The Dogfish Dash is here -- time to run and drink beer!

Monday, September 19, 2011

The fun, fitness and frivolity of the Dogfish Dash is only days away, and we're all set for our founder Sam to fire the starting gun. Are you?

Packet pickup for runners begins at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, and both the 5K and 10K start promptly at 8, so don't linger over your breakfast beer.

Dash preview: The dean of the Dash, Mark Carter.The dean of the Dash, Dogfish's Mark Carter.

Parking will be in the big lot on the south side of our Milton brewery. When that fills, race volunteers -- look for the bright green shirts -- will direct cars to overflow lots.

Runners must pick up their own packets, and a valid ID is required. If you're in the area the night before, it would be super-helpful if you picked up your packet from 4 to 7 p.m. at Dogfish Head Brewing & Eats in downtown Rehoboth Beach. Otherwise, head for the tent area on race day. This event is sold out, so there will be no race-day registration.

Runners will get a wristband for beer and food with their packet. Spectators can buy wristbands -- $10 for beer and food, $5 for food only -- on site, but bring cash. We won't be accepting plastic. We'll have live music, cold breakfast foods and 30 kegs of Dogfish beer, including 60 Minute IPA, Indian Brown Ale, Lawnmower, My Antonia and Punkin Ale.

We're expecting about 3,000 people this year. That's more than ever, but we're shooting to have the lightest impact possible. Runners will get reusable water bottles, a reusable grocery bag and an organic cotton T-shirt. We'll be composting food waste for the first time, and our friends from the Nature Conservancy will be on hand sharing their expertise and signing up new members.

Ten lucky runners will be randomly chosen to receive a Nature Conservancy tote full of sweet Dogfish swag. Each one is different, and you might even find a few vintage bottles of our off-centered ales, so choose wisely.

First-come, first-serve tours of the brewery will be going on all morning, and keg sprints will follow the races. We'll wrap things up at noon or when the beer runs out, whichever comes first.

See you there!

Dash preview: The mystery swag bags!

The mystery swag bags!