I was so excited for this particular race. Not only was it going to be a comeback run for me, but the venue was at Everbank Field, home of the Jacksonville Jaguars. I was really digging the idea of a lap around the official football field before crossing the finish line.
I chose my outfit with teal and black in mind.
I went with the pink Mizunos. They just had to be worn.
We arrived early on Friday night, at about 5:15, because we had to get little man signed up for the 6:00 Fun Run. The registration portion of the race was not super organized. There was no information about the Fun Run – no spot for registration on the online form and when I went to pick up my and Mr PugRunner’s race packets, the employees weren’t able to shed any light on it. We finally got word that we could register little man at the venue, which was great. However, it was $30 to get him in. Annoying because had we known, we would have signed him up earlier for a lower price. On the plus side, the fee entitled him to a race shirt (cotton, not tech) and a finisher medal. But, we were there and he was excited to race, so I guess no harm done.
According to one of the volunteers, there were about 1400 people registered. However, it wasn’t at all busy and I attribute that to the fact that there were seven races: a fun run, a 5K walk/run, a high school boys’ 5K, a high school girls’ 5K, two regular 5Ks (one at twilight and one under the stadium lights), and a competitive 5K between the two. Mr PugRunner wanted the stadium lights experience, so we were in the last wave of the evening at 8:30 PM.
We walked around and checked out the field.
Little man was so ready.
We also got to watch the end of the setup, which was cool.
All the bling.
Getting the bananas and water ready for the runners.
This kid LOVES Speedy Banana. He wanted a picture with her in the worst way.
We also got a shot of the whole family.
Finally, 6 PM arrived and it was time for little man to line up. We had brought our friend and his babysitter along with us so someone would be able to watch him while we did our wave. She is also a runner and said that if he wanted, she would go with him, so she could get a little run in, herself. Little man was stoked. They mugged for the photographers at the start line a little, then the gun sounded and they were off!
When the runners disappeared around the side of the stadium, we headed over to the finish line to wait. And wait. And wait. As 10 minutes ticked past on the clock, the announcer admitted that perhaps the course was a bit longer than a mile. When the young man above busted over the finish line, they decided it was probably more in the 1.5 mile range. Oops.
Other kids crossed the line and Mr PugRunner and I were starting to get worried, when Mr. PugRunner caught sight of our guys.
“Little man is getting a piggyback ride,” he said.
I guess with the extra distance, the blazing sun, and two sets of stadium ramps (Up six to the top, down two, up two, down six to the field. Seriously? Those ramps were intimidating for adults, let alone kids as young as four), little man had tuckered out. From photos I saw later, he wasn’t the only one to hitch a ride, and he did get down to cross the finish on his own. J said he did about half, which is fair. It was a long run.
So proud.
We didn’t end up getting him a chip (although we could have), so I have no idea how long it took, but all the credit in the world to J for carrying him part of the way. She didn’t get a medal, because she wasn’t officially registered, but we couldn’t let her accomplishment go un-blinged.
It was a good run, although a little long and a little intense with the ramps for the younger kids. It would be nice if they tweaked that for next year.
Stay tuned for part two: the recap of the 5K under the Stadium Lights!
I LOVE that you made that medal for J! How awesome are you?? Very, very cool. =)
Diana recently posted…Book Learnin’
I had to do it. She was amazing and we were so very appreciative.
runswithpugs recently posted…race recap: dailey’s 5k stadium challenge – part 1
That is SO cute! Medals for a 5K? I don’t know if I have ever heard of that! FUN!
Amanda @ There Are 2 Sides recently posted…What We Watch.
You know, about half of the 5Ks I see around offer a medal. The ones that don’t typically seem to be the “fun runs’ (color, mud, etc) or have really low registration fees. I’m not complaining. I’m a big fan of validation 🙂
Congrats to Little Man on a job well done… not just anyone can convince someone to give them a piggyback ride! I’ll have to remember that in my next race. It’s just not right for the race organizers to make a children’s fun run 1.5 miles when they advertise it as 1 mile. I love that you made your friend/babysitter a medal of her own. You’re awesome!
Debbie @ DebRuns recently posted…Fun in the Sun!
He can be pretty persuasive, LOL! I wish I could have hitched a ride, I’ll tell you that much.
Yeah, I mean, we definitely got our money’s worth on the 1.5 miles, but … it did seem long for little ones.
J really deserved that medal.
runswithpugs recently posted…race report: dailey’s 5k stadium challenge – part 2
Wow, I am really surprised how disorganized that race was!
Oh well, I guess it is pretty gosh darn cool your son can say he’s run on the Jags field!
When I was at UF I did a half here mile 12 brought you through The Swamp as they played a montage of all of our National Championships, and I don’t think I’ll ever forget it!
Anne recently posted…Good News…I Suppose!
Yeah, it was a super cool experience. For all of us, really. While I am a Hurricane, I can definitely appreciate how awesome that must have been for you!
runswithpugs recently posted…race report: dailey’s 5k stadium challenge – part 2
sorry to butt in, but do you know if they still do the half in Gainesville? I wasn’t into running when I went there but I would LOVE to do it now!!
Andrea recently posted…Recipe- Potato-Crusted Fish and Fresh Broccoli
I have NO idea.
That is awesome they gave out medals in a 5k, how fun! Love the one you made too, very cute!
Must say as well, love those pink shoes:) I run in Mizuno’s, but I think I need to do some color searching for my next pair, I want pink:)
Congrats to you all, and great pics!!!
I am all for a medal!
These are the Mizuno Wave Inspire 9 in beetroot. They are new and I absolutely adore them. I was about to get the blue ones, but the pink pair just called to me.
runswithpugs recently posted…race report: dailey’s 5k stadium challenge – part 2
Great race recap. Love what you chose the wear, that teal is very girly. Great colour combo I will say.
I hate races that aren’t organised well, is this the 1st time they have done this race?
And wow that’s a lot of banana’s too. But you had a great time, and I love the medal you made for J, you rock.
Matilda recently posted…One Week Up
Thank you! Actually, two women stopped my friend and me to ask where we got our tops along the course, which cracked me up.
This is the third year for this race. Not sure how it’s been in the past. We just thought it was awesome to run on the field.
Adorable! That’s disappointing that the race wasn’t well organized but it looks like your son had a good time! I did a one mile fun run with my students in June 🙂
Karen @karenlovestorun
Karen @karenlovesotun recently posted…Bouncing Back
It was ok. We all had a great time when all was said and done, so it didn’t really matter too much. I used to work in events, so I’m kind of anal about details, and I’m sure I need to roll with the punches a little more, too. LOL.
How adorable is he?! That is so sweet of your babysitter to run with him and kudos to her for hauling him on her back! AWESOME! And, I love that you were able to commemorate the event for her with a special medal of her own.
Lisa Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…Race Recap: 2013 Beach to Beacon 10k
We think he’s pretty darn cute 🙂 She is really amazing. We are so lucky and privileged to have someone like her in our lives.