If you visit me in the Summer, I would ask you to run the monumental mile with me. This race is a part of our county's 4th of July celebration and will be held right before the annual Veteran's Parade.
I look forward to the Veteran's Parade every year because I drive my Pappy in the parade and all my family comes to watch. This year runner's will run the parade route and hour before the parade starts.
A week later a neighboring town holds it's annual 4th of July 5K. I ran this one last year for the very first time and had a blast. I would warn you that it is super hot, and there is a super large hill, but the crowd support is amazing, and there is a large post race gathering. The race ends at the community pool so I would tell you to bring your suit because runners can stay at the pool all day for free.
If you visit me in the fall than you would HAVE to do the Harvest Festival race with me. I've run this one several times and it is clearly a favorite. I would tell you that this course is flat and makes a loop around town. I would also tell you that you would see many of my friends and family either on the course or in the crowd. This 5K is associated with the town's Harvest Festival that lasts for 2 weeks. That means that during the race there will be street vendors open for business, and people will be setting their chairs up for the parade that starts later that day (I haven't stayed for the parade in many, many years because it is so crowded). If you ran this race with me I would also tell you we would have to show up early because parking can be tricky. If you visited during this time, we could also watch the pet parade, bike race, or other events that happen during this time.
If you visited me around Christmas time than I would suggest we run the Running of the Elves. I would tell you that you must dress up in Christmasy running attire and be prepared to tackle the huge hill. It's all good though because being at this event and seeing everyone dressed up just kicks off the holiday season.
Of course if you visited any other time of year, I could find a race or two for you to participate in. There are several Tris in the area as well as half marathons. In fact, if you wanted to visit this Spring, I might suggest we run the Forever Young 5K which is a Peter Pan and Tinker Bell themed race. I would even give you a green tutu and do your hair in a bun! -M
Do you have similar races in your town?
We will be linking up with the gals from TOTR.
In the town where I live, there's a Memorial Day race that benefits families of soldiers and a 4th of July race for fun. I like them both--I do the 10k distances.
ReplyDeleteI love races that support the military!
DeleteWe have a fabulous womens run every May that is so much fun and a half marathon in the fall that is fast and beautiful to run
ReplyDeleteThose are the best times of the year to race!
DeleteMy kind of trip! I totally want to visit you now! lol!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have you Julie!
DeleteAhhh - I just adore that you get to show off your Pappy! That just makes my heart swell with the feels. I also love he's your Pappy. Ricky is our grand sons Pappy ;)
ReplyDeleteI sure do love my Pappy and this is a special time for us!
DeleteA hot race with some apres-run pool action sounds perfect. Looks like you have lots of fun options!
ReplyDeleteSince I have my own pool we didn't stay and take advantage of it last year but maybe I'll stay this coming year if it is just as hot!
DeleteI guess I need to come to your town. You have quite a few options.
ReplyDeleteYou are invited any time Darlene!
DeleteLiving right outside of DC we have so many huge races but often the smaller ones in the suburbs are my favorites.
ReplyDeleteYes, DC does have a lot of good ones!
DeleteFun!sometimes finding hometown hidden race gems are great.
ReplyDeleteTo my last count there are a little over 850 races each year in Utah and I've done maybe 8 of them, lot's of options for runners to chose. But like you said you have to know a local to know which ones are worth coming for, with that said there are several locally that I haven't done that eventually I'd like to.
Wow, I am impressed that you know how many races are held in Utah. How did you find that out?
DeleteI am very intrigued by the Fall festival race!! Maybe i'll look into it this year!
ReplyDeleteThere are so many races in the fall and there are larger ones than the one I mentioned, You should come do the Lewisburg hilly half. That is the one that got moved to October this year.
DeleteWe have some good local races, and sadly, some good ones that aren't held anymore. I try to run several each year depending on my schedule.
ReplyDeleteThat stinks when a good race isn't held anymore. I know it's tough for local races to keep running if the field isn't that large.
DeleteI'm not a costume girl! I love our 4th of July race, which sounds kind of similar to yours, down to big hill and all.
ReplyDeleteDarlene is the person who knows all the races . . .
If you ran a Christmas theme race with me I'd have you all decked out in holiday garb Judy !!!!
DeleteI just want to come visit and swim with Baylee!!! ;)
ReplyDeleteNo racing? No problem. You can come swim with Baylee anytime this Summer!
DeleteSo, can I consider this an invitation to come visit?! The Harvest Festival race sounds like fun!
ReplyDeleteYou sure can Jennifer!
DeleteWhat a fun post. All my favorite races require early sign-ups, but there are so many 10Ks we could do at the last minute any time of year.
ReplyDeleteThe running of the elves sounds like a fun race!! We have a few fun wintry costume races, but the biggest one in our area is the Christmas Story House 5k and 10k. People dress up as leg lamps, in bunny PJs, etc. And everyone gets free admission to visit the house from the movie - it was filmed in Cleveland!
ReplyDeleteThose all sound fun! I love to dress up for races.
ReplyDeleteI would be all in for the running of the elves! What a cute idea!!
ReplyDeleteI have to look into the racing scene after Bolder Boulder, but I do know there's a Colder Boulder 5k in December. I might be tempted to do that one since it's after Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteHow sweet and fun that you get to drive your Pappy in the Veteran's Day parade!
ReplyDeleteWe do have similar themed races. I love running in our annual Firecracker 5K; and for Christmas there are several different ones to choose from. We have a Halloween hemed race that I ran in one year which was really fun!
We don't have many races in my town, but there's a fun 4th of July 5K nearby that I've run in the past three years. ANd, of course, I'm all about dressing for the theme LOL
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what this town offers, but the wider area has a ton to choose from! Can't wait to check them out.
ReplyDeleteWe have a few holiday themed races, but a 4th of July 5k would be fun! I'd like to look into getting something together with the running stores in my area for that!
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