United Way 5k – 2014

Sunday October 5, 2014. 10 am, cloudy 50 degrees.

Race was organized by the UI Homecoming council as a kickoff to Homecoming, partnered with the United Way of Johnson County.

Registration: Available online for $20 with a cotton t-shirt, bib, & Luna bar. Also could register on race day for $25, shirts were still available. The website had information about the race, but when I submitted an email in the form I never got a response, but I called the number listed and was able to confirm there would be race day registration.

Pre-Race: The race started and ended at the same place, Carver Hawkeye Arena. I ran to the race, but plenty of parking in the lot and the indoor bathroom was open. There was a lot going on, local radio station & DJ playing some music and making announcements, a tent for volunteers, a tent to register, a tent for pre-registration and a water and food table. A member of the Johnson County United Way made some announcements and thanked runners for participating.

Race: After some strange comments “Sorry we are starting so early” “I hope not to sweat;” runners were toed to the chalk line on the cement and were off to tackle to mean streets of Iowa City. Ok, so maybe the streets aren’t so mean and most of the course was on a sidewalk / paved trail. There were a lot of volunteers on the course, lining the course in their bright orange vests. There were 2 water stops. No mile markers. No spectators. There were hills, one steep one. No chip timing.

Post Race: The finish had timers with stop watches, writing down bib numbers and times and people crossed the chalk line. There were bottles of water, apples, oranges, granola bars and Luna bars available. No medal or award ceremony, winners were handed their medals as they milled about. No post race announcements, it was just over.

Overall: Nice local, challenging, good price 5k. I would run it again if it worked out.

Personal: There were about 6 or 7 races happening in my area that weekend, I needed to participate in at least one, so I picked this one knowing I could get in some additional mileage by running to it. I also knew this was a student organized race, meaning that mostly students would be running, I had a great chance of placing in my AG of 26-39. Of course as any seasoned runner, I sized up my competition, it appeared I was the oldest female there. So I started the race thinking I had it in the bag, but for fun I tried to keep pace with Tim Dwight, well I couldn’t keep up with him.

I crossed the finish line, and there was Tim Dwight with a high five, woohoo!!!  He was giving me tips about running and told me how he had hip pain. I grabbed some water and an apple. As I walked around the race director handed me a medal, I did it, I won the 26-39 AG for females.

I stayed a little longer and cheered in the rest of the runners, there was another older woman who finished with what I assume was her husband.

Then I had to run home, uh should have thought that through. I now had an extra t-shirt, Luna bar, medal and some race flyers. I tucked my shirt in my race belt, ate the bar, wrapped the medal around my wrist, kept the important papers in my pouch and jaunted home.