Run For Green 5K

This run took place at McEver Fields and is part of the Davidson Lands Conservancy. Much of the trail was over the asphalt guide through the park and was quite scenic. Temperatures were perfect and the event was well hosted by both the organizers and the sponsors. Several local schools were represented and the top male performer was coach for a local track team, Top Female was a track team member from the community. There were two events for the day - a 5K and a Half Marathon, 249 runners in the 5K and 332 in the Half Marathon. Excellent turnout for Davidson NC.

My personal time was not where it should have been, but then, it matters more to have shown up, ran, and finished the event. I was recorded at 45:38 (guntime only). Queen City Timing managed the electronic chip process and once again, I was not impressed with their overall process. Run For Your Life truly has an excellent skill level for managing timed sports events - from beginning to end - they excel in their field. QC has not yet achieved an exact chip time for any event I have participated in which they have managed.

Davidson Lands Conservancy did choose an excellent trail and parking was typical for the area. Several events were happening within the town on this particular date yet there were still parking places available in the area of McEver Fields. I would recommend this 5K to anyone who might enjoy a wooded area for an early morning run. Security was commendable and several staff members on golf carts covered the entire pathway to ensure the safety of registrants. Great place for a run !

Hog Jog 5K

I did not run.


I walked.





I walked with a wonderful young lady who is joyfully expecting her first child(ren)... she is carrying identical twins.

We had a grand time and on this particular run, I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

The route was not the best and it actually took us through some very degraded areas of Charlotte and too close to the interstate for my personal comfort level. We walked beside and under more than one overpass, were approached by several vagrants (homeless) and while we had a police escort, our path was not coned off as other events have been. RFYL did the timing and I suspect they had nothing to do with the choice of route, as their usual timers and volunteer staff were not present. There were more police officers present than at any other 5K I have participated. RFYL did have markers and a water station but none of the digital apparatus was present through the track and no one had any idea where the awards ceremony would be held. Many left previous to the ceremony or simply joined the crowd listening to the blues band. A total of 583 runners were present for the first annual Hog Jog 5K.

The event for which the 5K was supporting was a BBQ festival. Beer, BBQ and Blues Music. Quite entertaining and lots of food. The event itself was a success, the run had unique challenges due to the location.

RFYL did not log start times, thus only guntimes were used. Many participants (myself included) started well after the horn, thus I reduced my overall time by 3 minutes. I also left the track momentarily to put the registration gear in my truck. The registration booth was at the opposite end of the event/start line and many missed the startoff simply because they weren't sure where it actually was. Again, I don't think this was RFYL's choice, just simply an effect of the overall location for the Blues, Brews and BBQ being hosted.

Guntime was 51:10 for me, 51:09 for my pregnant walk mate. I will post 48:10 for my records and am looking forward to the next event and a more reflective running time.

Cornwell Center 5K (4 miles)

It's been a while... I haven't ran since the July 12th 4 Miler race... and as fate would have it this turned out to be a 4 miler also.

When the route/cones were laid out early in the AM, a misdirect... or two... caused the route to be longer than originally planned. Dedicated runners, who measure their own distance and time, calculated 3.8 miles for the full route which was supposedly corrected mid-race, but volunteers admitted they were not made aware of the change and many critical turns had no volunteer present for direction. For an accurate measure, I am using 4 miles for distance and timing.

The chartered path was, nonetheless, absolutely charming. It's definitely upper end Charlotte in this particular area of Myers Park and it is the original elite neighborhood for the Queen City. The landscaping was immaculate, homes meticulously groomed, complete with iron gating, georgian / plantation style verandas, which were not to be outdone by the stately columned mansions along the way. The run was well worth the view and complimented by the relaxed environment.

Queen City timed the race using the electronic chip system. The clock was running prior to the race start, giving approximately a 2 min overage plus the chips were not used for start times, only for stop times. My time, posted by Queen City was 55:50. I made adjustments both for the correct distance and the correct start time. 53:50 for 4 miles gives a pace of 13:38 overall, and had it been a genuine 5K, my time would have been close to 41:29, which is only an estimate since the pace would have changed as the distance grew longer.

Hurricane Hannah was on the radar making the morning overcast and breezy, just perfect for a run! As for the Fall Family Festival after the race - this event is solely for small children and small groups. There were about 4 activities, a petting zoo, and a pottery sale at the event. The new director was still acclimating herself to the challenges of a well organized event. Good luck to the Cornwell Center and may their future events only get better!