Des Moines ParkRun #334

online presents

The Des Moines ParkRun #334

By Jerry Dietrich
with photos by Bruce Fisher

1/16/26 – Des Moines
It was a very cold morning, but the sun was shining so I decided to go to Des Moines and do the ParkRun 5k. I arrived at the ParkRun to find an unexpected nice turnout. The air temperature was cold but the sun felt good.

The race started a few minutes after 9:00 and I actually passed a couple whose dog forced an early pit stop. After about 1/10th of a mile we entered the wooded area. Soon after that we began the climb on the out and back uphill course. It was bitter cold in the shade and after about a quarter mile I was forced to stop and abort my effort. My throat and lungs felt raw as I made my way back to the sunshine of the park.

The minute I entered the sunshine I began to feel warmer. I decided to join Bruce about 50 yards from the finish as he waited for the first runners to arrive. We discussed a couple items of business and the first runner came flying toward us.

The first Silver Strider to finish was Bruce’s son, Chris. He was 2nd overall. His time was a fast 20:50. The first female Silver Strider was Julia Reynolds in 25:08. Julia was the 4th female overall.

As the runners finished they gathered in the welcome sunshine. As it warmed them they began visiting and discussing the effort they made on this cold day.

Afterward, some of us adjourned to our usual spot, the Tuscany Restaurant, for our camaraderie brunch. To our surprise the restaurant had changed hands and been renamed since our last visit.

We enjoyed some food and conversation ending an interesting day.

Jerry’s note: Several Silver Striders weren’t wearing their shirts or hats. “We didn’t know the Ambassador program was continuing in 2026”. I don’t know how to get runners to check the Bulletins. You should check bulletins once a week. I suggest Thursday. My final concession is this – “Qualifying for an Ambassadorship will commence on March 7th at the Resolution Run”.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Results in photos by Bruce Fisher