Davidson-Cornelius Day Care Center Town Day 5k and Family Fun Run

While the its title doesn't exactly roll off the tongue like previous years' "Town Day 5k", this Saturday's Davidson-Cornelius Day Care Center Town Day 5k and Family Fun Run is a classic small-town race held in conjunction with the Town of Davidson's Festival.  Fun for the whole family both pre- and post-race.

The course winds through much of historic downtown and residential Davidson and is generally characterized by a gentle downhill start on South St. near CVS, some uphills in the middle at The Pines, and a flattish last half-mile on Lorimer Road.  Below is an unofficial route taken from my trusty Garmin Forerunner 205.



The one-mile run run begins at 8:00am with the 5k starting at 8:30.  For complete information go to their informational site.

Chad R.
Davidson Area Running Team

Local Races This Weekend

Like the crocuses, tulips, and irises that have recently popped up, the increasing number of local races prove that spring is in the air.  For the weekend of April 24 & 25 you'll be tempted to sow some seeds of fun running in the area (sorry for the poor metaphor, but I had to come up with something).

• Saturday
• Blue Ridge Marathon (Roanoke, VA):  Could be the hilliest and yet the most scenic marathon in the area.
• Bulldog 5K (Charlotte, NC):  This one will take place south of Charlotte and will benefit the Crisis Assistance Ministry.
• Cherry Blossom 5k Run/Walk (Cherryville, NC):  This certified race takes place in scenic downtown Cherryville, NC, which is about halfway between Lincolnton and Shelby.
• CPCC Skyline Run (Charlotte, NC):  The second race of this year's Run For Your Life Grand Prix Series and one of the most popular ones.
• Valle Crucis 15-Miler (Valle Crucis, NC):  Part of the High Country Triple Crown series, it's a  bit of a haul from Charlotte but worth it especially if you like running up (and eventually down )some very steep hills.  Stop by the original Mast General Store for a five-cent cup of coffee (I can vouch for that) before the race.
• Marti Estes 5k (Mooresville, NC):  Taking place in downtown Mooresville, this race is named in memory of local runner Marti Estes who passed away in 2005.
• Sunday
• Huntersville Triathlon (Huntersville, NC):  This triathlon has been created due to the overwhelming popularity of the March triathlon and will also be held at the Huntersville Aquatic Center.

Chad R.

Davidson Area Running Team

UpGrade Lifestyle 5k at Birkdale & Kids Fun Run May 15th

Here's info received from Mark Harris of Fleet Feet Huntersville regarding a new race that will take place on May 15th at Birkdale Village in Huntersville.

"Interested in running a 5K right here in Birkdale? On May 15th, UpGrade Lifestyle Inc is hosting the 5K at Birkdale, which includes a 5k and 1 mile Kids Fun Run, leaving from the Birkdale Residents Clubhouse. Go to www.upgradelifestyleinc.com for additional details and registration information."

Thanks, Mark!

Lungs for Life 5K, May 8th in Mooresville

The first annual Lungs for Life 5K is an event designed by Josh Cox, a Senior at Mooresville High School. He has organized the event for his senior project and hopes to raise money for lung cancer research. All funds raised will be donated to the Lung Cancer Research Foundation in New York.

The Lungs 4 Life 5K is going to be at the Mooresville Recreation department (220 N. Maple St. Mooresville NC, 28115) at 8:30 A.M. on May 8th. People will be able to register at www.queencitytiming.com and find the link for the Lungs 4 Life 5K under the race calendar tab. The cost of entering the race is $20 per runner and $30 on race day. There will be T-shirts given to the first 100 people to register and there will be chip timing provided by Queen City timing. There will be live music provided by a local band and snacks and drinks will be there.

Thanks, Josh!

Charlotte Galloway Spring Program Kickoff Events, May 2010

Jeff Galloway, who has written for Runner's World and developed the  Galloway RUN-WALK-RUN™ method, is coming to Charlotte in May 2010.  Jeff travels the world promoting the idea that running should be fun, enjoyable, and injury-free.


On May 8, when the Charlotte Spring Half Marathon and Marathon Programs have their initial kick-off runs, there will also be 2 - 3 hour Running Schools by Jeff Galloway,  a short presentation on "Which Water Will Give You More Energy For Running", and a running analysis by Dr Scott Greenapple to increase your running performance!  Bring your friends and try a run at no charge!

Location:
All Events are at the Uptown Childress-Klein YMCA in the Wachovia #1 Building on the Mezzanine Level (Elevator "A' Level). This Wachovia Building is on College Street at MLK Blvd and 3rd Street. All street parking is free on Saturdays.

