On any given weekend in coastal Delaware, there’s a good chance a party centered around running will start at breakfast and wrap up around brunch. The Cape Region is home to some of the most active runners in the country per capita. But it’s not just about mileage – this area also boasts some of the best craft beer and beloved restaurant groups in the state. When the elements come together, they create a uniquely lively 5K and marathon scene.
“Real estate agents and restaurant owners really should be thanking us because we’re bringing people here,” joked Seashore Striders founder Tim Bamforth, giving a nod to longstanding partnerships with Lee Ann Wilkinson and Dogfish Head.
Race producers like Races2Run and Bamforth’s Seashore Striders are now synonymous with the region’s packed race calendar – but it wasn’t always that way.
“We’ve been in business for 19 years, and it has really expanded,” said Mary Beth Hutton, owner of Rehoboth Beach Running Company. “It was always good here, but it’s all year-round now.”
“I had that vision back in the ’90s – didn’t know if it would ever get there – but I think we’re there,” said Bamforth. “Now, there’s a couple of marathons, a few half marathons, and lots of 5Ks. Almost every week, the entire year, there’s a 5K now.”
All Kinds of Runners, One Finish Line
“I was that guy in the ’80s that won a lot of races, but then in the ’90s, when I started producing them, it’s a different kind of enjoyment,” Bamforth said. “I see runners and I enjoy watching them, but there’s also a story behind all of them.”
Those stories span generations and backgrounds. “The races I produce are one of the few places where you can have an eight-year-old run, a 28-year-old five-minute miler running 15 minutes, an eighteen-year-old running 22, and then you’ve got Jack Noel at 86 years old finishing in 60 minutes,” Bamforth said. “All in the same race, all at the same starting line, all at the same post-race party.”
“I’ve been running and competing in local Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, and Millsboro 5Ks, 5-milers, and half marathons since 1987,” Noel said. “Over the years, each race has attracted more runners per event.”
Behind the Bibs: Planning, Parties, and Park Trails
Before runners cross the finish line, race directors like Bamforth are working behind the scenes – often well before sunrise.
“My wife, Monique, does a ton of behind-the-scenes work,” Bamforth said. “People could be registered months in advance, or like last week, we had over 150 register on the last day. That kept us very busy.”
For a 7:30 a.m. race, Bamforth might be out the door by 4 a.m. “In the first hour, I’m usually the only one there,” he said.
With his timing setup packed into a van, Bamforth is able to deliver near-instant results. “At the end of the day, we produce a quality event, and that’s what people want. They want to go through the finish line, scan the QR code, and get their results.”
Local trails, like those at Cape Henlopen State Park, add another layer to the experience. “Before the trails, people were running on the roads. Now, there’s beauty everywhere you look,” Bamforth said.
When possible, races are tied to local restaurants. “A lot of the Dewey races are tied to restaurants, and people love that,” he added. For the upcoming Father’s Day race, spots like Zogg’s and Tiki Jac’s will offer post-race drinks and bites – some tied to bib numbers, others just for the over-21 crowd.
“Irish Eyes is a big supporter,” Bamforth said. “They have a great post-race party. People sit on the deck, have a beer and food, and tell their stories.”
A Community on the Move
Jackie Quigley discovered the scene in 2014 at age 46. “I love the Striders – it has a family atmosphere. I refer to it as my running family,” she said. “Most of the year-round runners know and support each other.”
That community stretches beyond Sussex County. “Everywhere we go – even up to Wilmington or D.C. – you see people in Striders shirts, Races2Run shirts, or ones from our store,” Hutton said.
Her shop, Rehoboth Beach Running Company, serves as a hub for all runners. “People ask about trails, race distances, clubs, and how to get involved,” Hutton said.
Beth Hutton or Karen Levin. AARON R. MUSHRUSH PHOTO
Just down the road, Charm City Run is heading into its third year in Rehoboth.
“Inspiring people to move and giving back to the community is at the core of this business,” said Erin Cecil, store lead. “It’s not just about selling shoes or apparel – it’s about talking to people, educating them, and giving them opportunities.”
That includes organizing group runs like Grove Park Running Group and starting youth programs like “Mighty Milers” this fall.
Bibs, Bubs, and Big Goals
For many, the social side of running is just as motivating as fitness. “It’s a huge accomplishment,” Cecil said. “People work for a long time toward these goals – and when they hit them, it’s a celebration.”
“I began my running journey at 46 and I’ve done many events since,” Quigley said. “It changed my life.”
Cecil added, “One of our participants had open-heart surgery five years ago. She celebrates that anniversary every year. Running changed her life.”
“There’s no color boundary, no age boundary, no pace boundary – they’re all there at the end,” said Charm City Run coach Chad Boyle. “We’ve trained and helped thousands of people cross finish lines over the past 20 years.”
“I’m gonna run or walk, talk to people about my day, and then I’m gonna have a beer or some appetizers,” Boyle said with a grin. “That’s kind of the process.”
More Info:
Seashore Striders: seashorestriders.com
Races2Run: races2run.com
Rehoboth Beach Running Company: runrb.com
Charm City Run Rehoboth: charmcityrun.com/shop/locations/rehoboth-beach
New Balance Rehoboth: Ask for Donna Martin in-store
