For a while, I was kind of nervous about my fall racing plans. Nothing was really fall-ing into place (pun intended). The marching band schedule and travel made things tricky. I thought I was going to have to really scramble in order to get in 12 races (I aim for one a month, but if I have to double up to compensate, that’s fine). However, over the last week, everything shifted and found its order.
September
After a somewhat disappointing August, I struggled to find something for September. The rainy weather wasn’t helping: it’s hard to spend money on a registration fee knowing you’ll be paying for the “pleasure” of running in a torrential downpour. Yuck. So I hemmed and hawed, and then the Ponte Vedra 10-Miler Presented by Alter Ego popped up in my email. I am in zero position to run 10 miles right now, but there was a 5K. The swag is great, I’m an ambassador for Alter Ego, and it was on a Sunday, which was much easier for my schedule. Done. I’m kind of excited for the goodies, too: a hat, sunglasses, medal, t-shirt, and bag, in addition to an afterparty. Super fun.
October
So you already know that I’ve got my spot at the Great Balloon Chase 5K. Honestly, I have no idea what to expect. I figure I will be beyond overwhelmed by the sight of all the hot air balloons rising around us that I won’t be able to focus on anything, but this is one of those experience events, and I’m ok with that.
November
Right now, November is sort of my missing link. I don’t think we’re traveling for Thanksgiving this year, so I could do one of the local turkey trots. There are actually several, so I have my choice. My other option is the Cottonmouth Quarter Marathon and 5K. This is a really good race, set in early November. It’s in the farmlands near me, so the views are pretty, and the medal is always cool. We ran it a few years ago and I liked it, so it would be nice to go back.
December
It’s always tricky finding a race at the holidays, but once again, my email inbox provided an answer. There is a beautiful farm called Congaree & Penn about an hour away from us. It’s a working farm with a small vineyard, livestock, an apiary and a cider. People can have meals at the restaurant, come out to pick things like blackberries or pumpkins, and even hold events. Well, this year, they are hosting a Spiked Apple 5K and don’t you know I signed right up for that! Runners get a medal, shirt, and wine glass for a pour of cider. There are also cider donuts, which I realize isn’t a December thing, but this is Florida so we take what we can get.
What are your fall racing plans? Do you struggle finding events around the holidays? Do you prefer races on Saturday or Sunday?
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These all sound like very cool races! You will definitely reach your goal of 12 races this year.
I’m always in awe of how much swag you get compared to races in Europe and South Africa.
My guess is that it’s probably easier to get sponsors on board in the US? How much do you pay for registrations fees?
It really depends. I only paid $30 for the Spiked Cider 5K. That’s pretty on the nose for a local 5K around here. Alter Ego was probably close to $50, but I signed up late and used a discount code. And the hot air balloon race was a whopping $75, but you are 100% paying for the experience there, so I didn’t care. How does that compare to fees by you?
Florida has so many cool races. We don’t have swag for a 5k … just for half marathons.
I’m doing a Pirate race in Florida in Dec. There’s one in Clearwater that I want to do next winter.
During boating season, Sat was my preference but otherwise I don’t care.
We do, and I think part of the reason we have so much swag is because of trying to keep up with Disney. I’m not complaining. I like goodie bags 🙂
I am excited for you to do the hot air balloon race! It looks so fun. For the first time in a long time, I have not signed up for a fall race
That must have been tough 🙁
Honestly, it’s just going to be lots of pictures of me crying with joy and looking up. The running is absolutely a side thing in this case.
Do you usually plan to race every month? Honestly, with all the registration fees, I’ve become a little picky, but there are so many fall races. Since I am marathon training right now, I am contemplating throwing in a half (maybe) and a 20-miler this fall in preparation for the December marathon.
Congrats on the 5k. And I think the other races you picked out sound really fun, esp. the one with the hot air ballons!
(I prefer Saturday races, btw. No reason why, probably so I get Sunday to recuperate.)