The Delaware Department of Transportation is offering residents a rare chance to walk or run on the brand-new North Millsboro Bypass before it officially opens to vehicles. 

On Saturday, September 13th at 8 a.m., the department will host a charity 5K Run/Walk along the newly completed roadway.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, a Delaware nonprofit that provides financial assistance to families of children battling cancer while also funding research for treatments. 

The foundation was created in honor of Andrew McDonough, a Wilmington teenager who lost his life to leukemia in 2007.

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Event Details and Registration

Participants will gather at the intersection of Hollyville Road and SR 24, where the race begins. The course extends to the bridge over Fox Run Road before looping back. 

Registration for the 5K Run/Walk costs $34.09, with check-in opening at 7 a.m. on race day.

Key details for race day include:

• Start time: 8 a.m.
• Amenities: Event tee shirts and post-race refreshments
• Awards:
  • Top overall male and female finishers
  • Overall male and female masters
  • Top three in 10-year age groups (13 and under through 70+)
  • Top three male and female walkers
• Timing: Professional chip timing by R2R Timing using the MYLAPS BibTag system

Parking will be available along the bypass, and participants can access the race via the new exit ramp off SR 30/Gravel Hill Road, about half a mile north of the SR 24/John J. Williams Highway intersection.

With no dogs allowed for insurance reasons and bibs non-transferable, the organizers stress the importance of reviewing event policies before race day.

Following the 5K, the bypass will remain open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for bicyclists who want to enjoy the roadway before cars arrive later in the month. 

For many residents, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the new infrastructure on foot or by bike.

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A Chance to Support a Worthy Cause

Thanks to various and generous sponsorships, one hundred percent of the proceeds from this event will go directly to the B+ Foundation, allowing them to continue making a difference in funding cancer research and directly helping families with children battling cancer. 

The event will also feature photography and race results posted online through Races2Run, ensuring participants can celebrate and share their achievements. 

The Future of the North Millsboro Bypass

Construction on the North Millsboro Bypass began in March 2023. The project delivers a 2.8-mile two-lane road designed to relieve congestion in downtown Millsboro by creating a direct connection between US 113 and SR 24. 

In addition to easing traffic flow, the bypass features a separated multi-use trail for walkers and cyclists, expanding recreational opportunities.

The route crosses key natural and transportation landmarks, including bridges over Fox Run Road, the Norfolk Southern Railroad, Millsboro Pond, and Gravel Hill Road. 

Its western end will terminate near Mountaire Farms, improving access across the region.

As the road prepares to officially open later this month, the charity 5K and subsequent bike access day offer residents a meaningful way to celebrate the long-awaited project.

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Get Involved

The charity 5K on the North Millsboro Bypass is more than just a race. It is a celebration of progress in Sussex County and a chance to make a difference for children fighting cancer. 

Whether you participate in the run, walk, or bike ride, this event offers the community an unforgettable experience.

Stay tuned to our blog for more updates on local events, new developments, and opportunities to connect with coastal Delaware.

Source: Delaware Live