The 6th Annual Dogfish Head Dash races started at 8am sharp with 1810 registered runners. We arrived early to make sure we got good parking, which didn’t seem to be as big of an issue this year. I finished the 10K in 58:09, while Kelli finished ahead of me in 56:18. The post race party started at 9am to allow for many of the 10k runners to return. There were lots of beers on tap, including the 60 minute IPA and the Punkin. I heard a rumor that there were 90 kegs to cover the 1810 runners plus other paid guests.
There were games to play, like the keg relay, but this year I didn’t see those events (I most have been too busy drinking my beer). There was, however, live music provided by Reedo and the Front Porch Offering. They are a band local to the DelMarVa Peninsula. Intermittently between songs various awards and announcements were made, including the fact that the race raised $33,500 for the Delaware chapter of The Nature Conservancy — more than $100,000 to date from all the years of the Dogfish Head Dash.
There was also a costume contest for the runner with the best use of recycled material as a costume. The winner of that contest was won by a women who dressed in trash (pictured below) she had picked up from the side of the road. Well done in the spirit of the race!!!!
Tours of the brewery were overflowing with people all day as runners came and went from the brewery store. Several items for sale in the store sold out, including a women’s running shirt that Kelli had her eyes on. I was tempted to get a few things myself, but the line was long, and I needed another beer.
Speaking of the beer, this is the one spot in the post race ceremonies that could use a little work. This year, as in years past, the lines have been really long for the one beer truck on hand. I know they don’t want people drinking too much, so maybe it’s a built in throttle, but it would be nice to have at least two beer trucks, if not three. This way I could spend more time enjoying the event, rather than waiting in line.
The overall winner of the men’s 5K was Greg Cauller of Wilmington, DE with a time of 17:29.
The overall winner of the women’s 5K was Elizabeth Butterly of Milford, DE with a time of 20:25.
The overall winner of the men’s 10K was Matt Flynn of Media, PA with a time of 34:28.
The overall winner of the women’s 10K was Lisa Jalot of Wilmington, DE with a time of 42:54.
Registration for the 2012 Dogfish Head dash will take place in April of 2012.
