ST. THERESE FESTIVAL KICKS OFF WITH A RUNNING START

Runners will lead the St. Therese Fall Festival this year with a 5K Run/Walk. And for many individuals like myself, five kilometers (5,000 meters, or 3.1 miles) will be their inaugural race. Unlike marathons, I am told 5K’s are fun to run and easy to race. And for those who don’t intend to run, you can walk. The event will begin at 9:30am.

Organizers have divided the race into five-year age groups beginning with 10 and under. There is a $15 entry fee, with registration from 7:30am-9:00am at the church on race day, Saturday, September 12. Included in the entry fee is a race t-shirt and game/food tickets to get started on the festival fun after the race.

“Be prepared for any kind of weather though. Cold when you begin the race-or while standing on the line before the race begins-may turn to hot as you run,” admits veteran runner and Race Director Jon Beasley.

This race is professionally “chip-timed” by the Fort Wayne Track Club. Chip timing is a technique used for measuring performance in a race by attaching a tag to the runner’s shoe that corresponds to the runners bib number. The chip provides pinpoint accuracy for timing and easier tabulation of results. Race officials also went “the extra mile” by applying for USATF certification to ensure its accuracy.

Click to advertise on this website

Race participants will enjoy an aid station on the course as well as fruit and refreshments for post-race recovery. Three Rivers Running Company will be awarding a gift certificate to the top 3 male and female, and top 3 overall finishers. Once all participants have finished, door prizes will be awarded while the results are tabulated.

“We’re preparing for at least 125 people,” reported Beasley. Anyone is welcome to participate. Interested runners/walkers may contact Jon Beasley at boilerbeas@yahoo.com or 260-413-3822 or register the day of the race.

As I lace up my running shoes for my “practice” run, I notice not only a few miles of pavement, but also many precious sights and sounds. The course, with the start and finish behind St. Therese Catholic Church on Waynewood Drive, loops through adjacent neighborhoods, like Lakewood Park and Lake Shores West just 1 block east of Bluffton Road. With very little traffic, the terrain is mostly flat. Children. Balloons. Sounds from a game of horseshoes and beautifully landscaped yards are just a few of the many pleasant amenities I experienced running over the Waynedale course.

Who says you have to run to finish a 5K? Walkers are welcome. Sometimes walkers start well ahead of the runners, sometimes they start after the runners. At the St. Therese 5K the walkers will start with the runners according to race director Beasley.

“Obviously the whole goal is to raise money for St. Therese Catholic Church. You don’t need to try to win,” advises Beasley. “Running a fast time is less important than having a good time.”

So, lace up your shoes, run, smile as you cross the finish line, then stick around after for the St. Therese Fall Festival. Most importantly, enjoy the day!