18:26 5:56 average pace. This was a very very fast course, I PR'd by a little more than two minutes. I'm sure most of this is from the course, although I'd like to think that I'm a little faster and stronger since last January. This was an inaugural race. The field was pretty small, about one hundred. Being a first time race, I was expecting some disorganization. My expectations were exceeded. The packet pick up was borderline disaster. Had I been one of the many who were a victim of the packet mess up, I would called it a total disaster. I lucked out. We were bused to the starting line, which was kind of fun for a 5k, but we sat there for a half hour waiting for the timing mat delivery guy to show up. The 5k course was not marked, which really surprised me, or I missed them, which is entirely possible, but then again, a runner should never have to hunt for a mile marker. I enjoyed the course. I knew it was going to be a downhill screamer because the course is part of my regular training runs. I have to admit, I was very surprised with my overall time. I was hoping to finish in the high 19's, which would have been at least a 30 second pr. I guess I underestimated the power of a down hill course. The top three overall winners received a glass vase with the race insignia engraved on the front. This was a very nice award and I am extremely excited to have one. I will most likely run this race in the future. I give the race director a lot of slack with this being a first time race. | 