With its slogan “Always a good day for a run” and the beautiful location at McMenamin’s Edgefield golf course, this was my fourth time participating in the Worst Day of the Year run. Once again, the weather was much nicer than it could have been! In a week of cold rain, the morning of February 2nd was a bright sunny spot. With race waves starting at 9am, 10am, and 11am, I had chosen the middle one and arrived at Edgefield just shortly after the first wave had started its race. There was still plenty of parking in the dirt lot with friendly volunteers helping racers find their parking spots.
I picked up my race bib and event beanie hat, browsed the vendor tables, and soon joined the 10am starters in the starting corral. Chip timing was an optional add-on during registration, which I hadn’t added since I knew it would a tough course for which I am currently not in the best shape. We were asked to self-assign front/middle/back of the pack for the start with hints such as “you may want to be in the back of the pack if you’re wearing an inflatable costume” or “if you haven’t run since Hood to Coast.” Promptly at 10am, the starting horn sounded, and the first wave of our wave was off. The course runs entirely on the gravel paths on and around the golf course, which is no wider than a golf cart. It was muddy in some spots, and pretty steep in many other spots. Ill-prepared as I was, I hiked up most inclines and tried to make up some time on the downhills and flat areas.
After completing two loops of the trail, I was happy to have finished my first 5k of the year. I received my sparkling raindrop medal and a cup of water before enjoying a bowl of roasted squash soup inside the event hall. I didn’t stick around for the costume awards, but being the beautiful property that Edgefield is, my husband and I stayed on property to enjoy lunchtime before heading back home again.
Overall it’s a very nice, fun, family friendly event. Children 12 and under can register at a significant discount, which is always appreciated. I can definitely see myself coming back for a fifth year in 2020.
