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You are here: Home / Uncategorized / race report: florida striders memorial day 5K (5.29.23)

race report: florida striders memorial day 5K (5.29.23)

May 31, 2023      8 Comments

Ten years ago, I toed the start line of the Florida Striders Memorial Day 5K, as my very first race experience. It was the start of a decade-long hobby/obsession, and on Monday, I lined back up to do it all over again. To be fair, I have not run this actual race ten times (although I did it as often as possible), but it continues to be an event I love.

memorial day 5k

Packet PickUp + The Morning Of The Memorial Day 5k

Since it was a Monday morning race, I opted to get my bib and t-shirt at the venue itself. We had a packed weekend, and I didn’t feel like making an extra trip anywhere. I did set up my flat runner the night before.

memorial day 5k

I arrived at the site at about 6:50AM. Parking stresses me out. However, there were still a few spots at the Orange Park Town Hall, and plenty in the next door shopping center. I parked, and walked over to the gazebo for packet pickup. There was no line, and I got my bib and my shirt, although the volunteer told me I would have to come back in a bit if I wanted safety pins. Lucky for me, I grabbed a few from home on my way out.

Then it was time to wait. There were portapotties, but for some reason, they were about 1.5 blocks past the start line. Annoying, especially since I had to go a few times. But then I met up with my local running group, and found my place at the start.

Miles 1 – 2

After a tribute to our fallen heroes, and a live rendition of the National Anthem, the Memorial Day 5K began.

This race has a pretty straightforward course: it’s part loop, part out-and-back. Most of it is shaded by big trees, as runners travel through pretty residential areas. And it’s even a little hilly, for Florida. With an 8AM start time, it does warm up quickly, and the humidity absolutely closes in fast, but as long as the trees hold off the sun, it’s all good.

I went out feeling ok, encountered the first water stop, and continued on. The fastest runners passed us at one intersection, but then we went on past them for the big loop portion of the race.

Miles 2-3.1

From this point on, we were running back. The water volunteers hopped to the other side of the road to catch everyone on the way back (still none for me).

There are quite a few turns on this course, so it can be a bit daunting. But finally, we hit the last couple of turns and headed towards the finish line. We were all pretty ready to be done.

Finish Line + Post Race

It was not a PR, nor was it my slowest, but I did enjoy the heck out of this race. I always do. I crossed the finish line and got my medal. Check these out! I didn’t notice the error at first – I was too caught up in watching other finishers come through, but now it just makes me laugh.

The race organizers put out water and snacks. Last year, they had Jeremiah’s ice handing out little cups to the runners, which was a nice touch, but the Oreos and goldfish did the trick.

We got one more group shot with as many people as we could collect at the finish. This is such an awesome and supportive group of runners – it’s great to see them at the local events, and know that they are always cheering each other on.

And then just a few more. I am always up for fun pictures.

Finally, we said our goodbyes, and I took myself to breakfast at the coffee shop I pass on my way home. I wanted to go to the adjacent water front park for a few more pics, but there was a Memorial Day event going on so I just satisfied myself with an iced coffee and biscuit sandwich.

I saved the jump for home.

Final Thoughts

The Memorial Day 5K is a small race, but it’s a good one. Obviously, it’s for a noble cause, which helps. There are always solid amenities (nice medal and shirt, snacks, plenty of water, and a good course), and that makes it one of my favorites.

Sure, the bathrooms were inconvenient and there was a spelling error on the medals, but these things happen. I’ll keep coming back for sure. And next time, I’ll get more than four hours of sleep!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lisa @ Mile by Mile says

    May 31, 2023 at 9:20 am

    Congrats on your race! Sounds like a fun event. That’s kind of funny about the spelling error on the medal! I wonder if/when they realized that….

    Reply
  2. Darlene S Cardillo says

    May 31, 2023 at 12:21 pm

    That’s so great that you did it and you enjoyed it. Love that you connected with a bunch of runners too. Races are much more fun with you run them with others. Oops on the medal error. Races here rarely give medals other than for a half marathon or marathon.

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      June 1, 2023 at 5:05 pm

      It was pretty funny!

      And this is such a great group! I am glad I found them.

      Reply
  3. Jenny says

    May 31, 2023 at 2:13 pm

    A Florida race with shade??? Sign me up! I did have to laugh at the photo of you running- if you look way to the right there’s a guy wearing a hat and sweatshirt, WHY. It reminds me of the guy wearing jeans at the very hot Mother’s Day race I did last year.
    Anyway, it sounds really fun, and I’m glad you enjoyed it! That error on the medal is funny- how did no one catch that? Oh well- it makes it unique.

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      June 1, 2023 at 5:01 pm

      We do have a lot of live oaks around, so sometimes you get lucky. I’m not saying it was cooler, but the sun wasn’t beating down too terribly.

      I was going to make a comment about the two in long sleeves – in fairness, I get super hot just existing, and it was a tiny bit cooler when we arrived, so maybe they were just overdressed? Or maybe something’s very wrong with me LOL!

      As far as the medals – maybe it was a rush order and by the time they caught it, it was too late. We all had a laugh.

      Reply
  4. Debbie says

    June 1, 2023 at 3:17 am

    Congratulations! So cool to go back to your very first race. Mine (which was a local 10k) doesn’t exist anymore. Well, it was almost 30 years ago, so…

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      June 1, 2023 at 4:55 pm

      I wonder how long this one will go on!

      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 a grumble of pugs, too. Thank you for joining us! We're glad to have you along for the ride!

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