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You are here: Home / Uncategorized / race report: gingerbread man 5k (12.11.21)

race report: gingerbread man 5k (12.11.21)

December 15, 2021      11 Comments

Run, run, as fast as you can: but can you beat the Gingerbread Man 5k? The Gingerbread Man 5k is a fun, festive local race, that’s been on the books for ten years! In the past, it took place in World Golf Village, with a 5k, 10k, and mile kids’ run option, but things have changed.

This year, the race moved to the new Silver Leaf community, and only offered a 5k and the Kids’ Run. While I miss having the option of a 10k, we take what we can get.

Pre-Race

I registered for this event with enough time to guarantee my shirt size. (I honestly dislike the shirt – it’s a white tech tee, and white tech shirts are 100% not my jam). J signed up later and was able to get her preferred size after the event. Due to some unrelated events, I didn’t have a flat runner photo, but what can you do?

Race Morning + Packet Pickup

I had planned to pick up our packets in advance at the designated third party location on Friday, but life happened, so I told J we would just get to the race early and deal with it on site. We arrived at the amenity center of the Silver Leaf community around 7:15 am, parked, and grabbed our bibs.

Vendors were still setting up when we arrived and we had a few moments to go back to the car, use the portapotties, and meet up with some friends.

The Race

We started under the inflatable arch at the SilverLeaf amenity center. The route was pretty basic: we ran to the main road (not very far), crossed the parkway, with the traffic light and law enforcement holding back cars, and hopped on to the run/walk/bike path that stretches for miles through this community.

On the one hand, it’s a great place to run. It’s wider than the usual sidewalk, and specifically designated for this sort of activity. On the other hand, there are no lights (making it not great for pre-dawn running), and no trees (exposing people to the sun and elements). On this morning, the only major thing we dealt with was fog.

Everything was very straightforward. We went about 1.4 miles to a water stop and marked u-turn, and then back. The police were great about holding cars for the runners on the return, too, and I appreciated that.

Then it was back to the arch and the finish line, with big smiles on our faces.

Post Race

We crossed the finish line, and collected our medals. Volunteers also handed us our gingerbread cookies and bottles of water. As I mentioned, J was able to get her race t-shirt. I had to go check in with the timing crew, as they had me listed in the results as male. That was easily and quickly remedied.

gingerbread man 5k

Before we left, we snagged our photos and ate our cookies.

gingerbread man 5k

At some point, the one mile fun run started, complete with a sprinting Gingerbread Man, but I have no idea how that went.

My Takeaways

I am still a fan of the Gingerbread Man Dash. It’s always a wonderful time, and the change of venue doesn’t really take away from that. The 10K is certainly a loss to the event, and I’m not sure if that’s something that will return in the future.

The new course was decent. It was simply an out and back on the run/bike path along the SilverLeaf Parkway. It involved crossing one major road (with police assistance), which was fine for 250 runners, give or take. That being said, if those numbers increase, the path will probably be too narrow. Also if it’s warmer and less cloudy, the course will be rough as there is zero shade cover anywhere.

All in all, the Gingerbread Man 5k is a winner in this runner’s heart.

Have you run any holiday races?

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Comments

  1. Deborah Brooks says

    December 15, 2021 at 8:56 pm

    It is fun to do local holiday races that are low key. Looks like a really fun time for all! Cookies at the finish is never a bad thing
    Deborah Brooks recently posted…How to maintain your successful walking habit through the winterMy Profile

    Reply
  2. Lisa @ Mile by Mile says

    December 16, 2021 at 9:20 am

    Looks like a fun race! Ive done some holiday races in past years but this year the timing doesn’t work out. Great job!

    Reply
  3. Liz Dexter says

    December 16, 2021 at 12:59 pm

    Excellent, and I love the medal! Well done and a great report as usual.

    Reply
  4. Catrina says

    December 16, 2021 at 1:32 pm

    I love the look of that course! Nice and flat with plenty of space.
    And gingerbread cookies at the end? Wonderful!

    Reply
  5. Kimberly Hatting says

    December 17, 2021 at 1:20 am

    It’s nice to see a holiday-themed event that pays tribute to something other than Santa. I love the jolly old elf, but the Gingerbread Man is unique, and nice twist to the holidays. The medal is cute, too 😉

    Reply
  6. Shathiso says

    December 17, 2021 at 10:49 am

    Love the cookie at the Finish Line!! I hope they bring back the 10K as it’s such a great distance. I have a virtual Christmas Relay tomorrow that I’m really looking forward to. It’s virtual so I will be on my own but looking forward to dressing up and the camaraderie in our WhatsApp group!

    Reply
  7. Darlene says

    December 17, 2021 at 12:43 pm

    Love holiday races. Can’t beat one with cookies at the end.

    Great medal. Races around usually only give medals for half marathons.

    Reply
  8. Chocolaterunsjudy says

    December 17, 2021 at 2:01 pm

    Nope, no races at all. Kind of sad about it but it is what it is.

    I like a race on a nice flat bike path but no shade can be a buzzkill.

    Congrats on beating the gingerman!
    Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…5 Running Memes to Make You LaughMy Profile

    Reply
  9. Denise says

    December 17, 2021 at 2:50 pm

    Looks like a nice place to run. I rarely have shade at the races I do.
    Cute medal and race theme. .

    Reply
  10. Debbie says

    December 19, 2021 at 2:00 am

    Gingerbread cookies are a pretty great post-race treat!

    Reply
  11. Laura says

    December 23, 2021 at 9:05 pm

    It’s sad to see more and more races drop the 10K option. Great job on this 5K, it sounds so fun!

    Reply

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Welcome to Runs With Pugs. My name is Jenn and this is the story of my love affair with running and finding myself through fitness. From C25K to marathon, from triathlon to SUP, from broken leg to the recovery journey... I'm sharing it all. I'm a wife and mother of one, living in NE Florida, in love with travel, adventure, and food. Oh. We have pugs and a hedgehog, too. Thank you for joining us! We're glad to have you along for the ride!
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