Race #144 - Big Red Shoe 5k - Charlotte, NC - 09/10/11

Jonas runs with dad (our son Dave) in his first official race.
This was a special race for us -- the 1k was our 3-year-old grandson Jonas's first race ever. We'd been hoping we could take him to a race all summer and it didn't work out until September, but it was a great first race for him. Add a petting zoo, moon bounce, clowns, balloons, and lots of other excitement for kids and it was a perfect Saturday morning at the races.

The 5k was a good one for me as well. I finished with my second best 5k time of the year -- 20:13 -- and was 5th overall in the race, winning the Grand Masters and a $50 Omega Sports gift certificate.

Proceeds from this race go to the Ronald McDonald House (thus the "Big Red Shoe" moniker) and Myers Park Baptist Church does a good job with it. All participants get a free pancake breakfast after the race, and there were other goodies available such as watermelon and frozen yogurt.







Click Here for Race Results
Click Here for Race Photos at Carolina SportPix

Race Rating:

7 - 1-10 Website (Information, results, registration, photo links, etc.)
8 - 1-10 Awards (Quality of medals, trophies, etc.) (1 to 10) (No trophies but lots of money$$)
6 - 1-10 Awards Presentation (PA system, winning times, etc.) (1 to 10)
8 - 1-10 Food for Race Participants (1 to 10)
5 - 1-10 T-Shirts (1 to 10 with 5 being average)
4 - 4/6 Part of Race Series (Grand Prix, etc.) (6=Yes and 4=No)
5 - 0/5 Professional Photography (5=Yes and 0=No)
6 - 4/6 Chip Timing (6=Yes and 4=No)
7 - 3/7 Certified Course (by USA Track & Field) (7=Yes and 3=No)
7 - 1-10 Course (1 to 10 with 5 being average)
6 - 1-10 Parking (1 to 10 with 5 being average)
9 - 1-10 Entertainment (1 to 10 with 5 being average)
10 - 0-10 Age Groups (10 if 5-year groups; 0 if 10-year groups)
5 - 0/5 Indoor Shelter from Elements (0 if none; 5 if provided)
5 - 1-10 Bathroom Facilities
0 - 0-10 Other

TOTAL - 99

Race Stats:

1st Overall Male:  Chris Parnek (18:22)
1st Overall Female:  Cynthia Lucas (21:09)
Total Finishers:  156

My Stats:

Time:  20:13
Pace:  6:31
Age Group:  1 of 5
Overall:  5 of 156

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