Disclaimer: I received an entry to the Dogfish Dash in exchange for promoting the race on social media.
The Dogfish Dash is always a fun celebration of running, beer and preserving nature. I missed the last couple years, but I was happy to return to Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Milton, Delaware, for another off-centered race on Sunday, Sept. 28. The race is a 6K(ish), and there was also a 3K walk this year. This was my ninth time participating.
There’s no race-day packet pickup, so I headed to Milton the day before the race and picked up my race packet and a few others’, making a stop in Rehoboth Beach as well (I like to make “triangles” while driving… even though it wasn’t that convenient).
The race kicked off at 9 a.m. Sunday. My fiancé, Mike, and I headed to the race together — he volunteered, and I ran. I did a half-mile warm-up, used the bathroom, met up with a few Eastern Shore Running Club friends for a photo at the Steampunk Treehouse, and then I found a spot in the corral.
I was in the corral with my friend Diana, who recommended we go to the left in the corral so we could get a high-five from Dogfish Head co-founder Sam Calagione, which we were able to do! I recorded some clips for a reel before and after the race (mostly not during, except for this one shot), and made sure to get a shot of Sam. I even forgot to start my watch for a few seconds, but then I was on my way.
I had just mentioned to Diana that I’d like to do a sub-10:00 pace if possible. This was based on my recent Run, White & Blue 5K, at which I had an average pace of 9:32. I’d also run 14 miles the day before as part of my marathon training, my longest run of the year at the time. I didn’t take it too fast for the long run, and I stll felt strong for the race.
The course takes runners on a road that trucks use to get to Dogfish Head, into the town of Milton, past a lake and then on a paved trail before heading back to the brewery through the main entrance for visitors. The course and distances have changed over the years, but I’d run this 6K(ish) course one other time. That year, 2022, it was the day after I ran the Pemberton 24, and I took it easy, so it was nice to actually give it what I had this year.
The course is mostly flat, but there are at least a couple hills. I started out fast, with a 9:46 mile, then slowed down a little, but kept a pretty consistent pace with miles two and three at 10:25 and 10:11. With the last bit on the flat, paved trail, I decided to push harder and try to get my average mile time under 10:00. I ran the last bit in a 9:27 pace. I stopped my watch and thought I saw 9:59, though on my watch, I ended up with 3.78 miles in 37:48 — a 10:00 pace.
The results logged my time as 37:54 (remember, I started my watch a little late), with an average pace of 9:57.
I was pleased with that! After the race, runners could each get canned water and two Dogfish Head beers. Mike was handing out water and beer, so of course I went to his table. There was some food available to runners and also food trucks where people could purchase additional food. I also got to see some more friends afterward.
Dogfish Head posted that the race raised $109,000 for the Sussex County Land Trust, which is awesome! There were many sponsors — swag for runners included a shirt, waist pouch and some other giveaway items from sponsors.
The race also features a recycled costume contest. It’s a fun time for a good cause — learn more about the Dogfish Dash here.
Splits
I started my watch six seconds late.
Mile 1: 9:46
Mile 2: 10:25
Mile 3: 10:11
Last bit (watch had .78): 7:24 (9:27/mile pace)
Final time on results: 37:54 / 9:57 pace (watch had 37:48 / 10:00 pace)
She Runs by the Seashore 