10th annual Tommy 5K set Oct. 22

The 10th annual Tommy 5K & 1 Mile Walk steps off Sunday, Oct. 22, at Rehoboth Ale House on the Forgotten Mile outside Rehoboth Beach.

The event honors longtime and beloved Sussex Consortium teacher Tommy Coveleski, who died in 2016 after a two-year battle with cancer. Coveleski was also a 37-year member of the Rehoboth Beach Patrol and coached Rehoboth and Lewes Little Leagues, Cape League and the YMCA recreation teams. 

An avid runner and sports enthusiast, Coveleski earned a reputation as a friend to all whose positive presence and attitude gained him the love and respect of his peers and students.

All proceeds raised will benefit the Sussex Consortium and the Rylie’s Smile Foundation, a nonprofit founded by local youth Rylie Maedler to help sick children and their families achieve a better quality of life through education, assistance, advocacy and support.

Sussex Consortium Principal Vivian Bush said the race has significant meaning to her.

“Tommy was not only a great PE teacher, but also a phenomenal human being,” she said. “He always made you feel like you were the most important person and that is not something you see every day. He did that for everyone.”

Not only did he work at the Sussex Consortium, Bush said, but also his work for the community was remarkable. 

“He started junior lifeguards and gave of his time to everyone he encountered,” she said. “There are many organizations that would not exist without Tommy. I miss him dearly, so when we do this race, it is emotional for me. I just want it to succeed as a small representation of him. I remember when he was sick, I asked him about starting the race in his honor. He said he does not like to be honored, but if it was important to me, he would agree to it. That was Tommy always.”

Online registration closes at noon, Thursday, Oct. 19, with race-day registration available beginning at 7:30 a.m. The race kicks off at 8:30 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 22. A post-race party is sponsored by Rehoboth Ale House.

The race is held in partnership with Races2Run; register or donate at tinyurl.com/mvebrzct.