Run Scared 5k

 

online presents  

Race Reports

  brought to you by

7210 Greenlake Dr N, Seattle, WA
16095 Cleveland St., Redmond, WA

x

         The Run Scared 5k

by Judy Fisher
with photos by Bruce Fisher

x

---

x

x

October 31 – Seward Park

The Silver Striders let their spirits run wild at the 13th annual Run Scared 5K at Seward Park, held, fittingly, on Halloween! This is one of the most inclusive races in the area, thanks to Race Director Ilana Balint, founder of Run For Good Racing Company. She made this race appealing to many. The event offered a 5K, 10K, 2-mile walk/run, kids’ 1/4 mile run (free) and virtual race.

x

 

Costumed tykes brought smiles to many. Families were part of the enjoyment. My daughter, Heidi, and granddaughter, Samantha, participated, to my delight!

Pirates abounded, that being the theme this year. Canines (dogs, not fangs) were provided the opportunity to model their Halloween best. Little goblins were offered a Treasure Hunt with prizes and a kids’ tent with games and activities. And of course, CANDY!

The weather was glorious! Participants enjoyed a cool, sunny autumn race. The course was paved and ran along Lake Washington with Mt. Rainier in the distance. The route was flat, except for two uphills in the inner loop. The course was not USATF certified, but the Race Director assured me it was “wheel measured.” Volunteer cheerleaders encouraged all those on the course.

Creativity knew no bounds! Silver Strider Mary Duncan dressed as Bloody Mary, complete with miniature liquor bottles, celery, asparagus, and of course, a gashed forehead (yes, her name really is Mary!). Another was the (Grim) Sweeper, with a ghoulish face and enrobed in black, whose job it was to follow the last runner (stay ahead of this guy!).

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

The Run Scared 5K was the 5th race of 7 in the Tortoise and Hare Handicap Series. Of the 337 who finished the 5K, 87 were Silver Striders. The first male Silver Strider was Ufuk Ince at 23:01 and the first female was Leslie Silver at 24:27.

Awards of orange camp mugs and plaques were given to the top finishers in male, female and non-binary categories. Pumpkins were awarded to overall winners. A photo booth with pirate props was available for free download photos and a live DJ added to the festive atmosphere. The post-race party offered a candy corn tasting bar and vendors proffered many treats, including bagels, cookies, crackers, food bars, and bottled water. And, of course, more CANDY!

The Run Scared benefited The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, a charitable organization whose purpose is to fight blood diseases, including Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma.

King County COVID Safety measures were taken as proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test had to be shown at Packet Pickup. Masks were worn by many (though many were of the spooky variety).

Thank you, Ilana, and all the volunteers, donors, vendors and participants for making this a safe, festive celebration of fun, family and Halloween fantasies, all for a worthwhile cause. We hope to see this holiday race continue for many more years!

x

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jerry’s notes: This was a good turnout of Tortoise and Hare Series players. I really hated to miss the post race get together at the Blue Water Bistro. It’s my favorite restaurant.
The race course featured a big hill resulting in some widely scattered handicapped results. See handicapped results at the end of this article

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

xxxxxxx Results in photos by Bruce Fisher

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxPost-race brunch at Bluwater Bistro table 1 (Steve Husko photo)

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxPost-race brunch at the Bluwater Bistro table 2 (Steve Husko photo)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

X

xxxxxxxThe Handicapped Results for the Tortoise and Hare Series

The baseline for men is 20 minutes. For women it is 25 minutes.
With perfect up to date handicapping and everyone doing their best at the correct distance, the result would see all men finishing in 20 minutes and all women in 25.
Unfortunately, the course had a big hill that threw everything off. So handicap adjustments will be made only in a few extreme cases.

XXXMEN’S RACE:
1 – Ray Arrington 19:04 – $50 gift certificate
2 – Dave Sherman 19:38
3 – Steve Husko 19:43
4 – Arne Hales 19:50
5 – John Marsteller 20:35
6 – Anthony McKay 21:55
7 – Karl Johnson 22:10
8 – Martinho Riberio 22:45
9 – Steve Ramsdell 24:38

XXXWOMEN’S RACE:
1 – Molly Childs 23:32 – $50 gift certificate
2 – Judy Fisher 25:20
3 – Karen Lichtenstein 25:22
4 – Nanci Larsen 25:50
5 – Sandra Madden 26:13
6 – Louise Mihay 26:47
7 – Charlea Sherman 27:41
8 – Gretchen Ramsdell 28:25
9 – Patty Husko 31:03
10 – Diane Martin 39:14
11 – Marsha Murray 41:27

xxxVIRTUAL RUNNERS
1 – Jerry Dietrich 20:38
2 – Tiare Bailey 28:31
3- Nick Bailey 25:57
4 – Diane Johnson 33:00