Run Through The Roses 10K

        Today the “Run Through The Roses” 10K was run in Madison Alabama. Over 500 runners registered to run. On the morning of the run, participants were sporting everything from Nike’s to Asics to Brooks to Reebok’s to Saucony’s running shoes and everything in between.  Every array of athletic wear was worn on the backs of the elite to the weekend warrior to the first timers. The weather was tempestuous at best, with tornado weather moving towards us from the west. However, spirits were high and the nervous excitement was contagious to all those around.

        The race was presented by Eagle Rehab Services and sponsored in part by Fleet Feet Sports and Dominoes Pizza, among others. Proceeds of this year's Race and Celebration will go towards a Children’s Living Library to be built at the City of Madison, AL Public Library. This garden will be located in the front of the Madison Public Library. It will feature areas such as a life-size Scrabble game with benches that look like the tile-holders, a vegetable garden, butterfly habitat, mini-amphitheatre, and will include lesson plans that incorporate children's literature as well as environmental lessons. The wonderful thing about the Children’s Living Library is that admission is free, and it will be available to each and every child. Knowing that our race fees go to such worthy projects only adds to the satisfaction that our money is well spent.

The course itself, all 6.2 miles, went through the streets in Madison, starting at Bob Jones High School and would wind around making a huge loop through closed streets, ending up back at the school. Not the easiest of courses, with the last mile and a half featuring a hill from “Hades” that seemed to stretch into the clouds before it descended rapidly into the direction of the finish line. This was the defining stretch for many, often bringing the unaware to a complete standstill as they awed at the feat ahead. It is in this stretch that would test the mettle of the determined and rob you of precious time on the clock. At least it seemed this way for most, with a notable exception of Josh Whitehead who finished in 33 minutes and some seconds. Very impressive finish indeed. The last runner sprinted to the finish with 45 seconds left until the two hour cutoff point. It proved to be a very well organized event with excellent traffic control as well. 

This was the City of Madison’s first annual Run Through the Roses 10K Celebration.  It is a USATF sanctioned event.  The route highlighted Madison's signature plant, the Radrazz Knockout Rose.  A good place to try and improve your personal best, but not an easy one to achieve this on. 

        The usual gang of participants were there. Some surprised themselves at how well they did, and others felt they should have done better. Pretty much the norm for these events. I believe in our hearts we all dream that we run like a Kenyan.

The evening following the race will is slated to continue the celebration also. There will be live music and an auction Kentucky Derby style. The ladies need to find those derby hats.

All in all, this is an event that I believe will only grow in popularity and will have continued success! Kudos to all… As usual, this is the most supportive, optimistic and positive group of people that I have ever had the pleasure to meet!