Race Recap: 2017 Canby Young Life 5k/10k

After participating in several very big races this spring, I was really looking forward to the Canby 5k, a small town, small group race on a new-to-me route. With 140 participants in the 5k and just 36 in the 10k, the race promised to be less crowded and much fun.

Canby is just 15 minutes from my home, and with a 10am start time, we didn’t even have to get up early! I had signed up my cross-country running teen to run with me, so I had a companion at the pre-race mingling. I always aim to arrive at the race about one hour before the start, which in this case was plenty, bordering at excessive. But it resulted in me getting a parking spot right next to the Wait Park, where the pre/post-race events were set up.

Packet pickup was quick and easy, we browsed the vendors and chatted with a friend. I studied the course map on the printed postcards available at registration as well as on posters around the park. After storing the swag bag and nice new t-shirts in the car, we enjoyed some cotton candy and hang out on the playground. There was a photo booth, but we opted out of pictures there since my son was wearing a green shirt, which would have resulted in a floating head on the green screen. Part of the park were flushing toilet facilities, which is always a bonus at a race.

Race announcers directed us to the start line on the north side of the park, and after some instructions about course markers, the air horn sounded and we were off. The first half mile of the course had police cadets working traffic control, but soon we turned onto less busy neighborhood streets where we had to look out for the occasional car. The course was very well marked, both with spray painted arrows on the pavement and with volunteers holding directional signs. At just over 1 mile into the race, the 10k split off from the 5k that I was running. Heading west on NE Territorial Rd, we stayed in the bike lane and on the sidewalk, and it wasn’t an issue that the course wasn’t closed to traffic. At several intersections there were volunteers looking out for runners’ safety, and at a bigger intersection a policeman was directing traffic for us.

Around the half way point, I was wishing for a water station, but I didn’t remember if there was going to be one on the 5k. There ended up being no water station, which thankfully usually is not a problem for me on a 5k. I passed the 2 mile marker, and turned south, feeling good and confident for the remainder of the race. A few more turns later I saw the elementary school a block away from the finish, and I crossed the line with a strong finish, out of breath and happy with my result, even though I was a few seconds above my goal time.

I got myself a cup of water, and the printed results receipt from the Eclectic Edge timing tent. Also included in the race was a post-race barbecue, and we enjoyed our burger and hotdog with a bag of chips and a bottle of water. Soon after, we were ready to get to the next appointments of the day, and we headed out, happy to have run a good race that supports local youth organizations. (All profits of the race are donated to YoungLife/Wyldlife and the Canby High School cross country running team.)

Awards were given to the top three finishers male and female in the youth, open, and masters divisions for the 5k and the 10k. Complete results can be found here, and race photos are posted on the event’s Facebook Page.