Athletes Jumped from Ferry, Biked, Raced

NORTH CAPE MAY – More than 800 athletes jumped off the MV Twin Capes ferry vessel into the Delaware Bay and swam ashore to begin all races.
The event included three races: a Sprint Triathlon, International Triathlon and International Aquabike.
Athletes hopped into the bay’s brisk and cloudy brine for the start of the inaugural Escape the Cape Triathlon and Aquabike.
More than 2,000 spectators lined the race course, with the finish line on the Terminal’s boardwalk.
Most, clad in wetsuits to protect them from the chilly water, jumped into the seeming abyss that was the start of the challenge that, according to Stephen Del Monte, founder and CEO of DelMoSports Inc., was sold out ten weeks prior. At a May 28 press conference, Del Monte termed that “unprecedented” for such an event, reportedly the first of its kind on the East Coast.
Security was extremely tight, especially with the memory fresh in mind of the Boston Marathon bombing. according to Herald freelance photographer Robert Newkirk. Among the agencies providing protect was Homeland Security, and 13 transit agencies, including some bomb units, the Delaware River and Bay Authority Police, Lower Township Police Department, Cape May County Sheriff’s Department and AtlantiCare and Lower Township Rescue Squad, for possibly rescue and first aid provision.
The Escape the Cape Triathlon has been in the works for the past two and a half years and will rival West Coast races, like California’s Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon, a nationally televised race that utilizes a lottery system because of its popularity. Athletes from sixteen states, ranging in age from thirty to sixty-four years-old, will swim, bike, and run through Lower Township’s scenic landscape.
The Escape the Cape consisted of three separate races occurring simultaneously: an International Race was one-mile swim, a 20-mile bike, and a 5K run; a Sprint Race which featured a .35-mile swim, a 10-mile bike, and a 5K run; and an Aquabike Race that consisted of a one-mile swim and a 20-mile bike.
Aside from the race challenges, there were activities for families that included face painting, balloons, a bouncy house, free family photos, vendors, and music.
The U.S. Coast Guard and other water safety teams, including kayaks, boats, and wave runners, patrolled the waters to offer assistance.
Road closures along the bike and running course lasted from 7 until 11 a.m., and Seashore Road Cape May Canal Bridge was closed during that time as well.
The Cape May-Lewes Ferry continued its normal operations during the triathlon, and for that reason, there was no race day parking at the ferry terminal.
After the swimming portion of the race, cyclists exited the ferry terminal onto Lincoln Boulevard, turned onto Jonathan Hoffman Boulevard, then onto Seashore Road over the West Cape May Bridge. Athletes then proceeded onto New England Road, followed by Batts Lane, and then back toward the ferry terminal.
From there the course continued past the entrance to the terminal, where athletes turned onto Atlantic Drive and then left onto Emerson where they went back to the ferry terminal via Beach Drive, where the bulk of the running course took place.
Helping to make the event possible were some 150 volunteers. Del Monte predicted an increase in community involvement and town recognition moving forward. “This is the smallest you will ever see this event be,” Del Monte said. “We want to grow this event and find the perfect fit for the township, the Delaware River and Bay Authority, and the athlete. Let’s make Lower Township known to a key demographic, the world of endurance sports.”
ED. NOTE: Kirby Reed contributed to this report.