May 8 - 8am -  5 Mile Kickoff Run of Marathon Training Program
Free 5 Mile Training Run
Free Water Seminar - Which Brands Of Water Give You Energy, Which Brands Cost You Energy - Which Brands Have No Energy
Free Gait Analysis With Sports Doctor Scott Greenapple ------Analysis will include weak areas of your stride, with appropiate muscles you need to strengthen, to correct the weak area. 
For Additional Info, Fees, Directions, and Questions regarding the Marathon Training Program, email
John Lineberger at runwalk26@yahoo.com

May 8 - 9am - 3 Mile Kickoff Run Of Half Marathon Training Program
Free 4 Mile Training Run
Free Water Seminar - Which Brands Of Water Give You Energy, Which Brands Cost You Energy - Which Brands Have No Energy
Free Gait Analysis With Sports Doctor Scott Greenapple---Analysis will include weak areas of your stride, with appropiate muscles you need to strengthen, to correct the weak area. 
For Additional Info, Fees, Directions, and Questions regarding the Half Marathon Training Program, email
John Lineberger at runwalk13@yahoo.com

May 8 - 10am to 1pm
Jeff Galloway Will Present A 3 hour Running School For Advanced/Veteran Marathoners
America's #1 Running Author, Runner's World Columnist, with Running Training Programs in over 80 cities, will give you detailed info to improve your running time and running goals. Q & A session.
Fees:
$99 Public
$69 YMCA Members - Bring Membership Card Or Key Chain Card
$49 Galloway Members and Alumni
For additional details and info email John Lineberger <runwalk26@yahoo.com>

May 8 - 2pm to 5pm
Jeff Galloway Will Present A 3 Hour Running School
For 5k,10k, and Future Half Marathon Runners
America's #1 Running Author, Runner's World Columnist, with Running Training Programs in over 80 cities, will give you detailed info to improve your endurance and energy levels to run longer distances. Q & A session.
Fees:
$79  Public
$59 YMCA Members - Bring Membership Card Or Key Chain Card
$39 Galloway Members and Alumni
For additional details and info email John Lineberger <runwalk13@yahoo.com>


Thanks, Heather B.!

Peace Love Run is coming April 11,2010

Peace Love Run is coming April 11,2010. Unfortunately, online and send in registration is closed as of April 8, 2010. You still have a chance to sign up! Race day registration will be open for the cost of $15. You can sign up for this race registration at 12:30. This time is shortly before the 1 mile race set to begin at 2:00.

Peace Love Run is located in Bellingham park. The races will be run along a 1 and 2 mile paved loop. The course is a great way to race a fast time that will be recorded. This race is a wonderful way to bring together your family on a Sunday afternoon, with additional perks. One of which is a goody bag. The goody bag includes donations from sponsors and other small items. A racer will also receive the requested size tee shirt with the Peace Love Run logo printed on the front. For our final perk, the weather is forecasted to be sunny and beautiful. Again a great way to end a weekend, and for some , a spring break!

I must tell all the runners about the great charity that we will benefit. Peace Love Run is donating its' profits to a local charity named the Dove House. The Dove House does many wonderful things for the community. The organization takes care of children who haven't been treated in the best way. The Dove House is operated by many great people who make a difference in others lives.

Finally, If you have any further questions you can contact Peace Love Run at 1peaceloverun@gmail.com. The email is also placed above. We truly hope you can come to run our race(s). Snacks have been donated for after the race. Remember, this race will be a very fun experience for your family and you. Once again, we hope to see you Sunday April 11, 20210.

Thanks, Eleanor D.!

Ada Jenkins Fire 5k on April 17

There are still spots left in the 2nd annual Ada Jenkins Center Fire 5k, scheduled for April 17th, 2010.    The Ada Jenkins Center in Davidson provides health, education and human services to citizens in northern Mecklenburg and southern Iredell counties, through programs including  Loaves & Fishes, a free medical clinic and a low-cost after-school program.

This year, the race starts at 10 a.m., so when runners finish they will be first in line for the barbecue plate that they will receive as part of their reward.  The barbecue is open to the pubic from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

For more information on the race, visit www.queencitytiming.com.  Runners can register at www.sportoften.com.   Registration is $25 before race day, or $35 on race day.  The race ticket includes the runner’s choice of one pound of barbecue, or ½ pound of barbecue and all of the fixings, or up to 5 samples from the barbecue competitors or restaurants participating in the event.
The Ada Jenkins Center is located at 212 Gamble Street, Davidson.

