I hope I’m not alone when I say there is a race I try to run every year. While I have a lot of favorites, there is one race in particular for which I keep registering. It’s the Florida Striders Memorial Day 5K, and it occurs on Memorial Day each year. Why is it so great? I’d love to share!
The Memorial Day 5K Was My First Ever Race!
Way back in 2013, when I started running, the Memorial Day 5K was the first race I ever ran. It worked out with the timing of my training, it was around my birthday, and it provided a medal. For me, these things checked all the boxes, and I was hooked!
The Race Is A Good Size
I like events with just their right amount of people, and the Memorial Day 5K usually has around 1000 runners. This works out well for me, not too big and not too small. For me, too few people is intimidating, and too many people can be suffocating. I like the vibe and community feel of this race.
The Race Course Is Nice
While it’s nothing incredible, the Memorial Day 5K has a nice course. It’s not the fastest course, due to some twists and turns, but it’s pretty and has a decent amount of shade for a warm May day. The neighborhoods are pretty, and there are two well stocked water stops. Zero complaints there.
A Great Crew Of People Run This Event
And isn’t that what matters? There is always great crowd support and an amazing crew of people out on the course. I love how much fun that makes things! For me, the experience matters and it’s always a good time with this running group!
The Swag Is Always Great
Every year, runners get a nice t-shirt and a nice medal, too. Again, it’s not the most impressive bit of swag, but it’s a lovely memento of a wonderful race, in honor of the fallen. I treasure each medal I earn from this event.
And now, I have to register for the 2024 event! I’ve only missed a few of these races since I started running, and I don’t want that to happen again!
Do you have a favorite race you run every year?
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This year, I am joining up with Zenaida, of The Running Teacher for Tuesday Topics! Please join us every week for a new topic!
This looks like a perfect event! I like the distance and the size of the race, too!
Is this a far drive from your home or nearby?
It’s about a 25-30 minute drive, which is fairly typical.
This looks great. I’m glad you run and enjoy it for the creations you mentioned.
I run our local 5k in June. Freihofer’s.
I know you love that one!
A lot of us run repeat races for the same reasons, often times because they were monumental “firsts.” I love the feeling of returning to familiar events…much less race day anxiety when you know the layout & routine 🙂
They are great reasons, as far as I am concerned!
I love having a few hometown favorite races too! You know the course and what to expect. Mine are cherry blossom and For the love 10K.
I love this! My one race I tried to run every year was at Halloween time, and was put on by the library in my brother’s town (one town over from mine). It’s a 5K and 1 mile of it is on a trail which is something a little different and fun. It used to be a costume race and my group of friends and I won best group costume several years in a row. They stopped the costume part awhile back though. Not sure why, that was a fun part!
Unfortunately, I ruptured my ACL a couple years ago, so I haven’t been able to run it in awhile. They have a walker option that I may do next year. I miss running it though!
This is the perfect race to run every year! Not too many 5k offer a medal and it is nice that you get one.