Hot Buttered Run
Date and time: Sunday, November 30, 2014
Events and price:
12k $50 (if under 18 years old, $18)
5k $45 (if under 18 years old, $18)
Kids Kandy Kane Dash $8-12
Online registration closes 11/24/14 at 6:00pm!
Location: Esther Short Park; Downtown Vancouver, WA
Beneficiary: Race to Remember and The Boys and Girls Club in Vancouver. Additionally, Energy Events will match every nonperishable food item you bring on race day and donate it to the Clark Country Food Bank.
Swag: Long Sleeve T-shirt, Hot Buttered Rum, Hot Chocolate, goody bag
Course: Both the 12k and 5k are fairly flat.
Events and price:
12k $50 (if under 18 years old, $18)
5k $45 (if under 18 years old, $18)
Kids Kandy Kane Dash $8-12
Online registration closes 11/24/14 at 6:00pm!
Location: Esther Short Park; Downtown Vancouver, WA
Beneficiary: Race to Remember and The Boys and Girls Club in Vancouver. Additionally, Energy Events will match every nonperishable food item you bring on race day and donate it to the Clark Country Food Bank.
Swag: Long Sleeve T-shirt, Hot Buttered Rum, Hot Chocolate, goody bag
Course: Both the 12k and 5k are fairly flat.
BRRRRR!!! The morning of Hot Buttered Run was cold! The temperature was below freezing (only about 28 degrees) as runners and walkers gathered together in downtown Vancouver, at the beautiful Esther Short Park. I went back and forth on what to wear--I love fun holiday costumes, but also wanted to stay warm. And I had worn my handmade blue/white "snow princess" costume last night at the Winter Wonderland of Lights run/walk (inspired by Elsa from Frozen)--I couldn't wear the same thing TWO DAYS IN A ROW!! So I decided on being a pink snow princess/elf/something! And conveniently, my warm snowboarding jacket was the same shade of pink. We arrived pretty early so Ardara and the kids could pick up their packets and get a good parking spot (we snagged a spot just half a block away from the park), then headed to Starbucks to grab coffees and stay warm until closer to the start time. I dropped my jacket off at bag check about ten minutes before the start and made it to the chute with plenty of time to spare.
The start/finish area was fun. There were lots of photo ops, and fun holiday music going. I was kind of nervous about the race. I haven't been training and my pace has sucked--it's been really discouraging to think about my fitness level earlier this year, and how much worse it is now. I have a long way to go to where I want to be, but I tried to focus on doing my best at HBR, and at least going out there and putting some miles under my belt... slow miles are better than no miles! I tried to focus on having fun and just enjoying the run.
The course started with a gradual uphill from Esther Short Park, then out on Evergreen towards Officer's Row, then a gradual downhill to 5th St, where there was an out and back, before heading south towards Fort Vancouver, over the land bridge, then out along the waterfront, in front of the war mural, then heading northwest through the railroad and industrial area, before turning around at 26th, heading onto the bridge over the traintracks, then back toward downtown Vancouver, and circling back around before heading into the finish chute. I was feeling tired and it wasn't easy running in my cape (it kept bunching up, and it felt like it was strangling me at times--I'll definitely half to tweak it a little if I'm going to run a half marathon in it!!!) Although prior to the race, the announcer said the 12k course was a smidge short, my Garmin had 7.45mi exactly, which was great! I checked the results just for kicks... and saw that I was third in my age group! I didn't feel like I had run particularly well, but I was still excited that I had earned some BLING!
After the race, there was beef jerky, PB & bread, trail mix, rice cakes, Gatorade, and of course... HOT BUTTERED RUMS! MMMMM the homemade mix makes it so tasty. There was a little bit of a wait for drinks at first, but we just hung out in line and chatted while we waited. It was so much fun seeing all of my friends after the race, hear how the race went for each of them, and toast one another's accomplishments! I love the running community. It's such a supportive group, and I love how many friends came out for this event. It's definitely an amazing holiday event with a great turnout. I felt bad that I didn't get to say hi to everyone I knew!
We stuck around for age group awards, since a lot of us had placed, including me (it's not over til it's over and I'm holding that medal!). Robin from Run Oregon won best costume (totally deserved it! So very cute) but the rest of us who participated still received boxes of KIND Bars. Right after the contest, we had to take off since Ardara was working and I had made plans with my family.
I was bummed I didn't see Gingy at the race today! But hopefully next year... ;) The long sleeved cot
ton shirts were navy with a red and white simple design, and the goodie bags had plenty of snacks in them.
I love this event. It has a wonderful holiday ENERGY to it :) It's a great size, great start/finish, lots of wonderful volunteers, and nice goodies. Definitely one to put on your list of winter races!
What holiday runs have you done?
The start/finish area was fun. There were lots of photo ops, and fun holiday music going. I was kind of nervous about the race. I haven't been training and my pace has sucked--it's been really discouraging to think about my fitness level earlier this year, and how much worse it is now. I have a long way to go to where I want to be, but I tried to focus on doing my best at HBR, and at least going out there and putting some miles under my belt... slow miles are better than no miles! I tried to focus on having fun and just enjoying the run.
The course started with a gradual uphill from Esther Short Park, then out on Evergreen towards Officer's Row, then a gradual downhill to 5th St, where there was an out and back, before heading south towards Fort Vancouver, over the land bridge, then out along the waterfront, in front of the war mural, then heading northwest through the railroad and industrial area, before turning around at 26th, heading onto the bridge over the traintracks, then back toward downtown Vancouver, and circling back around before heading into the finish chute. I was feeling tired and it wasn't easy running in my cape (it kept bunching up, and it felt like it was strangling me at times--I'll definitely half to tweak it a little if I'm going to run a half marathon in it!!!) Although prior to the race, the announcer said the 12k course was a smidge short, my Garmin had 7.45mi exactly, which was great! I checked the results just for kicks... and saw that I was third in my age group! I didn't feel like I had run particularly well, but I was still excited that I had earned some BLING!
After the race, there was beef jerky, PB & bread, trail mix, rice cakes, Gatorade, and of course... HOT BUTTERED RUMS! MMMMM the homemade mix makes it so tasty. There was a little bit of a wait for drinks at first, but we just hung out in line and chatted while we waited. It was so much fun seeing all of my friends after the race, hear how the race went for each of them, and toast one another's accomplishments! I love the running community. It's such a supportive group, and I love how many friends came out for this event. It's definitely an amazing holiday event with a great turnout. I felt bad that I didn't get to say hi to everyone I knew!
We stuck around for age group awards, since a lot of us had placed, including me (it's not over til it's over and I'm holding that medal!). Robin from Run Oregon won best costume (totally deserved it! So very cute) but the rest of us who participated still received boxes of KIND Bars. Right after the contest, we had to take off since Ardara was working and I had made plans with my family.
I was bummed I didn't see Gingy at the race today! But hopefully next year... ;) The long sleeved cot
ton shirts were navy with a red and white simple design, and the goodie bags had plenty of snacks in them.
I love this event. It has a wonderful holiday ENERGY to it :) It's a great size, great start/finish, lots of wonderful volunteers, and nice goodies. Definitely one to put on your list of winter races!
What holiday runs have you done?