Sussex County runners heading to Beantown

The 127th Boston Marathon will take place Monday, April 17, featuring nearly 30,000 athletes from more than 100 countries. It is known as the marathon of all marathons and a part of the Big 5 recognized throughout the world.

The Big 5 refers to the five biggest marathon races in the world: Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London and New York City. These marathons include so much more than just the race – they are about the camaraderie, the event itself, and the enthusiasm of people from all around the world.

A group of 10 runners from downstate Delaware area will make the trip to Beantown to take part in the 26.2-mile contest, an experience they will likely never forget. Those expected to compete are: Gar Bercury, 49, of Rehoboth Beach; Thomas Jenson, 59; David Miller, 71; and Mike Sewell, 53, of Lewes; Jennifer Oppel, 43, of Millsboro; Martin Rodriguez, 41, of Selbyville; Bob Schahfer, 67, of Bethany Beach; Gary Thill, 63, of Ocean View; Dave Vezmar, 49, of Milford and Jane Voorhees, 63, of Frankford.

This year’s event will feature an explosive elite field including Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya, who owns a personal best and world record of 2:01:09 and will wear bib No. 2. Challenging Kipchoge will be former Boston champion Evans Chebet, who owns a 2:03:00 personal best. The elite male race also includes 24 runners who have personal bests under the 2:10 mark, which I find amazing considering 2:11:06 is five minutes a mile. The elite female race is equally impressive, as Amane Beriso of Ethiopia will toe the line with a personal best and national record of 2:14:58. Nine female runners have personal bests under the 2:20:00 mark, which is faster than a 5:20 pace. The number 26 is significant, as each marathon has 26 miles. I also noticed that 26 celebrities are running the marathon, and there are 26 runners out of Fort Collins, Colo., competing, a beautiful place to have a second home.

Collegiate National Triathlon Championships

This weekend brings the USA Triathlon Collegiate Club National Championships in Buford, Ga., and the final national championship for my son Jake. There will be more than 100 NCAA teams in the competition with three events. Friday, April 14, will be the Draft Legal Championship which consists of a 750m swim, 12.3-mile bike and a 5K run. Each team gets two competitors in the race and is scored on a point system, with low score winning.

Saturday, April 15, will be the Olympic Distance Championships, which everyone on every team will take part in, consisting of a 1500m swim, a 26-mile bike and a 10K run. Sunday, April 16, will be the Mixed Relay Championships with a 260m swim, a 2.8-mile bike and an 800m run, with each team having two male and two female competitors set up in a relay format.

Jake is scheduled to compete in all three events of the weekend. Good luck to the CSU Tri Team!

RUNNING SCHEDULE

Saturday, April 22
Sexual Assault Awareness 5K, 9 a.m., Delaware State University, Dover, seashorestriders.com. Benefits sexual assault awareness programs at DSU.

Sunday, April 23
Oy Vey 5K, 9 a.m.,Seaside Jewish Community Center, Rehoboth Beach, seashorestriders.com. Benefits Seaside Jewish Community Center educational programs.

Sunday, April 30
The Journey 5K, 9 a.m., Sea Colony, Bethany Beach, seashorestriders.com. Benefits Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.