North Cape May's Colin Lough wins Escape the Cape Triathlon (2024)

LOWER TOWNSHIP — Colin Lough loves the Escape the Cape Triathlon, the fact that it’s local and he gets to race in his own backyard.

The 42-year-old North Cape May resident was the first to cross the finish line Sunday. He wasn’t sure at the time if he would be the overall winner, but he felt good that he had run a great race at one of his favorite events.

“It gets better and better every year,” said Lough, who is originally from Northern Ireland. “The weather was amazing. The volunteers and athletes make it a special vibe right here.”

Lough was the top overall finisher, completing the Olympic division race in 1 hour, 53 minutes, 10 seconds. He was followed closely behind by James Grauel, of Wildwood, in 1:53:48. Kyle Houston, of Macungie Township, Pennsylvania, finished third (1:59:32).

Kathryn Dononhue, of Washington, D.C., repeated as the female winner and placed fourth overall (1:59:45). Jess Kelly was the women’s runner-up (2:09:01), and Kelly Broadbent, of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, finished third (02:14:15).

“Congratulations to all the first-timers,” said Broadbent, who sprinted across the finish line with arms outstretched. “I know there were a lot of first-time triathletes out there. At my first triathlon, I said ‘never again,’ and here I am. I’ve lost count.”

This year’s event, produced by DelMo Sports, featured 2,000 competitors from 40 states, the second year in a row the race sold out, race director Stephen Del Monte said.

Escape the Cape, held at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal, consists of Olympic and Sprint triathlons, along with shorter competitions, including relay, aqua bike- and swim-only races.

Competitors of the Olympic and Sprint triathlons and the 1-mile swim began their events by making the traditional 16-foot leap from one of the Cape May-Lewes ferries. They swim to shore, transition to riding their bike through the vineyards and rural parts of Cape May before returning to the terminal and running the final leg of the race.

The Olympic triathlon consisted of a 1-mile swim, a 25-mile bike and a 5-mile run. The sprint consisted of a 0.35-mile swim, a 12.5-mile bike and a 3.1-mile run. Results can be found at delmosports.com.

“That was the choppiest I’ve seen the sea in a few years,” said Lough after completing his fourth Escape the Cape. “The bike was beautiful, and who doesn’t love running on the sand to finish it when your heart rate’s going sky high through the roof?”

‘It’s humbling’

This was the 11th year for Escape the Cape, which has become a staple in the DelMo racing series.

Each year, Del Monte is amazed so many people turn out for this event, especially “to jump off of a perfectly good boat.”

He commended the steps taken to ensure maximum water safety, and he was proud to say that every that everyone who jumped off the ferry Sunday made it out of the water with no issues.

Doing this specific race for 11 years has allowed for things to operate as tightly as possible, he said. That comes with perseverance and a willingness to correct any mistakes.

“It’s humbling to see all of it come together and to realize how many different people have to do their part, and it’s so important,” Del Monte said. “Everyone, from a volunteer on a street corner to the United States Coast Guard.”

Del Monte, 47, grew up in North Wildwood and lives in Wildwood Crest. He calls himself “the luckiest person in the world to do this 10 minutes from my house.”

All he’s ever wanted to do was show off the Cape May community to racers from around the country.

“There’s nothing like it in the U.S.,” he said. “I’m extremely grateful to our community here in Lower Township. Without them, this isn’t possible. Period. We completely inconvenience people that live here, and they’re OK with it, which I’m so grateful for.”

Support in many way

All along the course, families, friends and supports held signs, rang cowbells and cheered on swimmers, bikers and runners as they went by.

Amy Hogan, of Skippack, Pennsylvania, held a sign that read “We can do hard things,” while friend Melissa Kearney, of Rosetta, Pennsylvania, rang a cowbell and cheered. Hogan was supporting her daughter, Alison Serianni, and Kearney was there for friend Rochelle Toth.

Hogan didn’t want to watch the actual ferry jump, as she was nervous for her daughter, who competed in the sprint triathlon.

“It’s always tense,” Hogan said. “This is the first time she’s raced in two years. ... I give (all the athletes) a lot of credit because this is hard work. It really is.”

Kearney wasn’t afraid to admit she originally signed up for the triathlon before backing out. She said she found her calling as a cheerleader as the competitors ran by.

“I really signed up and decided yesterday, I’m not gonna do this! I wanna ring cowbells and cheer people on,” Kearney said. “I’m having a blast. You know how sometimes you make a decision and regret it? No regrets.”

Dan Schneider, 39, of Little Silver, Monmouth County, finished fifth overall. As soon as he crossed the finish line, he found his wife, Allison, and two of their three kids, 5-year-old Guy and 4-year-old Poppy (18-month-old Cru was at home).

“Cape May is a great place to bring the family, so we try to come down every year and do it,” Schneider said.

Allison added that it’s nerve-wracking watching her husband compete.

“I’m very proud, she said.

At 84 years old, Bill McArthur was the oldest solo competitor Sunday, running in the Sprint division. McArthur has competed in countless DelMo events, including five or six Escape the Cape triathlons. He’s lost count, he said.

McArthur was in his 70s when he got into the distance competition scene. It was motivation from his family, especially his late son, Bill, who died at 49 years old in 2020 due to COVID-19.

Every time McArthur competes, he wears a shirt designed by his son and paints a heart with Bill’s name on his arm.

“I look at (my arm). He was my motivation. He got me into the long stuff, and I did it with him,” McArthur said. “We had a chance to do that stuff together, and I’m forever grateful.

“Every one of these I do,” as McArthur pointed to his temple, “I’ve got him right up here for me. And I appreciate that.”