Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Race Date Set - May 5, 2012
The 2012 Run for Kids Challenge will be held on May 5th next year at Oak Mountain State Park in Birmingham, Alabama. The run will follow the new "Lake Trail" which circles Double Oak Lake. This is the swimming and canoeing lake and is located near the south end of the 10,000 acre park. Follow the link below to the Run for Kids Challenge website.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Run for Kids Challenge 2012
I really like having the Run for Kids on Memorial Day Weekend. I selected the date originally because the race was to be held at Veteran's Park and I thought Memorial Day was appropriate. I was very concerned about the crowds that runners would have to deal with during the day but that proved to be no problem. Birmingham went from setting record low temperatures just over a week before the race to record high temperatures on race day. The heat cleared the park.
By moving to Oak Mountain, even if it is hot, the park will still be crowded. The beach area at the park is crowded all summer but especially when it is hot and Memorial Day is the single busiest day of the year . The run would not created a problem for the park and park superintendent, Mike Jeffreys has given up approval for the run. The problem is the crowds will interfere with the runners. Memorial Day weekend there will be cars and people everywhere along the south side of Double Oak Lake.
We have decided to move the race to an earlier weekend in May. I prefer May 19th. but that is the weekend the Oak Mountain Xterra Race has been held in the past. We are trying to find someone with Xterra that knows the schedule for next year. Tentatively, the date that looks best in May,5th. Of course, we would have to serve Margarita's at the aid station and all runners would have to wear sombreros.
I am adding a new twist to the race this year. I want to encourage runners to raise additional donations to Camp Smile-A-Mile by asking friends and family to sponsor them. For example, a 50K entrant might suggest a donation of $1.00 for each kilometer run, or even per lap, (That is only $10 if they finish.) We are putting together a package of gift certificates to area restaurants and businesses that the person that can raise the most in donations will receive. We may also have a drawing for all runners that raise additional donations.
By moving to Oak Mountain, even if it is hot, the park will still be crowded. The beach area at the park is crowded all summer but especially when it is hot and Memorial Day is the single busiest day of the year . The run would not created a problem for the park and park superintendent, Mike Jeffreys has given up approval for the run. The problem is the crowds will interfere with the runners. Memorial Day weekend there will be cars and people everywhere along the south side of Double Oak Lake.
We have decided to move the race to an earlier weekend in May. I prefer May 19th. but that is the weekend the Oak Mountain Xterra Race has been held in the past. We are trying to find someone with Xterra that knows the schedule for next year. Tentatively, the date that looks best in May,5th. Of course, we would have to serve Margarita's at the aid station and all runners would have to wear sombreros.
I am adding a new twist to the race this year. I want to encourage runners to raise additional donations to Camp Smile-A-Mile by asking friends and family to sponsor them. For example, a 50K entrant might suggest a donation of $1.00 for each kilometer run, or even per lap, (That is only $10 if they finish.) We are putting together a package of gift certificates to area restaurants and businesses that the person that can raise the most in donations will receive. We may also have a drawing for all runners that raise additional donations.
Friday, May 13, 2011
High School and Middle School age groups added.
I have run the trails at Veteran's Park a several times since the tornadoes of April 27th struck Birmingham. Fortunately the park and it's trails sustained no significant damage. The first round of tornadoes that hit the area about 6:00AM missed the park by about a mile. That storm did cut a 300 yard path through the meddle of my neighborhood and missing our house by about 200 yards. We did not get power back for 6 days and it took 14 days to get phone and internet service back.
Yesterday our local USATF official measured the course so we know exactly how long one full loop of the trail is. We also measured a short loop around the large lake. The 50K will consist of 10 laps of the full course and one short lap around the lake. This will also give a short alternative for the last few minutes of the 12 hour run. We may add an out/back section for those that want to go as far as possible.
We have decided to add two new age groups in the 5K. In addition to the 19 and under group there now will be 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards for Middle School and 1st, 2nd and 3rd awards for High School students.
Yesterday our local USATF official measured the course so we know exactly how long one full loop of the trail is. We also measured a short loop around the large lake. The 50K will consist of 10 laps of the full course and one short lap around the lake. This will also give a short alternative for the last few minutes of the 12 hour run. We may add an out/back section for those that want to go as far as possible.
We have decided to add two new age groups in the 5K. In addition to the 19 and under group there now will be 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards for Middle School and 1st, 2nd and 3rd awards for High School students.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
New Sponsor for the Run for Kids Challenge
NUUN Electrolyte tabs has agreed to be a sponsor for the Run for Kids Challenge. They will provide our hydration drink for all races, the 5K, the 50K and the 12 Hour Challenge. I am really excited about their sponsorship because they are the best electrolyte product I have ever used.
