Photos are here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/o5qpesz6dNEopvN68
Before The Start: My 49th race of 2022 was the CleftStrong 5K held on October 8 at McAllister Park in San Antonio. There was also a Kid’s Run. This event, per their website, is the primary fundraiser for CleftStrong, which works to promote understanding of craniofacial conditions; and create events that foster hope, motivation, for those in the community, and to raise research funds. There was an opening ceremony, the National Anthem, then the Kid’s Race, and then the 5K started at 9 a.m. I live very close to McAllister Park so slept in a bit, and then arrived on-site at 8 a.m and got a few pre-start photos.
On The Course: There was something like 9 other races around the local area, so lots of competition to get participants to sign up for each of these. This event ended up with 131 finishers. Large enough to be a lot of fun and small enough so there was lots of room for everyone on the course, very nice. Our start and finish was in front of the lower soccer fields at McAllister Park, the 2nd largest park in the San Antonio area. We headed past the youth baseball field, then onto a paved park road that took us just down from Becken Pavilion. Before we got to Becken Pavilion, we made a left turn onto one of the park’s off-road paved trails,, then a left turn onto another trail just down from Becken Pavilion. This trail took us to our turn-round point, where we rounded the turn-round cones and went back to the finish the way we had come out. I ended up 2nd of 4 in my 60-69 males age group, 40:45 chip time.
After My Finish: Got a couple photos of others coming in, then went in search of water and post-race goodies. I did enjoy a very good paletta (popsicle) after the 5K. There was also a food truck on-site, and lots of vendors/sponsors had some table treats. After a brief rest of munching and hydrating, I then went around chatting with other participants and getting some more post-race photos.
Epilogue: This is really a very nicely organized event, with iaap doing their usual great job of course set-up, timing and results. Really nice quality race tee; I ordered a Youth Small and when I went to packet pickup, they said “Umm, I don’t think that’s going to fit you.” No, it won’t, lol. I told them I wanted them to give it to one of their kids they are helping, so they said they would do that. Very nice course with lots of shade – although it was a pleasant 60-something degrees for this event, so very nice weather. Food truck onsite, nice, paletta (popsicle) lady on site too and, as noted, lots of vendors giving away some treats. Dog friendly event, stroller friendly, kid friendly. Very nicely designed race bibs and finisher medals, and nice trophies for the overall winners. I’ve done this one in the past, will definitely do this again, and certainly would recommend it to others. Much thanks to iaap; all the sponsors/vendors; the park police officers out there for our safety, all the race volunteers that helped make this one happen; our sound-and-music folks there; and, of course, to the CleftStrong 5K people that get this one organized each year for we participants for such a great cause. Apologies if I missed anyone. Thanks to you all!
Scottydog Reports 