Christmas Morning Birthday Run by Bobby Aswell

Today's post is brought to you by Cornelius, NC-based runner Bobby Aswell, who happens to share his birthday with baby Jesus.  Happy birthday!

After 4 hours of gift unwrapping and other Christmas Day fun
It was time to get dressed for my annual birthday run

With a piece of birthday cake in my belly I looked out the door
The weather looked dismal, I didn’t want to see any more

The rain was coming down so hard I could barely see
And the wind was blowing 20 to 25 mph easily

Out the door I went for an 8 mile run
Knowing that it was going to be a very memorable one

5 miles in and I had to go really bad
When I looked up and saw a porta-jon and man was I glad

Only 3 miles to go and I’d be finished with my run
Then I’d be looking forward to continuing my Christmas Day Birthday fun

So, have a Merry Christmas and a joyous day
And be thankful for what you have on this very special day

Bobby Aswell 

Krispy Kreme Challenge February 6, 2010

Registration is open for the next Krispy Kreme Challenge which will be held on Saturday, February 6th, 2010.  For you runners who skip on the doughnuts during training, your time has come.

What it is
"The Krispy Kreme Challenge is an annual student operated race in Raleigh, North Carolina benefiting the NC Children's Hospital. Beginning in 2004 with a mere 12 participants, the race has grown exponentially to a whopping 5500 runners in 2009. The race has rapidly become one of NC State University's newest traditions."

What is expected
"Beginning at the NC State Belltower, each runner runs 2 miles to the Krispy Kreme store located on Peace St. in Raleigh. After downing a full dozen of the famous Krispy Kreme doughnuts, the runner must run the 2 miles back. All in one hour."
For more information and to register go to:  http://www.krispykremechallenge.com/
 

Mount Mourne Elf Run 5k Postponed

BREAKING NEWS!
According to http://www.mmvfd.com/, the 2009 Elf 5k has been postponed until January 2, 2010 due to snow in the area. Any questions please call Chris at (704)892-1530.

Allen's Thunder Road half marathon race recap

Local runner Allen Strickland has put up a new post on his blog, Allen's Road to Boston, in which he recounts his experience at last Saturday's Thunder Road half marathon in Charlotte.  Some of you may recall reading about Allen's Richmond marathon.

Here's the link to the post:  http://allensroadtoboston.wordpress.com/2009/12/18/thunder-road/

In case you haven't seen the DART calendar, there are three local area races this Saturday, December 19th. Interestingly enough, they are all 5k races. So, pick one that suits you best and get out there!

• Frostbite 5k and Fun Run (Kannapolis): "Join us for our annual winter road race in Kannapolis! The Frostbite 5K features a one mile fun run that begins at 9am, the cost is $12. The 5K will follow at 10am and is $20 until race day. The race day fee will be $22/fun run and $30/5K".
• Mount Mourne VFD Elf Run 5K (Mount Mourne): "5K Starts at the front of Mt. Mourne VFD and crosses Hwy 115 to Langtree Road. Runs along Langtree Road toTransco Road. Then go down Transco Road ½ a mile. Then returns back to finish behind Mt. Mourne VFD. Fun Run goes around Fire Station ¼ of a mile."
• Lincoln County Family YMCA Jingle Bell 5K (Lincolnton): "Join us for the 3rd Annual Lincoln County Family YMCA Jingle Bell 5K! The course starts and finishes at Gaston College/Lincoln Campus located at 511 South Aspen Street, Lincolnton. It is a mostly flat run through downtown neighborhoods and the Marcia Cloniger Rail Trail."

 

Chad R.

Davidson Area Running Team

Thunder Road Marathon Race Recaps From the Blogosphere

While we feverishly put together a recap of yesterday's Thunder Road marathon, half-marathon, and 5k we thought it might be nice to post some links of runners who have already put in their two cents.  Some, like Theoden's, were chosen specifically because of their concise topics, while the rest were chosen at random from cyberspace.

• Why Thunder Road is good for all of us, by Theoden Janes of the Charlotte Observer.  Extra bonus blog post about his experience can be found here.
• Thunder Road marathon race recap, by Jordan Kinley, the overall winner of the marathon.
• Phew!, by Paul Mainwaring, third place overall finisher of the marathon.
• Thunder Road marathon race report, by Sarah of Chapel Hill, NC.
• Thunder Road marathon 26.2, by Mohammed.
• Race #52 - Thunder Road Marathon - Charlotte, NC, by Bob.
• A cold day in Charlotte . . ., by Frank Lilley of Lincolnton, NC.
• The Hardest Thing I’ve Ever Done, by Whit.
• Photos from the Thunderoad Marathon, by Gordon Duncan.
• Race #67 – Thunder Road – Charlotte, NC – 12/12/09, by a self-professed Old Runner.
• Thunder Road conquered!, by Marilie, who ran in the half marathon.

Race Report: Santa Run/Walk For Hunger 5k

Have you ever gone to what you thought was a secret hideaway and found it populated with people you know?  That was how I felt when Laurie and I arrived at yesterday's Santa Run For Hunger 5k Run/Walk in Mt. Ulla, NC.

Only in it's second year, the Santa Run For Hunger 5k Run/Walk was put on by the good folks at Salisbury Rowan Runners for the benefit of the Rowan Helping Ministries.

The event's location was in western Rowan County, between Mooresville and Salisbury.  It's rural farm country with livestock and cotton fields dotting the landscape.  Scenic indeed, but hardly what might be called a hub of running.  I expected to know very few other runners, but boy was I surprised.  There were many of the usual suspects of area races, some from the Mooresville area, some from the Salisbury area, and a large contingent from the Charlotte area.

Although it rained prior to and afterward, we were given a respite during the race itself.  The course consisted of an out-and-back, climbing quickly within the first 1/2-mile and topping out at the turnaround.  From there it was mostly downhill.  No traffic control, as there was no traffic to speak of.  One aid station around the one and three-quarter mile mark.

I'll spare you the details of my run, other than mentioning that I started out nearer the front than usual and tried to hang on.  The runners in front of me pulled away despite my best efforts and no one was right behind me to prod me on, so I ran within my own sphere.  Twenty minutes and forty-five seconds later I was done.

The awards presentation was held in the Ruritan Building and the awards consisted of Santa trophies.  Laurie missed third place in her age group by 30 seconds or so.  Since they were giving out toothbrushes Laurie claimed one as her "trophy", which come to think of it is a pretty practical thing.

Chad R.
Davidson Area Running Team

Tony pre-race

Wayne warming up

Laurie pre-race

Me and St. Nick at the finish line

Races in Familiar Places for This Weekend

As we slowly begin to emerge from the calorie-infused haze of our collective Thanksgiving repast, it's time to toe the line for a local road race or two.  This Saturday December 5th offers three area races for your consideration.

• Santa Run/Walk for Hunger 5k and 1/2-mile Fun Run, Mt. Ulla, NC:  If you're seeking a small race in a rural area that's not too far away, then this is the one for you.  Where's Mt. Ulla?  Why, between Mooresville and Salilsbury off Highway 150.  Put on by the Salisbury Rowan Runners, the proceeds go to the Rowan Helping Ministries.
• New Balance Girls on the Run 5K, Belmont, NC:  You don't have to be a girl to participate in this first annual 5k in historic downtown Belmont.  Proceeds of will provide scholarships for future Girls on the Run.
• Mistletoe Half-Marathon and 5k, Winston-Salem, NC:  Sure, it's a little bit of a drive from the Charlotte area, but this race is worth it.  Very scenic hilly course that passes Reynolda Manor.