FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COASTAL DELAWARE RUNNING FESTIVAL A SUCCESS
May 4, Dewey Beach, DE – Dewey Beach and the surrounding beach communities
hosted the weekend long festivities of the 2nd Annual Coastal Delaware
Running Festival. Certified Race Directors Rick Hundley and Ernie Felici,
of Focus Multi-Sports, well known for the Bethany Beach First Responders
Triathlon/Duathlon/Aquabike, Boo-B-Que5k walk/run, Surfin' Snowman 5-Miler,
the upcoming Justin's Beach House 5k/10k on May 28, 2016 and Athletes to
End Alzheimer's on August 7, 2016 and other entrepreneurial ventures,
reported sold out races and record attendance. Dubbed "Delaware's Coolest
Marathon" and designated by VacationRentalHomes.com, a Trip Advisor
Company, as the "Best Marathon in Delaware", and Delmarva Now's Best 16 in
'16 event, the Coastal Delaware Running Festival boasted more than 2,220
runners, thousands of fans, and volunteers. Designated a State of Delaware
Championship event by the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) and a Boston
Marathon qualifying race, race-related activities began on Friday, April
22, with the full and half marathons and 9k on Sunday, April 24.
On Friday, April 22, athletes and families enjoyed a welcome party at the
Starboard. Attendees from nearly all 50 states and even from Canada,
kicked off the weekend in the world famous bar. On Saturday, April 23 from
2-8pm, there was a sports expo, featuring the latest and greatest gadgets
and gear for runners and other serious athletes. Even the passing rain
showers didn't dampen the enthusiasm for the day.
On Sunday morning, with perfect weather conditions the marathon, half
marathon and 9k started on time at Tower Road at the Delaware Seashore
State Park off Coastal Highway. The races were expected to be fast due to
the flat terrain and traversed our famous salt marshes, oceanside, bayside
and pond-front parks of south coastal Delaware, the iconic Rehoboth
boardwalk, and Cape Henlopen State Park.
The finish line and post-race celebration party was at Lighthouse Cove.
The post-race party featured free food provided by Harvey Hanna &
Associates –owners of the Hyatt Dewey Place & Lighthouse Cove complex, beer
provided by 3rd Wave Brewing Company and NKS Distributors, with live
entertainment by DJ Padraig.
"We were proud of the events this year because we built of the success from
the inaugural run. We love showing off our "neighborhood" to the world of
runners. From the scenic beauty of the course to the incredible generosity
from our sponsors and volunteers, the Delaware beach community shone beyond
belief." said Rick Hundley."
The Coastal Delaware Running Festival was a fundraiser for many local
charities including the Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation (DSPF), a
Friends Group supporting Delaware State Parks. The DSPF is a non-profit
organization that was created to preserve, protect and enhance the Indian
River Life Saving Station, and the Parks within the Delaware Seashore State
Park Region including the Indian River Marina, Delaware Seashore, Fenwick
Island and Holts Landing State Parks whose most recent undertaking is the
restoration of WWII Fire Control Tower #3 with The Fort Miles Historical
Association. Other charities supported by this festival are: Preston's
March for Energy, The Delaware KIDS Fund, the Get Well Gabby Foundation,
Seashore Striders Delaware, Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company, Autism
Speaks National Capital Area Chapter, Autism Delaware and other local
non-profits.
"At Focus Multi-Sports, Rick and I and our team of sponsors believe in the
power of philanthropy. We believe in the partnership between for-profit
businesses and the non-profit sector. Our alliances strengthen local
organizations and provide businesses with a platform to give back. I would
say such collaborations are "win/win." said Race Director Ernie Felici.
The Coastal Delaware Running Festival would like to thank our sponsors
including The Dewey Beach Hyatt Place, Lighthouse Cove, and the Starboard
Restaurant, Arenas, CarbBoom Energy Gel, Gatorade, , D3 Corp, Creative
Resource Group, Dewey beach Lions Club, Grotto Pizza, Baja Beach House
Grill, Cycling Center of Coastal Delaware, Bethany Beach Ocean Suites, J&A
Racing, Peninsula, NKS Distributors, Coca Cola, DJ Padraig, Southern
Delaware Tourism, Insight Homes, iDewey.com, Ann Kangas Public Relations,
Rusty Rudder, RACES, Intelligencer, Loftus Wealth Strategies, Que Pasa,
Lupo Italian Kitchen, Oceannova Spa, Peninsula, Preston's March for Energy,
New Eyes Productions, Giant Food, The Cultured Pearl, SoDel Concepts, Beast
Pacing, Run & Tri Rehoboth Beach, Racine Multi-Sports, Talbot County Humane
Society, Sussex Outdoors, Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Compan, Henry
Hanna & Associates, TripAdvisor, US Candids, Delaware Sports Commission,
and 3rd Wave Brewing Company.
"In addition to throwing a great party, executing a first-class race, and
providing some of the best swag in the industry, our races are about
philanthropy and giving back to the community. I can't wait to see what
kind of grants we will be able to make as a result of Co Del Fest this
year!" said Hundley.
Save the dates for 2017! Sponsorship opportunities and registration now
open for April 21-23, 2017, featuring new options including a 5k on
Saturday and combined challenge runs.
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