William M. Maguy 1st Annual Scholarship 5k run/2k walk

Perfect morning for a run.  I have been trying to sign up for as many of the local events as I can, just to get out and meet new people and support local causes.  I had mixed feelings when I saw the location of Cutler Park.  Had only been out there once and remembered not feeling 100% about the experience. 

First off, want to say great job for a 1st year event.  While it looked like most of the people were employees of Proteus (who was the main sponsor and who was in charge of the scholarship the money was going to fun), it was still nice to see so many people outside moving.

In front of some of the "Lincoln Log" type playground at the park.  A great place for a family to spend a few hours outside. 

With one of the local sponsor signs along the course.  They made signs for all of the local businesses who had donated to make the event possible.  I picked this one since I worked there for a few months after high school (and my brother worked there as well).

While I didn't see a mile 3 orange runner dude, this little guy showed us the way for miles one and two.

Race shirt and number.  Was surprised they had technical shirts for this event. 

Since they didn't have medals or ribbons at the finish line of this event, I decided to reward my feet with a pair of new Gizmo socks as my "bling" for the race.  Actually gave them to myself before the event since the shirt I was wearing matched them.  Funny how the event shirt was the same color.

There was plenty of water, bananas, and oranges at the finish line as well as a crowd to cheer everyone in.  Maybe it was because it was mostly a group of co-workers out there, but it was still great to be almost the last runner and still have a crowd to cheer me in (where there was only about 50 people). 

They only negative was not one the RD could have helped.  Running loops around the park takes you off road into the grass and sand areas of Cutler Park.  While I am all for an off road trail run, I do really like ones that I have to constantly be watching for holes.  The gophers were plentiful at Cutler Park, that much is certain.  You could tell maintenance had been working hard to keep up with the problem by all of the fresh areas of dirt.  With all of the possible out and back options available out there, my only suggestion for improvement is to try that next time.  I was told by a couple of other runners that they had been to events at Cutler Park that had done just that. 

I managed to hit one of the gopher holes with my left foot just before mile 1.  This poor leg/foot still has not healed completely from my marathon March 16th.  While my calf had been feeling better and the multiple blisters had began to heal, hitting this hole just did a number on me.  By the end, my right leg was feeling the majority of the pain due to trying to over compensate for the discomfort of the left.  While it was nothing major, it will still be a concern in future events at Cutler Park.  Gopher holes are not good for runners, at least not this one. 

Look forward to trying it again next year!  Great job Proteus!!  Hope we were able to help your scholarship fund!