Runners guess their time at Last Blast Prediction 5K

This Saturday morning, we will host the 32nd annual Last Blast Prediction 5K at Grove Park in Rehoboth Beach. We will follow that up with a huge awards ceremony highlighting the 32nd annual Summer Racing Series. The top five in each of the five-year age groups as well as qualifiers will each receive an award, with a total of 82 awards. The overall series champion and masters champion on the male and female sides will be honored. Awards will also be given to the most improved runners, the most consistent runners, the Hank Brittingham Volunteer of the Year and the Runner of the Year.

The Last Blast Prediction 5K will step off at 7:30 a.m., as all participants will choose a predicted time that they feel they will run or walk. That time will be entered into the scoring software, and the top 20 closest to their predicted time will be the award winners. The challenge is that there are no splits, mile markers or clocks that are correct. Watches, GPS, phones and any electronic devices are prohibited.

Over 32 years, it has been amazing to see the runners who come within seconds of their predicted time. Several over the years have hit it exactly. Longtime legend and D.C. Mayor Peter Tracey went through a streak of championships back in the late ’90s where he was hitting his time on the money and knew his pace without a watch.  

Middle School XC

Middle school cross country in the Cape school district is off and running with Kenny Riedel leading the Mariner team, and Martin Rodriguez and Andrew Rogan as his assistants. Coach Riedel tells me he has 20 out for the team now, but he thinks it will rise to 35 once school begins. At Beacon, Michelle Gillen will lead the way with Solomon Cox as the assistant. Beacon has a decent turnout of 29 runners so far with more to come once school is in session. The Beacon team will open up with the Laurel Intermediate School at Trap Pond Monday, Sept. 19. The Mariner team will open up with Milford Middle School Sept. 19 at Browns Branch County Park. The Beacon and Mariner teams will both compete at Cape Henlopen High School for their home meets.

Note - David Naples and Paige Haley will lead the Sussex Academy Middle School program, which opens at Seaford Sept. 19.

Run, White & Blue 5K

One of the largest 5Ks in the fall with typically more than 400 runners is just around the corner, as the ninth annual Run, White & Blue 5K will kick off at Delaware Tech Community College at 6 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 8. The two-loop course is flat and fast through the Delaware Tech campus in Georgetown. A great after-race celebration features plenty of red, white and blue, military and first responders, making it such a special and meaningful event. Race organizer Janelle Boyer is one of the best I have ever worked with and covers it all from start to finish. She will put on a good show. To register for the event, go to seashorestriders.com.