This is the 5th year participating in the Midsummer Night’s Run (once at 15 K and 4th at 30 K). Of all the races, this year’s had the nicest weather – no humidity! The run was scenic and enjoyable. Overall, an organized race this year!
Left the house at 4:45 PM and made the trek to the race. Parked at the plaza which neighbours the race. Got in ½ K slow warm-up – was all the time I had before the race began. There were 699 participants in the 30 K. This year, there was a new 5 K race in addition to the 15 K walk and 15 K run. Since there were no gels on the course, I went to the local Running Room and bought 2 gels earlier in the day.
There are no pace bunnies – rather pace fairies. I situated at the start-line with the 3:00 pace fairy. The route goes west on Commissioner’s Road, with a detour slightly north, then south on Cherry Street, through Clarke Beach Park, turnaround proceeding west on Urwin Avenue, then north to Commissioner’s Road, east until Leslie Street, south into Tommy Thompson Park, then into Ashbridge’s Bay Park, and to the finish line. The route was scenic – especially in Clarke Beach Park, Tommy Thompson Park (12 K to 21 K), and Ashbridge’s Bay Park. Could see Lake Ontario!
For the first 10 K, I ran conservatively and stayed at 6 min/K. Then I ran at race pace and kept under 5:30 min/K. That took its toll in the final 10 K and had to take a few walk breaks when needed. For the marathon, I’ll run at a conservative pace and then race to finish – rather than “burn out” in the middle of the race. Took the 2 gels at 20 K and 27 K – I always wonder if the gels really work – but at least I haven’t “hit the wall” – so they must work!
Lots of high school students served as volunteers and they were enthusiastic and worked hard for their community service hours. The fluid stations were located so each are accessed twice (3 K and 6 K; 9 K; 12 K and 21 K; 15 K and 17 K; 23 K and 28 K).
It’s a good thing it hasn’t rained as the running surfaces could get muddy. Near the lighthouse in Tommy Thompson Park was rocky and gravel; same momentarily in Ashbridge’s Bay Park. Also ran on wooden chips and wooden board walk.
It only got dark with the last 3 K. I always wonder if it would be more exciting to start at 6:30 PM and then would definitely run in the dark for an hour – but that could not be safe.
Overall, found the race well organized. A surprise the location of the 26 K marker as throughout the first 25 K, my Garmin stated I was 120 m to 180 m short of the kilometre marker. Garmin said I ended running close to 500 m more – that’s normal so I think this year’s route was accurate in distance. The only other surprise was one of the fluid station only had water and the other side had Gatorade – almost got hit by a runner.
Time = 3:07:50
Chip = 3:07:25.6 (slowest of last 4 years’ runs)
Pace = 9.6 K/hour
Age category = 106 out of 130
Gender = 268 out of 338
21.1 K = 2:04:55
Nice finisher’s medal this year (in addition to the nice tech shirt):
YTD = 966 K
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