The Lower Delaware Autism Foundation's fourth annual Race for Autism - Beach Classic will be held in Lewes, Delaware on Sunday April 30 beginning at 8:00 am. This year's events include a half marathon, 5K, 1-mile walk and, new this year, a half marathon 2-person team relay and Kiddie K for kids under 12. SunTrust Mortgage joins the event this year as the event sponsor.

Last year's winner, Patrick Boettcher, from Carney's Point, NJ, finished the half marathon in 1:20:10 and the female winner, Holly Scott of Dover, DE, finished in 1:36:48. Clydesdale runner Howard Gannon finished in 1:38:47 and Filly participant Laura Harrison crossed the finish line at 2:08:57. Dan Pennington of Milford, DE led the 5K pack at 17:25 and Ann Donato of Ocean View crossed the finish at 24:00.

Start and finish is at the Cape Henlopen High School campus with a flat and scenic course through the historic beach town of Lewes, Delaware. Entertainment along the course includes an accordion and banjo band, a bagpipe player, and a steel drum band that will be sure to keep you moving to the beat. DJ entertainment is planned at the pre- and post-race area with a rockin' post race party and awards ceremony. A pre-race pasta and pizza dinner is held Saturday evening where you can pick up race packets in advance of the race Sunday morning.

"We are so pleased with the turn-out," said Tracy Lattanzi, Event Chairperson of the 2005 and 2006 race. "There is such a great mix of serious runners from the Mid-Atlantic States, as well as many of our local kids with autism and their families. We do this race to raise money for autism, but also to provide a great running event for Delaware."

According to Lattanzi, more than 100 volunteers worked to put on a very successful 2005 event. "We've had the same people organizing this race for four years now, so we are able to fine tune all the details to put on a better event each year, and we see a lot of the same participants coming back to run. Best of all, we were able to raise $18,000 last year," Lattanzi explained.

Fundraising is not required, but fundraisers can win weekend trips to Key West, Florida and to the new Borgata Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey as well as other exciting prizes. Details are in the new and improved race application that is available in running stores throughout Washington and Baltimore and on-line at www.ldaf.com. A highlight video of last year's race can also be viewed at the LDAF Web site.

For more information on LDAF events, please visit www.ldaf.com. For race info, call 302.644.8952