Race Report: Harrisburg 5K (2016)

9th Annual Harrisburg 5K

Welp, it's that time of year again!  The 9th annual Harrisburg 5K was this weekend, and as always it was a very nice time.  The morning was filled with a 5K run at 8, a fun run at 9, and a health expo running throughout.

Veterans Park is an area right behind Harrisburg Town Center and home to YMCA programming, Harrisburg Christmas Tree Lightings, and a Veterans Day ceremony.  If we're in the area and the day is nice, sometimes we'll grab a bite to go from a local restaurant and enjoy it al fresco. :)

I picked up my bib and bag the day before at the Harrisburg YMCA.  One for me, and one for the two Fun Run participants on the cheering squad.  Jeanna and the staff are always so friendly there, and race director Mandie was on site getting ready for the next day.

Good stuff in the bags!  Nice tech shirt for race day, along with cups, key chains, can coolers, advertisements for local businesses and other races, and some ear buds.  The run had a lot of solid sponsorship this year, and the shirts looked great - we're in the market for a few things, and hope others join us in supporting these sponsors.

Swag bag.

To be clear, this isn't just a race.  Proceeds go towards the YMCA's Annual Support Campaign.  This effort raises money to provide greater access to programming and community involvement through YMCA membership.  Last year, thanks to the generosity of the community, the Cannon Memorial YMCA gave $350,000 in support of youth, families, and older adults that may not have otherwise been able to afford it.  Go ahead.  Click the link here and learn how you and the YMCA can join together to support the community.  Then donate, sign up for the golf tournament, or attend some of the other upcoming events.

Sunrise over the start line.

The weather was terrific the day of the run. It was forecast to be around 36°F, but just before race time it was 46°F instead - almost perfect running weather! The sun was shining, and a few clouds dotting the sky made the morning more brilliant.

The Southwest Cabarrus Rotary Club and the YMCA partner with the Town of Harrisburg to put on the event, and Agape Timing ensured we all started when we were supposed to. :)

Coming through the chute!
Well, not yet.
Race starts in like 20 minutes.

If you're wondering where everyone is in the pic above, they are milling about at the health expo!  It was pretty quiet around the start/finish line until about 5 minutes before race time, and then it filled quickly.  I was sporting shorts and a t-shirt (like almost always), but there were more than a few folks still dressed for the cool morning as we started.

Cool morning.
Not pictured:  shorts and t-shirt.

Pastor Mike Landrum from The Line Church started us off with a prayer.  Several months ago Mike's church was meeting in the YMCA, and now it's grown into its own space, still within the Town Center.  Speaking of lines, we then toed the line and started the race.

See, it's The Line Church, and then there' s a starting line.  That's funny, right?

I'd like to apologize for my bad jokes.

Chugging out of Town Center.

So this year I decided I would take pictures on the 5K route.  It was a nice day to enjoy the run, and I wanted to relax and have fun.  I tried taking a few while running, with less-than-extraordinary results.  Quickly I decided I would just stop, take a picture, and then keep running.

I stopped for this one.
Most of them, really.

I may have looked a little silly, stopping to take pictures, running a bit, then stopping again.

Speaking of stops....
Again, apologies for the bad jokes.

At one point I heard someone cheering me on by name.  It was Kristel Swayze, owner of KS Image Solutions and someone I met many years ago when we were both involved in the MS Walks in Cabarrus County.  It's always so nice to have someone celebrating your run - thanks, Kristel!

I took a few more pictures, but they are remarkably similar to what you've seen so far:  runners in the front of me, runners in behind, here I am - stuck in the middle with my phone. Sidebar:  can you name the original band that sang that song?  Did you guess Bob Dylan?  :)

At the end of the race I catch a glimpse of the hardware.  Given I've been out taking pictures, it would have been remarkable for me to have earned any of the stuff on this table.  I think that guy sitting there must be Secret Service.  Doesn't he have an earpiece?  Can't tell from the potato quality photo - and I wasn't even running at this point so no excuses.

On duty.

We'll get back to awards in a bit.  It was time for the Fun Run!  One mile through the Town Center neighborhood.  I was running support, but was still able to line up.  You can't see them very well, but my runners are up near the front here, ready to take off at a moment's notice.

Ready to take off.

The Bank of North Carolina mascot ensured everyone was warmed up and ready.  A few of the kids flapped their wings in preparation.  There was another bird flying around - you'll see a picture of that one in just a bit.

Leading warm up.

The wind caught the timing arch for a moment, but it was quickly secured and the festivities continued.

Windy.

And then we were off!  Runner #1 from our group blazed ahead, taking the first corner and going out of sight.  He was up near the front at the start, and had a nice finish.  I stayed with Runner #2 for support, and was able to take a couple of pics with her hair blowing in the wind.

Runner #2.

With Runner #2, we took the run/walk/talk/run/walk/walk/walk/run approach.  It worked well for us, and she finished her first mile run!  Hooray!

Runner #1 was already at the finish, offering some final coaching and support as we got a little turned around on finding the finish line.  Nice finishes all around!

Runner #1 and Runner #2.

The other bird I mentioned was from Zaxby's, and she came out to cheer on the kids also.  The two birds seemed to get along pretty well, and no pecking or scratching was observed or reported.

Zaxby's mascot.

As with the year before, there was an obstacle course that included hay bales, fire hoses, sack-dragging, and other feats of pure physical prowess.  At the end of the obstacle course were flying discs (did you know that Frisbee is a trademark?) for finishers.

Obstacle pic 1 of 2.
Running and hay.

Which, after jumping hay bales and carrying fire hoses, is probably totally deserved.

Obstacle pic 2 of 2.
Fire hose.

After the 5K and the Fun Run, it was awards time!  Mandie manned (yep, that's another bit of word play - are you keeping count?) the awards table along with Brent Rockett in celebration preparation.  Wait a second. Is that guy still there?  Maybe he is Secret Service!

Turned his head so you can't see the earpiece.
This guy's good.

We had to leave shortly after the awards began, but before taking off we learned the overall winners won a free pair of Saucony running shoes!

I'm certified.

===  RACE DAY  ===
Race:  Harrisburg 5K
Location:  Harrisburg, NC
Shoe:  Saucony Guide 8
Date:  4/9/2016
Distance: 5K
Time: 24:58
Pace:  8:03/mile
Overall:  55/357 (15.4%)
Gender:  42/148 (28.4)
Group: 5/26 (19.2%)

=== STRAVA SAYS  ===
Distance:  3.2 miles
Moving Time:  25:06
Avg Pace:  7:49/mile

===  LINKS  ===
Website:  Cannon Memorial YMCA
Registration:  Cannon Memorial YMCA
Results:  Agape Timing / RaceMine