Classic Middle School basketball tournament. John can go all day, and he is relentlessly positive and keeps the crowd hyped. He is a teacher at Delcastle. He has also been the voice of the DIAA outdoor track championships. He is part of the Capital Classic fabric that puts smiles on the faces of middle school kids and all their cousins. Good job, John!” I don’t know anything about major influencers, but I do know John Martin was a positive influence to thousands of athletes, coaches and teachers. 

Snippets - So many stories and so much to celebrate and so many issues to discuss as they pertain to sports and education. Like a warehouse of irregular fabrics, I’ll just never run out of material. The Castle on Saturday night at Sussex Central brings clear focus to the term homeschooled. When you play there, you get a dose of cultural traditions and families. Tommy Marvel on the PA and the chain gang crew – unless DIAA replaced them with nonpartisans – are part of the atmosphere. Imagine going to an Eagles game with the fans told, “Don’t act too Philly.” Get up on outta there, Skippy! Go on now, git!