The starting corral prior to the race start at the final 2016-2017 PRC Winter Series 5k. Photo by Charissa Yang.
The final 5k in the PRC Winter Race Series was run on Saturday, February 18, and to participants’ delight there was no ice, no snow, and no freezing temps for this run! Despite using the Fanno Creek Trail for part of the course, there was also surprisingly little water on the course, too – just one section where you had to high-step through a couple of inches.
This race was the Prediction Race, where it wasn’t how quickly you finished that determined your final place, it was how closely you came to your predicted time. Run Oregon blogger Abby Meek was unfortunately sick today, but the rest of the bloggers that ran (Joe Dudman, Geli Heidelberger, and me) all missed our predicted times. Joe was the closest and won his age group; most of the overall winners and many age-group winners were within a second or two of their predicted time!
Regular race results were kept as well, for participants to see their finish time, but were not used in determining awards. The regular race results and prediction race results will be linked from the race website here.
After the run, Stanford’s was on-site with a hearty breakfast of some BBQ, corn on the cob, coleslaw, and some yummy sweet biscuits. Dave’s Killer Bread samples were plentiful as well, and some lucky participants (like me!) got to take home a loaf. Dave Harkin once again announced awards and proved that he could do stand-up – he’s fast AND funny! The overall winners took home a hand-made scarf from participant Valerie Ireland; raffle prizes included Portland Running Company gear, Club Pilates passes, and Balega socks.
I’m a little sad that the PRC Winter 5k Race Series is over for 2017, but there are a number of Run With Paula events coming up. Their next race is the Memorial Day Half Marathon, 10k, and 5k on Saturday, May 27 at Willamette Mission State Park in Gervais.
I also hope to see the Series return in 2018; I love the course, the people that put it on, and the post-race breakfasts. We’ll keep you posted about any info we get for next year!
Run Oregon’s Kelly Barten and Paula Harkin of Run With Paula fame, prior to the race. Paula is always like a burst of sunshine on race day, no matter what the weather brings. Photo by Charissa Yang.
