RACE REPORT: Run For The Hills 5K

The Blackhawk Boys Running Club made a fine showing on Sunday, competing in their Spring Season race, the first inaugural Run For The Hills 5K, held at Fletcher Community Park.

This was an afternoon race, which is becoming more and more common around here. The weather was perfect-breezy, high 70's, and beautiful. I arrived around 1:00 and first-time RD Aimee had everything organized for me. All of our race packets were in one box, and she even went as far as putting all our race numbers in a large envelope. On the front was a list of boys and their corresponding race number. It was awesome. As our boys showed up, we were able to get their race number pinned on them, get them entered in the raffle, and ready run.

Also nice: we were afforded 8 complimentary race entries due to our fundraising. The Blackhawk Boys received 4 free entries, and David Keller (my boss and member of the CMLC Board of Directors) received 4 free entries, which he gave to us. This allowed us to enter several parents who wanted to run with their son.

As we lined up on the grass, the Blackhawk Boys toed the line, forming a sea of white T-Shirts. RD Aimee said, "GO!" and 2 of our little 5-year old mascots, Landon ("Peanut") and Adam, shot out to lead the race across the grassy field and on to the walking trail. They will be forever memorialized in the Asheville Citiziens Times Outdoor Section as leading the race.

I stuck with Leopold, as best I could. He went out strong and steady. After running around the large green field, we headedon to the walking path and hit Mile 1 in about 8:19. We settled in behind Robert- for the duration of the race as it turned out. The next section was an out-and-back, and I got a little confused because I hadn't toured the course beforehand. For some reason, I assumed this next section would be a 1/2 mile out and back, and that we'd finish with another loop around the field.

I knew something was wrong when we were at the turn around and my watch said 16:45. Dang, that was one long 1/2 mile I thought. So, as we came up to the grass field, I was thinking I felt pretty bad considering I had to do that loop again. I was completely impressed with Leopold for holding such a strong pace and not giving up.*

That's when I noticed the people up ahead of looked like they were finishing right there- no additional loop. Just to be sure, I kept watching to see if they were actually stopping. (As opposed to running through the finish line and continuing on).

They were! Yay! Sprint to the finish!!

Like that, it was over.

There was a festival afterwards, and a raffle. Sweet, sweet prizes to be had. Graeson won a $100 Gift Certificate for Foot RX, upon which Leopold complained, "Oh, man. He's just gonna buy 50 bags of Sports Beans and get sick." (Consider that permission, Grae!).

There were so many good memories from this race:

Seeing how the boys really supported one another and showed up as a Team.

The out-and-back portion of the course allowed for awesome hand slapping opportunities).

Seeing Bryson complete his first 5K ever with both his parents- and seeing how proud he was.

Feeling the comeraderie between friends and coaches.

Being surprised - again - at the strength, determination, and competitiveness of our boys.

Meeting Aimee and Kristin in person after e-mailing each other for the last month.

Winning my age group with a 26:00 5K. Awesome.

Photos (from top): 1)Leopold and Drew. 2) Amy, Sam and Jack. 3) Graeson and Drew.

RESULTS:

Overall Female

1 Aileen Mason

2 Erin Herbst

3 Tracy Katsigiannis

Overall Male

1 Duncan Sharrits

2 Max Sass

3 Wyatt Stevens

Female Masters 40+

1 Psyche Wimberly (Coach- Blackhawk Boys)

Male Masters 40+

1 Greg Walker

Female Age Groups:

Under 14

1 Mackinney Supola

15-19

No competitors

20-29

1 Nadine Maltz

30-39

1 Page Mayner

40-49

1 Donna Morgan

Male Age Groups:

1Under 14

Jonathan Laws (Blackhawk Boys Running)

15-19

1 Michael Mouton

20-29

1 Rafe Westbrook

30-39

1 Eric Johnson

40-49

1 Robert Dowling (Coach- Blackhawk Boys Running)


* I was the worst race buddy EVER. I was asking Leopold if he needed to slow down, get a drink, take a restroom break, go fly fishing, etc. That poor kid. We later decided that when we show up to a race, we're there to do our best, no exceptions, no excuses. MOM.