3.1 miles @ 7:40/mi
I was actually pleased to take 6th place this year even though I've finish 2nd several times in years past (never won it). I was fearful that our neighborhood, with a strong running tradition, was beginning to lose interest. I was especially pleased that so many young people chose to run.
We had a new course this year. We moved it from the neighborhood streets to the new Murdoch Canal trail. It was an out and back. It was nice to be able to see everyone along the way. We had people at the crossings to help manage traffic.
Breanna Andersen was running in the state track meet Friday and Saturday but came to the Fun Run on Saturday anyway, as a warm up I suppose. She told me she had to "be good", meaning not run too hard. She still won easily, way ahead of me and everyone else.
Jeff McClellan took 2nd and 1st for the men again. I ran with him for a couple of miles but then he pulled away. I was glad he managed to pass Aubrey Shaw on the final lap around the park. We've never had two women beat the first man before. She easily blew by us just after the turn around.
Jayson Andersen (Breanna's younger brother) took 4th. I had trashed talked teenagers Tryggvi Christianson and Carl Pinegar a little at the start. I told them they were going to start out too fast and that I was going to pass them at the end. I caught Carl at about 2 miles or so. I saw Tryggvi looking back as I slowly began to close the gap on him. When we hit the final loop around the park he looked back one last time, saw I was close, and kicked to the finish...about 20-30 yards ahead of me.
I was thrilled averaging 7:40 pace. I really enjoyed the run and the camaraderie...and the food. The Kneaders-like waffles and chocolate milk were delicious. What a great tradition.
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