We’re back to in-person races without COVID restrictions.
On June 13, 2021, I was able to line up for the start of a 5 km in downtown Fredericksburg without having to wear a mask, stand on an X or wait for my wave. This trend is the start of something big.
The SPCA has managed this race since 2003. This race was their 18th edition, missing only 2020 for COVID.
In the late 80s, the Rappahannock Area YMCA started the River Run 5km in early spring and laid out the course beginning on Caroline Street at the Library and finished behind the Library on Sophia Street. They reused the course for the initial Turkey Trots, starting in 1993. This course was the first one I measured for USATF certification in 1995. So I’m estimating somebody has used this route for more than 30 years.
The YMCA held the final River Run in 1997, and the Turkey Trot outgrew the course capacity in 2009.
In 2003, the SPCA wanting to hold a fundraiser managed their first 5 km and took advantage of the certified course. The SPCA has been able to use this course and is one of the last 5 km races in the city entirely on the public streets. Working with the city and holding the race at 7 am on a Sunday helps the SPCA maintain the permit.
In 2004, the race was added to the Fredericksburg Area Running Club Coldwell Banker Elite Grand Prix series and was the first year that I participated in their event.
Abnormal for June, the weather provided a lovely morning to run. The temperature at the start was 66 degrees with a 66-degree dew point and no wind. If you are doing the calculations with me, that is 100% humidity.
I arrived at 6:15 am, parked on Caroline Street just west of Amelia Street, and started my 32 minutes warm-up at 6:20 am. I got back to my truck in time to change shirts, drink some water and get to the start line.
Because of the closed Chatham Bridge detour, the city did not want the starting line blocked for more the 5 minutes. So, there were no timing mats to record individual start times. Instead, officials would determine all results and placings by the order crossing the finish line. I lined up about 20 feet off of the start line with about 50 people in front of me.
The gun went off on schedule. I like it when races start on time.
The first mile felt good, and I went through it at 8:22. That was a little faster than I thought I could maintain.
Tim Young passed me on his way back just under the Falmouth Bridge. My goal on this course is to get off Caroline Street onto Riverside Drive before the front runners return. Unfortunately, I did not accomplish that goal today. Tim went through two miles in about 9:30.
I thought I was slowing in the second mile. I still ran 8:32.
I ran the tangents well on Caroline Street in the third mile, to the left at Old Mill Park, then the right to almost Ford Street, and then the diagonal to Pitt Street. My third mile was 8:38.
There were no runners to pass to the finish, and the clock had already gone past 26 minutes. Still, I pushed some and finished at 26:16. I was pleased with what I did.
Upon crossing the finish, one of my old RTU crew asked if the course was short. I gave a quick “No.” The start and finish were in the correct location, and we ran the right path.
Organizers did not mark the course and did not place signs on each of the mile locations. I noticed the lack of mile markers on my warm-up. This omission was not an issue for me. I know which direction to run and the locations of the mile splits. Runners not familiar with the course and runners further back in the pack may have become lost or missed out on pace information.
There were a lot of course marshals. Hopefully, they kept runners going on the correct route. A few cars got on the course, which did not bother me.
There was a post-race award ceremony, refreshments not in a plastic bag, and the opportunity to converse. Happy, Happy.