For over a year they have been the only electrolyte product I have used in training runs and races. I used them in the Wasatch 100 this year and never had any stomach distress the entire race. You simply add one tablet per 16 oz of water and you have the exact amount of electrolytes you body needs for the amount of water you drink. And even better, they taste good.
For over a year they have been the only electrolyte product I have used in training runs and races. I used them in the Wasatch 100 this year and never had any stomach distress the entire race. You simply add one tablet per 16 oz of water and you have the exact amount of electrolytes you body needs for the amount of water you drink. And even better, they taste good.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Shirt Design for Run for Kids Challenge.
I have been playing with several designs for the shirts for the Run for Kids Challenge to be held here in Birmingham, May, 28th. I finally have one I like and we have decided to make it "the shirt." I think it will look pretty good.
We will use the same design for 50K shirts and a version for the 5K shirts. I am going to use this image for 5K awards as well and 50k and 12 hour Finishers Awards. The current plan is to have the image laminated to "flagstone." They will be sharp, I hope!
We will use the same design for 50K shirts and a version for the 5K shirts. I am going to use this image for 5K awards as well and 50k and 12 hour Finishers Awards. The current plan is to have the image laminated to "flagstone." They will be sharp, I hope!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Rules of the Race
I would like to mention a few race rules that all runners need to be aware of.
1. We cannot allow any type of jogging stroller or any other similar device on the course with any run participant. If you are familiar with the trail at Veteran's park, you know they are narrow and have a few steep hills in the woods. The 50K and 12 hour runs will have started at 7:00am so those runners will already be on the course during the 5K. (I am assuming no one would actually consider trying to run a 50K or 12 Hour race with a baby jogger.) We really have no idea how many to expect for the 5K, (the last 5K for Camp SAM had over 1,000 runners) but no matter, the trail will be very crowded. Any type of wheeled device could be dangerous for everyone. Obviously, we have no control over others using the trail but if anyone is out there with a stroller or on a bike during the 5K, we will ask them please stay to the side of the trail where possible and allow runners to pass without obstructing the race. I do not expect there will be many non-runners at the park at 8:00am.
2. Headphones. We will not allow them to be used by 5K runners for the same reasons listed above. The trail will be crowded and everyone will need to know what is going on around them. 50K and 12 Hour runners will be allowed to use headphones during those races however we will ask them to remove the headphones during the 5K.
If you have any questions, please contact me.
David Tosch
david@davidtosch.com
1. We cannot allow any type of jogging stroller or any other similar device on the course with any run participant. If you are familiar with the trail at Veteran's park, you know they are narrow and have a few steep hills in the woods. The 50K and 12 hour runs will have started at 7:00am so those runners will already be on the course during the 5K. (I am assuming no one would actually consider trying to run a 50K or 12 Hour race with a baby jogger.) We really have no idea how many to expect for the 5K, (the last 5K for Camp SAM had over 1,000 runners) but no matter, the trail will be very crowded. Any type of wheeled device could be dangerous for everyone. Obviously, we have no control over others using the trail but if anyone is out there with a stroller or on a bike during the 5K, we will ask them please stay to the side of the trail where possible and allow runners to pass without obstructing the race. I do not expect there will be many non-runners at the park at 8:00am.
2. Headphones. We will not allow them to be used by 5K runners for the same reasons listed above. The trail will be crowded and everyone will need to know what is going on around them. 50K and 12 Hour runners will be allowed to use headphones during those races however we will ask them to remove the headphones during the 5K.
If you have any questions, please contact me.
David Tosch
david@davidtosch.com
Friday, February 18, 2011
A few announcements about the race.
Age group awards will be given in the 5K. The age groups will be as follows: Middle School, High School, 18 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59, 60 and above. Awards will be given first, second and third male and female runners in each group.
We have decided, probably, on this design for all our race shirts.
We will use a similar image on age group and finisher awards.
Race Flyers for the Run for Kids Challenge were placed in the goody bags at the Mercedes Marathon and given out to 7,500 runners. There was a lot of talk about the Run for Kids and Camp SAM before, after, and even during the race. Web traffic more than doubled every day since the packet pickup Friday.
We have decided, probably, on this design for all our race shirts.
We will use a similar image on age group and finisher awards.
Race Flyers for the Run for Kids Challenge were placed in the goody bags at the Mercedes Marathon and given out to 7,500 runners. There was a lot of talk about the Run for Kids and Camp SAM before, after, and even during the race. Web traffic more than doubled every day since the packet pickup Friday.
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