The 9th Annual MLK Day and Dream 5K

Two days after my last race (Hotcake Hustle) which was dedicated to my mother's 87th birthday, I ran in the ninth annual MLK Day + Dream 5k, 1 mile run/walk. This is the third year in a row that I have participated in this race which was held January 16, 2012, at River Legacy Park in Arlington TX. The race benefited AISD's Blanton and Crow Elementary Schools. With help of volunteers from St. Alban's Episcopal Church, race director Jeph  Abara, always puts on a great low cost race. There were over 20 drawings from several sponsors who donated gifts. As luck would have it, my bib number was selected and I won a pair of sunglasses. It was a bit cloudy at 67 degrees for the 10am 5k start. This is a flat, fast, wooded tree lined course. I was having some discomfort in my right knee, but wouldn't let it slow me down. We started on the street in front of the pavilion. After a short distance we reached the trail. Once I got moving I started to feel a little  better. At the turnaround, I was feeling pretty good and was able to run all out to the finish line. I finished with a time of 24:17 and a 7:49 pace.  I ended up getting 1st place out of 4 in my age group, 22 out of 73 men, and 27 out of 171 overall finishers.  There were 98 female and 73 male finishers.   In the fast 55-59 age group, long time Run On! runner, J.J. Jenkens, and Tony Colon finished 6th and 7th overall with a time of 19:57.  John Ball finished 3rd in that age group and 11th overall. These guys make me glad to be 60. It will only be a few months before they join me in the 60-64 age group, so I guess I should enjoy it while I can.   Maybe I should have dedicated THIS race to my mother...since I actually finished in 1st place. Jeph picks runners at random that did not get an award in their age group and awards them his special Souls + Soules award. When you train and do you best, you appreciate an award like this very much.  He is the only person that I've met that gives out these kind of awards... I think it's pretty cool. The results for this race can be found at www.runningintheusa.com. Place  Bib #   Men   Overall   Pace   1/4   2783   22/73   27/171   7:49 I run to raise awareness for prostate cancer and to benefit my community. www.runningforacause.tumblr.com