April & May 2019

of runners this year.
“Growing up, it was a premier event,”
Harry says. “It was a big deal. It just kind of
fell by the wayside.”
Recruitment’s been aided by an offer of
cash awards for the 10k portion.
OCEAN DRIVE MARATHON
Usually April, but not this year
Fitness requirement: Come on, I mean, it’s a
marathon
After 20 years, the OD is Cape May County’s
granddaddy of distance runs. This year,
work on the Townsend Inlet Bridge will
mean a hiatus for the marathon. For years,
the race started in Cape May and ran up the
coast to Sea Isle City, which often meant a
26.2-mile slog into those wonderful, drizzly
northeast winds of spring. Eventually, the
marathon became a there-and-back race,
starting and ending in Sea Isle City. Harry
suggested they just needed to turn the race
around, so that same wind would power
runners into Cape May.
“All they had to do was switch the direction,”
he said.
RUNWAY 5K
Saturday, May 18
5k, 10k and mile fun run
Fitness requirement: Seth Rogan, but, like, the
Green Hornet Seth Rogan
This one takes place on the runway at the
Cape May County Airport, 500 Forrestal
Road in Lower Township, ending up at the
historic Hanger 1 home of the Naval Air Station
Wildwood. Proceeds benefit the restoration
of the hanger. Post-race beers, bagels
and beverages will be available. Those in the
10k run have to maintain at least a 12-minute
mile so they can reopen the runway to
planes on time. There’s a page on usnasw.
org with more race details.
CLAIRE BRODESSER MEMORIAL 5K
Sunday, May 26
Fitness requirement: Little chocolate
doughnuts on the training table
The annual event at the Beachcomber
Camping Resort raises money for Cape
Regional Medical Center in memory of one
of the founders of the campground. There’s
an option for a mile walk with fewer than 50
runners and walkers participating last year.
ESCAPE THE CAPE TRIATHLON
Sunday, June 2
Sprint and Olympic levels. Starts with a jump
from the ferry
Fitness requirement: Good enough shape to
wear Lycra without concern
The jump off the back of the Cape May-
Lewes ferry makes for an exhilarating start,
according to Meghan Miller, who participated
in the Escape the Cape Triathlon last
year. “Your heart is pounding before you
even reach the water,” she says. That’s the
idea, according to Steve DelMonte, event
organizer.
When he came up with the idea for a
triathlon on the lower Cape, Steve was set
to speak to the Delaware River and Bay
Authority about using the ferry terminal but
didn’t consider using the ferry itself. But his
wife told him the original race plan didn’t
sound that much fun.
“She was like: ‘Why don’t you ask the
ferry if you can start with a jump from the
boat?’ That changed the course of our lives,”
he says. “That race sold out in 36 hours and
we’ve sold out every year since.”
When he pitched the idea to the DRBA,
Steve didn’t know how they’d react. But he
was told to make it happen.
This year’s event is already sold out but
there is a waiting list. Participants load onto
Starting at Convention Hall, the Great
Cape May Footrace spans 5k and 10k and
will be on May 11 this year.
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