Thanks, Sue M.!

Race Recap: Gator Trail 50k, Lake Waccamaw, NC

If the road to hell is paved with good intentions I would argue that the road to having a bad run is paved with poor planning on my part - that, and a few miles of cypress knees to traverse...a cold snap...no food...and a snake.

Gator Trail 50k was held on March 27th at beautiful Lake Waccamaw State Park.  At this point you're supposed to ask, "Where's that?", as everyone else does, including those born and raised in North Carolina.  Lake Waccamaw is situated just south of highway 74 between Whiteville and Bolton, about 45 minutes due west of Wilmington.  The park is on the far eastern side of the lake and consists primarily of tall pine trees and hard-packed white sand.  The race is put on by race director Grant and Donna Egley and their fine staff of volunteers, under the auspices of the Wilmington RoadRunners.  It's truly an old-school kind of race, wherein there's one main aid station with water, Gatorade, peanut butter sandwiches, and trail mix.  The other two self-supported aid stations offered water and water only.  A nice little race along a very runnable course.

Some runners can be notoriously tight-fisted about some things, and that's me.  Rather than spending the money for a motel I thought I'd save a few bucks by camping at the state park the night prior to the race. Never mind that I hadn't camped since I was in Cub Scouts.  What's one night among the stars?  So I pitched a tent that my friend Chris Brown lent to me among the tall pine trees the night before the race.  Odd that I was the only camper out there, but what the heck.  After all it was a balmy 67 degrees that afternoon and I had brought some firewood, water, my iPod Touch, a sleeping bag (same one I used when I was a Cub Scout), a couple of energy bars, and my running gear.

With daylight still present I decided to run a loop of the course.  I hadn't gone ten feet from my tent when I nearly stepped on a snake, alive and moving in the general direction of my tent.  Oh great, I thought.  Now I won't be able to sleep because I'll be thinking of snakes.

I finished the loop, changed clothes, and started a camp fire as dusk turned into night.  I hadn't realized that the state park closed it's gates at 8p.m. and seeing as the nearest restaurant was 30 minutes away I decided to eat my energy bars for dinner.

About ten o'clock a cold, windy front came across the lake and the temperature dropped rapidly into the upper 30's.  Needless to say I was unprepared for roughing it in the cold, and I put on every stitch of clothing I had and stuffed myself into my ancient sleeping bag.  Suffice to say I didn't sleep much, perhaps an hour, and then it was time to break camp and get ready for the 50k.

There were about 35 of us lined up for the run.  I recognized a few of the participants, including Terri Hayes and Doug Dawkins, both ultrarunning legends.  After a roll call we were off for six laps of a 5.2-mile course.  Most of the course consisted of hard-packed sand with some roots and a little asphalt.  The most treacherous part was near the shoreline which had gnarly cypress knees jutting out of the trail, eager to trip the unwary runner.

Since I hadn't had a meal since lunch the day before I started out with no energy and went downhill from there.  After the first loop I grabbed some trail mix and such but I didn't feel any perkier until the last lap, too little too late.  Lesson learned.

After a large amount of walking I finished in 5:22:42, which was about 30 minutes slower than I had planned but far better than dropping out, which entered my head several times over the course of the race.  For my efforts I received a handmade wooden plaque and a hearty congratulations from the terrific volunteers and finishers.

And so at the Gator Trail 50k I learned that I can't take the distance for granted, I need to plan better if I decide to camp again, and that it's not always the obvious (the snake) that gets you.

Chad R.
Davidson Area Running Team

Race Recap: Cool Breeze Triathlon

The Cool Breeze Triathlon was held on March 28th, 2010 at the Huntersville Aquatic Center.  DARTer Chris Brown, who mixes some triathlons into his running, has a brief recap of the race:

"Since this event is so early in the season it should be renamed the Cold Breeze Tri.  This event replaced the popular MAP tri in the NC tri series.  It was a short 250 meter pool swim followed by a frosty 20K bike.  If you have participated in the Latta tri the bike course is very familiar.  Aside from the temps all was well early in the event, but as the day progressed it appeared that traffic was starting to pick up and become more dangerous.  The run had one bad section along 115, but the finish was a surprise.  When the path comes out of the trees you realize you have to make a loop around the field before finishing.  Holding finishing speed for an extra quarter mile was not in the plan.  This event would be super for anyone wanting to try their first triathlon."

Thanks, Chris!  Results of the triathlon can be found here.