Last Saturday, I ran the Greenway Challenge 10k in Black Mountain, NC. It’s about a 30 minute drive from my house, and I had convinced Bari (and her husband) that it would be fun, since they would be staying at our house over the weekend. The race starts and ends at Pisgah Brewing. My brother and husband ran the 10k several years ago and I don’t recall them having complaints.
(It’s been snowing for years in Michigan. I think it was in the low 50s at the start? See the difference in the way we dress for races? To my defense, I did take the jacket off before I ran. And my shirt is short-sleeves.)
My only complaint was the lack of a shirt with registration (I paid $30 and I don’t drink beer.) I did, however, receive a pint glass, which my husband will enjoy – and I can use for soda. We arrived around 1, picked up our bib numbers and then had about 55 minutes to spare before the race. This allowed us to use the restrooms and wander around/stretch/etc. We had a good time wandering around.
Race started at 2 and we were told that around the 1 mile point, the 5k runners would keep to the left and the 10k would go to the right.
Bari and I stuck together for about the first two miles, at which point it was a downhill and I suddenly had the urge to pick people to pass. We separated shortly after the two mile mark. It was also at this point, that I saw who would be the winners of the race. They had already passed the lake and the turnaround point.
It was a pretty course. The weather couldn’t have been better. The hills were still challenging.
Around the five mile point, I saw some people ahead (who had gone straight) and knew they were my next targets to pass. And then I was told by a race official to turn. Apparently, there was a police officer at this turn, but he wasn’t telling people to turn, he was just making sure that cars weren’t in the way.
So I turned and I had nobody to try and catch, and few people behind me. It was a LOT confusing at this point, and really aggravating.
Just before the finish, you have to cross another major road, and I had to wait on cars before I could finish my last tenth of a mile. I remember the ladies apologizing about the cars – and seeing runners coming from the opposite direction. The ladies also had to ask me if I was running the 5k or 10k. It was really discouraging.
All in all, it was a fun race. I believe that about 75% of the 10k runners ran the wrong finish. There was a lot of talk about it. I think it was just a fluke this year, because I know my brother and husband ran the correct course years ago (I remember – and have photos – from the direction they came into the finish line.)
Pisgah Brewing had food trucks selling food. Mike grabbed something with alligator, and I’m fairly certain they had to wrestle the gator because it took that long to get the food. We had few complaints (the wait on the food, and the poor course directions), but it was a fun race and Bari and Mike were able to try several new-to-them beers.
Have you ever run a race where people were misdirected on the course? (This has not occurred to often for me.)
In case you’ve missed it, I have an update on my #BlogForward challenge and a giveaway that ends Wednesday!
I’m not a big runner, but the foodie in me perked up when you said your husband ate alligator. I’ve always wanted to try that. Was it good?
That race was so hard for me. The hills really kicked my ass!
The alligator sausage tasted like a bratwurst. It was really good, just took forever to get.
This is such a beautiful and scenic path to race on! I would have loved to run this race myself because I love nature.
Seem like you had fun. How I wish I loved running! And beautiful shots!
The 50’s is perfect running weather! That’s awesome – not cold and not too hot either. I am still working up the courage to sign up for my first 5K!!
I would probably be cold if I ran when it was only 50 degrees. I am a warm weather kind of girl… but, it looks like you had a great time. What a pretty place to run.
I am not a runner and am so impressed by people who can do this. It looks like you did have a beautiful course to run. I bet that makes it a lot easier when there is nice scenery.
It is so inspiring to hear stories about people running races like this! I wish I was in better shape, I hope to be able to run someday!
I’m not a runner and envy those who are….well, not really! I’m glad you had fun and I love your photos, especially that white tree. Was that a dogwood tree? I’ll just keep to walking and move out of the way for you runners!!
I wouldn’t have been happy with a glass mug either. A shirt you can wear in the race, did they expect you to carry the mug?
I’m definitely not a runner but I walk a 5k about 3x a week. I love it when I can do it outside instead of at the Y~
I am not sure I could eat alligator….or participate in a race. Kudos to you both!
I’ve never run in a race, but I can imagine how aggravating that would be! That would bug me about the cars too when you’re in a race!
Running is a dream for me right now, I am trying to lose weight so I can jog, I will run b4 I am 26 yrs old!
I’m training for my first run right now. I can’t wait to get my own awesome photos like this. It pumps me up just reading about it 🙂
Congrats – it had to be nice to run with green grass! This year has been crazy cold! I live in Wisconsin and I know Michigan has also had a hard winter
I’m sorry to hear the directions weren’t clear. I can imagine how aggravating that would be. :/
I am glad the course was pretty!
That’s so cool that you took pictures along the way. That’s a great idea and way to remember the day.
Congtratulations for achieving your goal! Sounds like you had fun doing it!
What a cool looking run! My husband would be all over the beer as well lol!
Congrats on finishing your race! I’ve never ran a race, but I’m considering starting to train for a Disney marathon. I think it would be a good motivator for me if I knew that Disney was at the end.
That sounds crazy to me that it was disorganized. At least it was a nice day!
what a beautiful route! eeek, that is seriously one of my worst nightmares-to somehow get off track & either run further than necessary or to finish strong only to realize i missed a loop or something.. YIKES. bummer on the lack of shirt, definitely should have been something much better than a mug instead :/
I finally got my garmin to talk to our new computer and holy hills batman! I’ll include the screen shots when I get around to writing my race report.
Thanks for suggesting this race for our visit. It was a really beautiful place to run.
how is it I haven’t commented on this? you know I’m totally jealous and hope to be able to come up and race with you again sometime!