Notes
C off to see R and R in NY, so I dropped her off and then went here. Saw HD and SP, talked to E who is family friend of HD. Awesome course. I measured 18:18 on watch. I'll take it as a semi-legit time. Definitely the best value ($20 race day) I've seen in a while. I passed HD at about 2, and E a little while later. E passed me back (and apparently SP too) down the closing quarter. E is going to be a monster when he gets a little older.
Notes I sent to clines running corner:
The Carrollton Trails 5K is unusual because school busses carry runners to the starting line of its point to point, net downhill course. Actually, the busses carry runners both to the starting line, and then from the finishing area back to the parking lot at Creekview High School. Based on comments heard onboard, a lot of people thought the experience was novel - "there weren't any seat belts on busses when I was in school."
The course covers a concrete path through a nice section of Carrollton and runners got a views of water, ducks, green spaces, and tree-lined residential areas. At least two runners shared that their GPS reported a net elevation loss of about 50 feet. There were no big hills, but there were a couple of tight 90 degree turns. Ken Ashby measured the course, so net descent aside, runners should feel comfortable in trusting the distance if they got a good time in the unseasonably cool weather. Mr. Ashby took the extra step of marking off quarter miles on the last mile of the course.
Overall male and female runners received a nice looking glass trophy, and all other winners took home a gender and age group specific medal. Age groups were in 10 year increments and awards went three deep. Results were available, if you asked, at the timer's desk after the race and were promised to be online within a couple of days.