Silver online presents 

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The 2024 Independence Day 5k 

By Jerry Dietrich

July 4, 2024 – Tacoma

This year I was going to play it smart. Arrive early, park at the Owens beach, and take the shuttle to the start. Last year, after race, the lines were too long and the wait seemed forever. They only had two buses and it seemed most of the large field had left their cars at the start area.

Arriving early, both shuttle buses were still waiting at Owens Beach to fill for their first trip. I didn’t have to wait. Luck was on my side as I got the last seat on the first bus and departed immediately.

Arriving at the start there was a sizable group at the start area and the parking lot at the park was about three quarters full. it looked like there would be a long wait after the race for these car owners.

I found a block wall near the start line and sat down to begin my wait for the start. The time passed swiftly as I left my perch periodically to greet arriving friends.

Soon the race started and I fell into the rear of the pack with the other walkers.

This course begins on a flat section for about one tenth of a mile. Then a gentle downhill for a couple of blocks becoming flat again. Then a sudden downhill, not too steep but plenty fast. It turns into a gradual downhill and then a fast curving downhill leads to Point Defiance Park. It was on this downhill that I encountered stomach cramps and had to stop half way down and take a 30 second break on a sidewalk bench.

After the brief break my cramps were gone, but I decided to take it easy, fearful that the cramping might  return. The course entered the park and was different from the original that ended at Pt. Ruston. Not as much downhill and a flat half mile plus to the finish. My time was 10 minutes slower than last year when I did a little jogging on the two downhills before entering the park. I didn’t mind my slow time as I was thankful to finish without the cramps returning. 

I went to the timing tent and found myself finishing 20th in my age group, Men 55-59. I didn’t care. They will straighten it out or they won’t. I certainly didn’t need another ribbon, so I headed for my car. The line of people waiting for the shuttle bus was a block long. While I was congratulating myself on my foresight, I encountered Diane Johnson, Louise Mihay and Kent Sizer waiting in the line. I offered them a ride back to their cars at the start. They readily accepted.

After dropping them off I hurried to Ben Dew’s restaurant on 6th Avenue for our post race get together. I had a strawberry waffle and left for home. I was too tired to visit with my friends.

Arriving at home in Gig Harbor I hit the sack. I had another race in the books after 47 years of racing. 

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Notes: Congratulations to Diane Johnson and Diane Martin. They both completed their 8th Series race to become the 9th and 10th Series finishers for 2024. We have 15 races left in the Series. Plenty of time left to get in 8 races and share the awards at our annual party to be held at the Old Spaghetti Factory in Tacoma on January 18th.

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Here are the results in Photos by Bruce Fisher

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4 On The 4th

Here are the results from the 4 on the 4th race held in Steilacoom.

The first male Silver Strider to finish was Paul Smith, age 60. Paul posted a National Class time of 23:41 for an age grading of 87.1%. First female Silver Strider was Wendy O’Hare, age 53. Wendy’s time 29:01.

WOMEN

Female 50 – 54

Female 55 – 59

Female 60 – 64

Female 65 – 69

Female 70 – 74

Female 75 – 79

Female 80 – 84