Stonington Cross Country 5K

Stonington, CT
Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Started working together with Tommy 5K and the Stonington Recreation Department back in February on this event.  Stonington Rec was looking to work with WTAC to put on a running event, and they were absolutely great to work with.  After looking across respective schedules, it was decided upon to hold in late August as the closing event of the very popular Tom McCoy Summer Fun Run Series.  Tom and I went out on the trails a number of times to plan out a route, and then in late summer to review and help clear as needed.

I really didn't know what to expect in terms of numbers, and gave estimate to the Stonington Rec Director (Rich) of fifty.  Between the kids' 1/2 mile run and 5K run, we ended up with 150!  At my request, SNERRO graciously donated their services to time, and I think the counts overwhelmed them as well, as they ran out of index cards and it was tough to keep up with the finishers.

FiveK, Muddy, and I arrived early
to setup and mark the course,
including new WTAC signage.

The race:  As I'm quite late in writing this, I'll rely mostly on a pictorial write-up:

The event kicked off with a 1/2 mile on the track for
children aged 10 & under.  36 participants.

The inaugural Stonington XC 5K is underway,
with a start and finish on the track.

1/2 mile in, on one of the few asphalt sections on the course.
Why are they letting me lead?

Mercifully, about a mile in, Chris passed me and others followed suit.  First mile was 5:55, which despite just one day after racing the Battle of Stonington, felt easy and one in which I engaged in conversation with my WTAC teammates. 

In the 2nd mile in the woods, with Tom and Matthew behind me.
(Pic by Schane Tallardy)

Single-track "hill" section:
A slight bump in the course that was fun.

Bridge crossing in 3rd mile.
(Pic by Rich Ward)

Track finish with the sun in my eyes.

2nd mile in the woods was naturally slower in 6:53, and closing mile was 6:17.

Final results:  19:19, 6th out of 112.  Full results here.

Awards given out to 18 youth
aged 16&under who completed five or more 5Ks
during the summer series.

Some old guy was talking at the awards ceremony
and putting the masses to sleep. 
Young Tommy McCoy to his left cheerfully participating in the
closing of the 42nd annual fun run series which bears his name.

What may be the funniest picture of the event:
The WTAC street gang pose, looking tough and mean.
(Chris appears to be the only one that didn't get the memo
about wearing club colors, but I wouldn't want to argue with this tough looking gang.)
 

In Tommy 5K style, pluses and minuses on the event overall:

Plus:

• Turnout far exceeded expectations.
• Runners reported enjoying something different with a mix of track, trails, and grass fields.
• WTAC volunteers stepped up to make for a well run event.
• Co-host (Stonington Recreation) actively participated and promoted event to make it successful.

Minus:

• Congestion on short 2-way section of trails became congested for mid-packers.  NOTE:  We're looking into addressing for next year.
• Too many people filled out paper waiver instead of recommended free pre-registration, resulting in working until Midnight to compile and submit full results.  NOTE:  We'll be instituting a modest fee for post-registrants only next year as an added incentive to sign up online.