The First Responders 5K recognizes the strength, perseverance, and courage of Police Officers, Firefighters, EMTs, 911 Operators and their families in our local community. First Responders put their lives on the line for us every day as they face hardships that most of us will never know. The repetitive negative …
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The First Responders 5K recognizes the strength, perseverance, and courage of Police Officers, Firefighters, EMTs, 911 Operators and their families in our local community. First Responders put their lives on the line for us every day as they face hardships that most of us will never know. The repetitive negative experience of stressful and potentially traumatic events that First Responders face on a daily basis leaves them particularly vulnerable to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. We hope that this event can raise awareness for PTSD in First Responders, and raise funds for a local charity, FRST Agency, that will provide support, awareness, assets, and services to First Responders seeking assistance in dealing with the effects of PTSD. Join us as we recognize the service and sacrifice of the people who dedicate their lives to protecting ours.
A portion of proceeds, as well as 100% of additional donations, will be donated to the FRST Agency.
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5 Sneakers for Vegetarian Hot Dogs!
This is a 5K located in Webster which is a suburb of Rochester held annually on the Friday of Labor Day Weekend. I also did it last year so that … MORE
This is a 5K located in Webster which is a suburb of Rochester held annually on the Friday of Labor Day Weekend. I also did it last year so that review has more details. This year I got the packet the day before at the store. Along with bib, included a white cotton T-shirt. I preferred the shirt color last year but it’s a nice enough shirt for a local 5K. Parking for the race was easy. It starts at 6:30pm which is perfect so there is not too much stress making it to the race after work. There is a nice start/finish arch. It is a loop with the same start/finish and is chipped time. Unfortunately I was on-call this weekend and received a complex call right as the race was starting so I walked most of the first mile. Obviously work comes first but this is a fast course so it was kind of annoying but it was interesting to see the race from the back of the pack perspective. One of the race staff drove behind the last walker as a sweeper. He stayed an appropriate distance back and allowed participants to got their speed with no pressure but was there for runner/road safety. It was also fun to see all the first responders in their uniforms. Lots of participants in fire fighter gear in the mid back of the pack. There are also a lot of walkers so this was a very good back of the pack race. There were plenty of aid stations though quite a few unofficial from the locals in the neighborhood. Scenery is fine. Mostly just suburbs but there are a good amount of spectators. Course is pretty easy. There is a bit of a hill in the middle but it isn’t very steep and the second half is more downhill than up. Since I walked most of the first mile and knew I wouldn’t have a good finishing time it kind of dropped my motivation so I did walk the hill this year. At finish line the RD cheers on the runners and there are hot dogs, chips, soda and beer. There were veggie hot dogs again. The race is inbetween 4 and 5 sneakers but having vegetarian options at the end rounds up the score to 5. This is one I will definitely continue to do if I am in town Labor Day weekend.
Help! I'm on Fire!
This is a 5K produced by Yellow Jacket Racing (YJR) that takes place annually on the Friday evening of Labor Day weekend. The race is in honor of first responders … MORE
This is a 5K produced by Yellow Jacket Racing (YJR) that takes place annually on the Friday evening of Labor Day weekend. The race is in honor of first responders and I really like that the charity helps with PTSD in first responders since mental health is so important. Like most of the YJR events, I got my packet the day before at the store. The packet included the bib and the T-shirt. It is just a cotton shirt but I love the color this year. It is a really pretty teal. The race is located in Webster which is a 20 to 25 minute drive from work. The race starts at 6:30pm so there was plenty of time to get there after work. The race set up was real nice. Along with the starting arch and corral there were a few booths by the local fire companies and an area for selfies and some plastic fire hats with the race logo. Although they are way to small for my big head. I was actually feeling a little off before the race and I had a few pages right before the race since I’m on call this weekend and I thought I was going to have a bad night. But running is weird and as soon as I crossed the timing mat I was on fire and super fast as least super fast for a turtle like me. The course is pretty nice. Not spectacular but through some nice neighborhoods. Nothing super exciting but nothing unpleasant. There were a number of people in their yards cheering on the runners which was nice. Course was very well marked and there were volunteers at pretty much every intersection directing the tiny bit of traffic there was. Apparently one volunteer didn’t show up so one intersection didn’t have a volunteer but the course was so well marked I didn’t notice. There were also mile markers. While it wasn’t a hard course this wasn’t a particularly easy course and it was if anything slightly over 5K making my finishing time more impressive. The second mile was mostly a gradual uphill with one steeper hill. The first and third mile though were flat or mostly downhill. Anyways somehow I was super fast today and averaged an under 10 minute/mile pace. I even ran up the steep hill at a good pace and this was the kind of hill I would walk 90% of the time. I crossed the finish line very impressed with my performance and luckily no pages during the race. In the past there had been medals and I actually have a medal from last year when I did this virtually but this year there was not. It was not advertised that there would be this year. As much as I love medals, I get it. Race companies are all short on money and not giving out medals at the shorter races makes sense. I do hope the medals come back in the future. I was also super excited about the post race food. The had hot dogs and chips and soda and the best part there were veggie dogs!!! I hope this means it is goodbye the the Famous Amos mini chocolate chip cookies I am so sick of I will never be able to eat again. Overall this was a really fun evening race. Production was great, it was a nice course and a fun atmosphere. It also helped that I was super speedy tonight. The only thing that would make this better is bringing back the medals but the shirt was a very nice T-shirt. This is definitely one I will do every year as long as I am not out of town or traveling Friday evening.