This was my first race after the Boston Marathon Bombing.
The emotion was palpable.
The turnout doubled from last year and many participants were first timers.
Both the cause (human trafficking) and the recent event gave room for true camaraderie amongst the crowd.
I was glad to be there. Glad to see a sport where ALL pull together in the time of need and honor those who suffered.
The opening prayer remembered those in Boston and praised those that gave so much during such a tragedy.
As the nearly 1000 runners and walkers began the course, cars stopped, opened their windows, cheered, blew their horns, and basically showed overwhelming love knowing so many choose to run and not fear.
We are Runners. We are America.
Our hearts go out to the city of Boston. May she recover and be stronger than ever. And may 2014 be the biggest Marathon ever. NO FEAR.
This race wasn't about timing. The crowd was too large for the first mile or so to even consider a PR (except for those that started at the very front). Start 2 Finish provided the timing results, finish line video and finish time printouts. As always, S2F has a state of the art set up for races. Chips were used for the race but only gun times were given for results.
Goodie bags for this event were outstanding! Cinch sack with race logo, book, coupons, and Gildan SoftStyle t-shirt for a $20 race! Lots of volunteer support and police presence. Parking was ample (church) and the Youth Center was open for restrooms and speech presentations. The course was well marked and paramedics, church volunteers and police circled the route many times to ensure safety. The course was on main roadways in the Sardis area but with the cones and constant patrolling, safety was ensured.
I wish much success to the organizers of this event, as I fully support the cause - STAMP OUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING - $133,000 was raised. May the church ever be blessed for its efforts.
GUN TIME: 48:39