Do you remember running after the ice cream truck when you where a kid? Ice cream is always a strong motivator…especially having one waiting for me at the end of the race. That is the first thing I think of when picture the Lindsay Milk Run. The truth is it is not all about the ice cream, because there is so much going for this race that the ice cream is, well, the cherry on the top.
The Milk Run has both 5 km and 10 km distances. The 10 km race started 20 minutes earlier than the 5 km, but both fields combined for the last 2 km of the race. It was kind of neat coming to the last few kilometers of the 10 km run, and seeing all the 5 km runners meeting up with us. It made for a strong feeling of community. I train primarily on my own, so I always relish a chance to run with others. The Milk Run finish gave me a great sense of that.
The course is a little undulating, with a few risers, but nothing that could be categorized as a “climb”. The race weaved it’s was thought some residential areas after starting out with a long straight away through the town of Lindsay. The 10 km race also made its way onto a paved rail trail. There where ample course markers along the route, as well as many volunteers, especially in the area where more guidance was needed. The water stations where well placed, with very eager volunteers, ready to hand water. The one part of the milk run which cannot be over looked is the local residents. Many came out to watch and cheer on the runners. Some had bottled water, while others set up sprinklers to help cool off the runners. I am sure that if the weather on race day was a few degrees hotter, many athletes would have had a hard time leaving them.
The one thing that must be mentioned beyond the race course, volunteers, or even weather, is the running field itself. I ran one of my best 10 km runs ever, and still only placed 9th in my age category. The men ahead of me, bested my time by atleast 5 minutes. Can you say FAST! Now, I don’t mention this as an excuse for my performance. I ran a race I was happy with, I did my best, and felt I left it all out there. I mention the field because I believe the secret is out. The Lindsay Milk Run is fun and well organized race. Because of this, it seems to have attracted a lot of runners, and running clubs. Walking around prior to the race, I was not only proud of being a member of team running free, but that running free had partnered with such an amazing event.
Each racer got a t-shirt. The non technical ones went early, as well as my preferred size. So make sure you get to the race early to get the shirt that you like. Registration was simple, and was located in the Lindsay recreational complex arena. The facilities where also fantastic, as they had many washrooms (though there always seems to be a line up for the womens room…sorry Ladies, I always feel bad walking by your line), and a change room to get ready in, or to shower in afterwards. I am not sure about you, but having a post race shower alone is worth the drive to Lindsay.
Speaking of getting there. Lindsay seems so far for most people. “Why are you running there?” was some of the comments that I got. The reality is, it is closer than you think. Besides, it is a beautiful country drive on a Sunday morning, what can be better than that?
There are a lot things that motivate us to run; to stay in shape, to beat our PR. Those area all good, but I think there is one thing that can trump it all…ice cream. Best of all, even if you are lactose intolerant, you can still have an awesome time.
