|race report| the spud run 10k (5.1.21)

The Spud Run 10K was a new one for me. I didn’t manage an April race, so the timing on this was close enough. The event offered a 5K, a 10K, and a 15K Challenge (run the 10K, and then line up again for the 5K), but J and I decided on just 6.2 miles.

Race Morning

Our race began at 7:00AM, in Hastings, about 30 minutes away. J and I decided to leave at 6:00AM, to give us time to park and pick up our packets. Our timing was perfect. We arrived at the Hastings Public Library right around 6:30AM, parked in the grass lot behind the building, and picked up our packets inside.

Even though we both missed the t-shirt deadline, we both got race shirts in our preferred size. Yay!

We had plenty of time to drop our stuff at the car, use the portapotty and find our way to the start line. I’m all about perfect timing.

The Start

We lined up on Main Street with the rest of the runners. This was a smaller race than usual, so the social distancing was less “official” than other races that set out cones and offer wave starts. We masked at the beginning (except for this quick photo).

The National Anthem played, and we were off.

The Race

The 10K course followed cut through the farmlands of Hastings. We were treated to the sunrise as we ran a straightaway, turned right, and ran another straightway to the water stop at Mile 2.

It was hot, and we didn’t have any respite from the sun until we turned left and ran to the most lovely canopied stretch. If only the whole course was as shaded as this.

We enjoyed this bit of road for a bit, until we turned, and made our way back to the same water table. From there, we went straight (back in the beating sun) to Main Street. We had one last turn or two, and then it was a sprint to the finish line! Yay!

After The Finish

We collected our medals at the finish line and headed back to the main venue. In addition to cold bottled water, runners could choose cans of Pepsi or Mountain Dew, bananas, rice krispie treats, or granola bars. It was a nice assortment, and a few sips of Pepsi were very welcome on a hot morning.

But the best swag was yet to come.

Each runner received two heads of cabbage and a bag of potatoes for their efforts.

After all, Hastings is the Potato Capital of Florida, and our run went through all the cabbage fields.

This race was a great way to showcase our incredible local farms, and I was so glad to support it. I might try the 15K Challenge next time, but we’ll see! The mornings get hot pretty quickly, so maybe the 10K was just enough!

Ever score vegetables in your race swag? What kind of recovery treats do you love to see at the finish line?

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