Runway 5K

This year's race was much more well organized than in year's past.  The traffic was managed efficiently and post race amenities were plentiful.  I thoroughly enjoyed myself and my two running companions, one of which was not yet a year old (gotta love jogging strollers!).  I would highly recommend this race to anyone looking for something "different".

(A Very Hearty THANK YOU to photographers)

This race is on the tarmac at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport and participants get a close up view of take off and landing in the busy early morning hours.  There are also museum type planes on display in the start area and runner's received a free entry into the local airplane museum which hosts the very plane that landed on the Hudson - "Miracle on the Hudson" - as flown by Captain 'Sully' Sullenberger.  There are tour guides persent to describe the effects and materials of the plane and a fantastic movie showing the landing, the passengers, the rescue, etc.  Worth the trip!

The course is flat. Very flat.  Flattest I have ever run in the Charlotte area.  No surprises with "moderate" hills or stair climbs.  This is a flat race with a fantastic view.

My timing was non-competitive.  I was there solely to enjoy myself and get good exercise in a safe environment.  I was also in recovery mode from a recent major surgery thus I was well pleased with the less than one hour finish time.  My next competitive goal will actually be a race in late February 2013.  My hope is to be 'up and running' at 'full speed' by then, LOL.  

Best wishes to the race organizers and volunteers for the Runway 5K!

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K

This year's support for Breast Cancer Research was clouded in controversy.  In years past, I've chosen the Susan G. Komen race to support this cause but the controversy was far too significant to be ignored so this year I switched to the American Cancer Society's event and am thoroughly glad I did!  Wonderful group of ladies, lots of mutual support for both survivors and those who ran 'in honor of'.  There were competitors present but the majority of ladies chose to walk, as did myself, a good friend, and her adorable grandson!

I have no negative comments in any regard to this event.  For anyone wondering if this would be a suitable choice - by all means, sign up and have yourself a wonderful time next year!

2,283 persons participated in raising funds and walking/running for the Cure, not including sponsors, volunteers and corporations! 

Timing Results have been posted by Queen City Timing HERE:

The Overall Rank is a tad confusing… I was the last “runner” to finish under an hour (shows as 207/207). 10 other runners finished with times greater than 1 hr, that was the standard cutoff to have an award time, so there were actually 217 registered runners. There were hundreds of people behind us but they registered as walkers so there are no postings to fall behind those who wanted a timed score with a walking pace, nonetheless, it was amazing fun!