Race Report: Race for Rescues 5k/10k (November)
I'm really not a fan of shorter Races. I don't like "Racing". I prefer my Half Marathon pace (or slower). Cuz, let's face it: I'm not fast.
But I couldn't pass up the chance to Run a Race and raise money towards rescue dogs. Especially if I could represent the organization that paired me up with Georgia T. So, I registered for the 5k (opting out of my least favorite distance, 10k) and became the newest member of Team Lovebugs Rescue.
The Race took place at The Great Park, Irvine. Overall, logistics were pretty simple. Pulled into parking pretty easily, registration was a snap and off to find our crew to chat things up before pushing off at 8:30am.
I mean everything about this Race seemed simple. Even the bathroom line was relatively quick. No need to carry your own toilet paper either! (GTQ also experienced her first bathroom stall)
After walking around for a bit, we head over to the Start line. Here's where I knew I was in trouble. Upon lining up, the announcer of the Race says "all Runners who do not have a dog, come to the front. Those Runners with a dog will line up towards the back."
Ah crap! I'm screwed.
You see, I have a dog that insists on being the leader of the pack. She will do everything in her power to be #1. So you can imagine how this goes down.
National Anthem sung by Katrina Parker.
Countdown to start
And, go.
Now remember the scene in Forrest Gump??
http://youtu.be/g4OPX5P9DlQ?t=46s
That was me.
Yup, the not so slow moving pack was Running down the course. And I, well, I had to pull over to the right, outside of the cones, just so I wouldn't bowl anyone over. Georgia and I (hanging on for dear life) sprinted right on past most of the Runners with dogs and most of the Runners without dogs.
I will admit, we never could catch the smaller dog and it's owner about 100 yards ahead of us. If Georgia had a faster owner, I'm sure we would have gotten "First Dog Overall" (self proclaimed category)... instead we settled for "Second Dog Overall' (again, self proclaimed category).
Needless to say, the course was just ok. It's a loop on the old marine runway, but it's little to be seen. All flat, which I was thankful for. But that course is more about convenience than scenery.
Crossing the Finish line we head straight to one of the many water bowls for GTQ to rehydrate. We wait for Molly and Julie to cross through (Julie clearly having a better time with her leisurely pace).
After chatting things up, we proceed to the Expo to take a picture, browse the many dog items for sell and watch the Zumba class. Georgia takes a picture with the Anaheim Ducks Ice Crew and we head over to watch the Adoption Show (think runway for dogs).
Overall, I would recommend this race to anyone looking to have a fun run with their dog and/or kids. It really had a ton of options (food, expo, music, adoption show, etc) that kept you entertained.
6 out 10 (Good, but not one my favorites...)
But I couldn't pass up the chance to Run a Race and raise money towards rescue dogs. Especially if I could represent the organization that paired me up with Georgia T. So, I registered for the 5k (opting out of my least favorite distance, 10k) and became the newest member of Team Lovebugs Rescue.
The Race took place at The Great Park, Irvine. Overall, logistics were pretty simple. Pulled into parking pretty easily, registration was a snap and off to find our crew to chat things up before pushing off at 8:30am.
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| Georgia (GTQ) and Molly getting race ready |
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| Heading over to the start line. Happy and eager to get "First Dog Overall" |
Ah crap! I'm screwed.
You see, I have a dog that insists on being the leader of the pack. She will do everything in her power to be #1. So you can imagine how this goes down.
National Anthem sung by Katrina Parker.
Countdown to start
And, go.
Now remember the scene in Forrest Gump??
http://youtu.be/g4OPX5P9DlQ?t=46s
That was me.
Yup, the not so slow moving pack was Running down the course. And I, well, I had to pull over to the right, outside of the cones, just so I wouldn't bowl anyone over. Georgia and I (hanging on for dear life) sprinted right on past most of the Runners with dogs and most of the Runners without dogs.
I will admit, we never could catch the smaller dog and it's owner about 100 yards ahead of us. If Georgia had a faster owner, I'm sure we would have gotten "First Dog Overall" (self proclaimed category)... instead we settled for "Second Dog Overall' (again, self proclaimed category).
Needless to say, the course was just ok. It's a loop on the old marine runway, but it's little to be seen. All flat, which I was thankful for. But that course is more about convenience than scenery.
Crossing the Finish line we head straight to one of the many water bowls for GTQ to rehydrate. We wait for Molly and Julie to cross through (Julie clearly having a better time with her leisurely pace).
Final stats:
- Lovebugs Rescue, #1 Fundraising Team for Race For Rescues
- Heather from Lovebugs Rescue, #1 Fundraiser overall for Race For Rescues
- Georgia "Second Dog Overall" (self proclaimed - noticing an opportunity here??)
- Me, third in age group (because of Second Place Dog)
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| Georgia wearing my medal |
Pros of Race:
- An approved Dog Friendly Race!
- 1k, 5k & 10k options
- Super easy + free parking
- Super easy registration (even for day of packet pickup)
- Bathrooms were not packed and you had an option to use a REAL bathroom, not just a port-a-pottie
- Expo was packed with options (mostly dog, cat or horse related)
- Adoption show encouraging you to adopt
- Zumba class
- Fundraising for Rescues - plus a unique "Couch Potato" race allowing you to fundraise without racing
- Registration was in par with 5k's - I paid $30
- Money raised goes towards homeless dogs, cats and horse organizations of Southern California
- T-Shirt
- Overall, everyone was happy to participate in a good cause - besides, dogs make humans happy
- Website was pretty simple, especially the personal fundraising pages
- Cool medals for top three in age group + overall
- Cool prizes for raising milestone funds (i.e. $500 raised got you a $50 Amazon Gift Card)
- Two races: LA county and OC county
- Family friendly race too
- Food trucks at Expo
- Honestly, it was a beautiful day and we could have hung out longer (if there was beer)
Things that sucked:
- Course is pretty boring
- Really wished, considering this was a race for rescues, there was a Dog Category for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, treated like a category
- Likewise, I wish they had a dog "wave" so we didn't start in the back of the pack
- No Beer Garden :( (you all know my standards) - we ended up at Lazy Dog instead
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| Team Lovebugs Rescue #1 in fundraising efforts! |
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| Even without beer, Georgia had a blast! |
6 out 10 (Good, but not one my favorites...)
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