‘Ferry Leaping’ Triathlon Returning to Lower; Road Closures, Race Schedule Announced

NORTH CAPE MAY – On Sunday, June 8, 1,500 athletes will test their mettle and resilience as they participate in the second annual Escape the Cape Triathlon.
The Delaware River and Bay Authority’s Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal, located in Lower Township will once again host this unique endurance event, created by DelMo Sports. Thousands of spectators will line the race course, from the starting point at the ferry to the finish line on the terminal’s boardwalk.
“The Township of Lower, the government officials, the police department, public works personnel and the community at large is the number one reason this event is successful,” said Stephen DelMonte, the race’s creator and Founder/CEO of DelMoSports Inc.
He noted that many Lower Township residents along the triathlon’s course have a prime seat to cheer on the athletes, many make signs and some give out water.
“I know they appreciate all that support,” he said.
The athletes will begin the USA Triathlon sanctioned event by leaping ten feet from the MV Twin Capes ferry vessel into the Delaware Bay and swimming ashore, continues with a bike course on scenic roadways and ends with a run to the finish line. The event will consist of three separate races taking place simultaneously. The Sprint Triathlon consists of a .35-mile swim, 10-mile bike, and 5k run. The International Triathlon will consist of a one-mile swim, 20-mile bike and five-mile run, and the International Aquabike consisting of a one-mile swim and 20-mile bike.
Have fun but be safe
Residents, spectators and motorists are asked to be mindful of a change in traffic patterns and road closures during the race. On the bike route, cyclists will exit the ferry terminal onto Lincoln Boulevard, turn right onto Seashore Road over the West Cape May Bridge, onto New England Road, Shun Pike Road, Batts Road and back toward the Ferry terminal. The course continues past the entrance to the terminal where participants will turn right onto Atlantic Drive, left onto Emerson and travel back to the ferry terminal via Beach Drive. The running course takes place primarily on Beach Drive.
On June 8 between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. anyone living on or traveling along Ferry Road, the West Cape May Bridge, Seashore Road, New England Road, Batts Road, Atlantic Avenue, Shun Pike Road and Beach Drive can expect road closures. If you live along these roads, please use caution and plan to take an alternate route the morning of June 8.
Residents of New England Road, if you have to leave due to extreme circumstances please call the Lower Township Police Department 609-886-1619 and they will escort you.
Additionally, Douglas Park will also be closed. A map of the entire course from start to finish is available at townshipoflower.org or the event website at escapethecape.com.
“We appreciate the efforts of all involved who work together as a team to make this a success,” said Mayor Michael Beck. “The spirit of organization and cooperation made it a special day last year and we look forward to a terrific event this year. On behalf of the Lower Township community and our council, we wish all a safe and fun day.”
How you can help
Even if you aren’t ready to take a jump from the ferry or attempt a 5k run, you can still be apart of Escape the Cape event by volunteering. Responsibilities include placing directional signs, assisting athletes, handing out t-shirts, helping with check-in and award ceremonies, food and drink setup, clean up and more. For more information on volunteering visit escapethecape.com
Race Day schedule
4:45 AM Parking opens at Cape May Winery, Shunpike & Sandman Blvd Only.
5:00 AM Shuttle Busses begin taking athletes & spectators to Terminal
6:45 AM Athletes may begin boarding ferry via the Sky Bridge to Dock 1
7:00 AM Boarding Ferry begins
7:20 AM Final Call to board ferry via the Sky Bridge
7:35 AM Ferry Departs
8:00 AM Sprint Race Starts
8:35 AM International Race Starts
9:00 AM First Sprint Finisher Expected
10:10 AM First International Finisher Expected
10:30 AM Award Ceremonies Begin
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The event that had folks jumping off the Cape May-Lewes Ferry into the bay last year will return this summer.
The Escape the Cape Triathlon is scheduled here for June 8. Event founder Stephen Del Monte of Delmo Sports, said registration for the 2013 triathlon opened just three months before the event and the triathlon sold out in nine weeks.
“Being a first time event utilizing the Cape May-Lewes Ferry and having people jump off when its main purpose is to transport people across the bay, we had to work out the details,” said Del Monte. “I knew once we got the details worked out the event would sell out quickly because you can’t do this anywhere else on the East Coast.”
Escape the Cape included a jump from the ferry deck into the bay, a swim to shore, a run up the beach to the ferry grounds, hopping on a bicycle for a ride and finishing with either a 5K or a five mile run. The finish line was located on the boardwalk at the ferry terminal.
Del Monte participated in a similar event in San Francisco prior to the event in Lower Township, the Escape Alcatraz Triathlon, which sends triathletes on a 1.5 mile swim from Alcatraz Island to the San Francisco shoreline, an 18-mile bike ride through the Presidio and an eight-mile trail run through Golden Gate Park.
Heath Gehrke, operations director of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, said Escape the Cape was very well organized with safety as a priority.
“They had a huge team there to make sure that when people jumped off into the water, they were taken care of,” he said.
Gehrke said the ferry was always interested in events that can bring thousands of people to the terminal and showcase their vessels, food and beverage services and the view of the bay from the grounds.
Del Monte said economic impact of Escape the Cape on Lower Township exceeded $500,000.
The event was named one of the top five triathlete’s choice small races in the U.S., he said.
“We could not have done that without the DRBA (Delaware River and Bay Authority) having an open mind to create new events and Lower Township supporting DRBA in their decision,” said Del Monte.
Over 1,100 athletes have signed up for this year’s event with a total of 1,500 spots available. This year’s Escape the Cape will feature a kid’s event June 7.
“Don’t worry, they’re not jumping off the ferry,” said Del Monte.
Kids will swim from the beach near the ferry terminal for about 200 meters, come out of the water in Douglass Park, put on their running shoes and run to a finish line at the ferry terminal. The event takes place the day before the triathlon on “package pickup day,” for participants.
“There’s going to be 1,500 athletes on site cheering these kids on,” said Del Monte.
Kids who participate will receive a shirt, a medal and two-day pass to Morey’s Piers.
For the 2014 triathlon, the bicycle portion will remain mostly on Ferry Road.
“For our run, we’ve taken out about a half mile of soft sand,” said Del Monte.
More information is available on the website: www.delmosports.com.
A weekend of events is scheduled this summer to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, according to Gehrke.