Race photos are here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/qbGE73ve2bTJePhX8
BEFORE MY START: On March 20, I did my 7th race of 2021, the Wanderlust 5K, held in Fredericksburg, Texas. The main event was a half marathon and there was also a 10K. This event was the 3rd race in a series of 4 races called Texas Hill Country Races. People can sign up for the whole series or any individual race. Since the 5K was the last to start – at 9:01 a.m. – I got to sleep in a bit before my drive from San Antonio to Fredericksburg, which takes just a little over an hour from where I live. I arrived at race site with about 40 minutes to start 5K time and the 10K folks were lining up to get going. I had already gotten my race bib the day before, so while waiting for the 5K start, I got a few pre-start photos.
ON THE COURSE: Normally, this course starts on the street in front of the “Marktplatz” (Market Square), but this year we lined up in the pavilion square and then did a “social distancing” start from the start line on part of the Market Square. The start area had us going toward the Vereins Kerche Museum, a replica building of the historic one that was built in Fredericksburg only a year after it was settled. This was a short path on brick pavement, passing in front and to the side of the building and by a very pretty little park behind the building, before we went out onto paved streets. We then proceeded to do sort of “loop” course through some very nice wide streets with very little traffic; plenty of room for all to maneuver. Our last mile as we 5K folks headed back to the finish, we started seeing a few of the faster ½ marathon and faster 10K folks heading to the finish also. The last mile of the course was pretty much the same finish for all the races. I ended up 4th in my 65 – 69 age group with a time of 37:12, averaging 12:14 per mile. Even though at start time, the temp was a cool 41 degrees or so, we had abundant sunshine and blue skies, so I think I overdressed a tad with a base layer underneath my running shirt. I usually do tend to overdress a bit on cooler mornings as I just do not like being cold; the older I get the more I seem to feel it, lol. Even so, all good, and my last mile was a negative split at 11:48 for that mile.
AFTER MY FINISH: Stood by the finish line and got a few photos of other participants finishing up as I waited for friend Ralph to finish. Never did see him come in, so I must have missed him after I first finished, when I was getting my finisher medal and putting back on my dry shirt I had brought. Sorry, Ralph. Got some water and wandered around taking “after’ photos and treating doggies with the dog biscuits I had in my pockets – I even treated one along the course, lol. Also enjoyed some post-race goodies, and there were quite a few of them, including bloody mary drinks, Alamo beer, Kiolbassa sausage on a stick and more. Scallywompus has a motto “Come for the race. Stay for the party” – and they are not kidding either. Really nicely done.
Epilogue: Scallywompus events, with timing/results from a great local area race management company iaap, are always a class act. Co-owner Bart and his crew take really good care of the participants. Really nicely laid out courses, offering something for everyone, from the shorter 5K for folks like me who can’t run distance anymore and/or don’t want to do longer distances, up to those longer distances on some courses that can be pretty challenging in some places. Finisher medal for all finishers and nice quality race shirts. And, of course, that great after-party. If you’ve never done a Scallywompus event, give it a try, you might like it.
MUCHO THANKS TO: Bart; race director Tony Garcia; our sound/music man Paul, and our lovely event MC – and her name just popped right out of my head, sorry about that – and all the volunteers, sponsors, supporters, law enforcement officers, medical staff, and anyone else I may not have mentioned here that do what they do so we participants could enjoy this event. Also, thanks to the “people in charge” in Fredericksburg who allowed permission for this “live” event in the city limits.
Scottydog Reports 