Race #484 -- Locust Lucky Leprechaun 5k -- Locust, NC -- 03/14/2021

Wanting to make up for lost time and get back into racing shape, I decided to sign up for the Vac & Dash Spring Trifecta 5k Series. It's a series of three races, all on Sunday afternoons at 3 p.m. in March and April. I've always preferred afternoon races, and I like Sunday races because they don't interfere with Saturday races just in case you'd like to run two races on a weekend.

This was the first race in the Trifecta Series, and it was the first time I've visited Locust, which is a beautiful little city between Charlotte and Albemarle. The Town Center provided a perfect venue for a race and the weather was perfect.

I definitely didn't set any speed records, but I did meet my more realistic goal of running under 27 minutes. Two weeks ago at a similar race my time was 27:39, and having changed my run/walk ratio in favor of more running and less walking, I thought I might be able to get a little faster time. I ran a minute and 4 seconds faster in this race and cut 20 seconds of my pace, from 8:53 to 8:33, so that's some progress.


If my fitness level improves I'm hopeful that I might be able to eventually get back to running a 5k at 25 minutes or so, but it all depends on how I do with injuries, weight, training, and other variables.
This pic was taken after the race, but before the race I was introduced to 17-year-old Marshall Love by his father Hugh, who told me he enjoyed reading my blog and that I was an inspiration for him to create a blog about his son's racing adventures. Marshall was the overall winner of the race with a time of 17:25, a blistering pace of 5:37! His dad says he's just been running a couple years.

One of the perks of the Vac & Dash races is that they almost always have one or more photographers at the race and provide free photos.

Top 3 Overall Males

Top 3 Overall Females. They're all fast but Lynn (#759) is still amazing at 60!

Top 3 Males in the 60-69 Age Group. Lately they're using me as their whipping boy.

In honor of "Pi Day" (3/14) random race finishers won pies from a local bakery!

Race Name:  2nd Annual Vac & Dash Locust Lucky Leprechaun 5k

Location:  Locust, North Carolina

Date:  March 14, 2021

Race Rating:  84

Top 10 Overall:


Course:


Elevation by Mile:


Weather at Start:


Click Here for Race Results

Click Here for Race Photos

My Stats:

  • Time:  26:35
  • Pace:  8:35
  • Age Group (60-69):  5 of 11
  • Overall:  28 of 108
  • Average Heart Rate:  156
  • Maximum Heart Rate:  167
  • Age Grade Percentage:  65.58



***************
* RACE RATING *
***************

RACE COURSE 

0 - Chip & Gun Timing: (3 points if yes)

2 - Water Stops: (0)none  (2)normal  (5)extras [Gu, sports drink, etc.]

1 - Course Marking:  (0)bad  (1)good

4 - Course Scenery:  (0-5) 1=bad  and 5=fantastic

1 - Mile Markers: (0)poor or none  (1)normal  (2)with clocks or time called out

2 - Volunteers:  (0)too few  (2)good

6 - Finish line: (0-9)   0=bad  and 9=spectacular!

0 - Certified Course: (0)no  (2) yes

2 - Correct Distance: (0)no  (2)yes

1 - Partly or fully on unpaved roads:  (0)yes  (1)no


REGISTRATION 

2 - Cost:  (0)expensive  (2)reasonable  (5)cheap!

3 - Race Day Registration:  (0)no  (3)yes


RESULTS

2 - Posted online within 24 hours:  (0)no  (2)yes

1 - Easy to find results:  (0)no  (1)yes


AGE GROUPS

2 - 3 deep awards: (2)yes (0 for anything less)

0 - 5-year age groups (5 points) (0 for anything less)

1 - 14 and under group (1)

0 - 65+ group (1)

1 - 70+ group (1)

2 - Top Overall M/F:  (0)none; (1) first only; (2)top 3 or better

0 - Masters Category(40+): (0)no  (2)yes

0 - Grand Masters Category (50+):  (0)no  (3)yes

0 - Senior Grand Masters Category: (0)no  (5)yes


AWARDS

2 - Overall Winner Awards: (0)none  (2)yes  (5)excellent

2 - Age Group Awards: (0)none  (2)yes  (5)excellent

6 - Door Prizes or Drawing: (0-9)

0 - Finisher Medals for All Finishers: (0)no  (3)yes  (5)really cool medals


POST RACE 

4 - Food for Race Participants: (0-10 with 5 being average)

6 - Entertainment:  (0)no  (1-9)yes

0 - Finisher times posted after race:  (0)no  (2)yes


REST ROOMS 

2 - Porta Potties:  (0)no  (1)limited, long lines  (2)plentiful

0 - Indoor Restrooms: (0)no  (1)limited, long lines  (2)plentiful


T-SHIRTS

2 - T-Shirts: (0)no  (2)yes

3 - Design: (1-5)

2 - Material Quality: (1-3)

0 - Discount for no-shirt option:  (0)no (2)yes


PHOTOGRAPHY 

0 - Professional Photography: (0)no  (5)yes

x - Prices: (1)expensive  (3)reasonable  (5)cheap

10 - Free Photographs (newspaper, etc.):  (0)no  (1-10)yes 


PARKING 

2 - Close to Start:  (2)yes  (0)no

2 - Close to Finish:  (2)yes  (0)no

2 - Plenty of spaces:  (2)yes  (0)no

2 - Free Parking:  (2)yes  (0)no


OTHER

0 - Shelter from Inclement Weather (needed or not): (0)no  (2)yes

2 - Swag (free socks, water bottles, etc.): (0)no  (2)yes, some  (5)excellent

2 - Part of race series or Grand Prix:  (0)no  (2)yes

0 - Kids Fun Run: (0)no   (2)yes

x - Miscellaneous not covered above: (-10 to +10)


TOTAL:  84


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