COLUMN: Trailing or Leading: Creation of a 5k

People were smiling. They were smiling after running or walking for 3.2 miles. I consider that a declaration that the inaugural MYPath 5k was a success.

A few months ago, I shared with you that we were planning a 5k race on the new MYPath trail to highlight the trail... that wasn't finished yet. Also, the race was planned as a fun community event that promoted healthy activity.

Here is a little behind the scenes look at planning a 5k race. First of all, a 5k race seems more achievable by more people. A 10k is a longer event, obviously. It requires more prep by the participants and the organizers. Walkers are discouraged because they take too long. A half-marathon requires even more preparation and serious training by the participants. A marathon? Let's not even talk about that.

But a 5k is very doable. There are online guides on how you can train from "couch to 5k." People don't have to be in their best shape to participate. There are always people participating in their first 5k, just to see what it's all about. Walking is fine. There was even a dog at our event. And, like I said, everybody was smiling, even the dog.

So, the participants had fun. What about the organizers? We had several meetings. I have participated in many 5ks, but I have never planned one. Shawn Williams and Curt Winders are very experienced at planning race events, most notably Hoosiers Outrun Cancer that is held each year in Bloomington. At our meetings we talked about cost to register. We talked about t-shirt design. We talked about timing the race. We talked about prizes for the winners. We talked about sponsors. We talked about the route. In other words, we had fun too.

Route? You may remember a few columns ago, I shared how we were going on faith. We were planning a race before the MYPath trail was finished. Pavement wasn't complete. There was NO bridge over Elliston Creek. We couldn't measure the route, to make sure it was a 5k, until a few weeks before the race. And then we had to make adjustments.

There are online ways to estimate a route's distance. But eventually, you have to get out a measuring wheel and walk the route. Our route ended up starting near the Owen County Fairgrounds' big chicken. Participants went into the fairgrounds and circled out to the north entrance and ran on streets into Cooper Commons. Then they crossed the Veterans Memorial Bridge and followed the paved MYPath all the way to River Road. They ran and walked a short distance down River Road and cut back onto the trail and wound through the tree tubes until they got back to Pottersville Road. Then they returned to the start/finish line near the chicken.

We had the route. But we needed to mark the route. We placed a lot of signs to make sure people knew where to turn. We placed a lot of traffic cones to keep people safe and to make sure they didn't get lost. We placed volunteers at some of the turns, again to make sure people knew where to go. We spent a lot of time on the natural-surface tree-tube trail filling holes and painting stumps and other trip hazards with bright paint.

Our great volunteers made this work. In addition to Shawn Williams and I, Mike Steinway helped place and collect cones. Lisa Williams and Shawn Hannon helped participants check in. Barb Thompson, Will Watt, Mark Rogers and Jim Hardy helped participants know where to turn. Terry Urban and Amy Arnold were at the water table, providing water for thirsty people on the course.

Congratulations go to the fastest male competitor, Ricky Eakin with a time of 18.51. Anne Eakin was the fastest female and the number two overall finisher with a time of 23:05. But don't look at those times and think this race is not for you. The last place time was about one hour. You can fit in this range of times, and have fun. If you think you need a year to get ready to participate in a 5k, get started. We will do this again about this time next year.

Kyle Hannon is the project manager for the MYPath Trail System. He has served in many community development and trail connection roles throughout the state. On many weekends, he serves as an interpretive specialist at McCormick's Creek State Park.