Welcome to the Mason District Running Festival!
We invite you to beautiful Mason District Park to share the trails, meet people, raise funds for local non-profit organization Shelter House, a community-based non-profit organization serving homeless families and victims of domestic violence by providing crisis intervention, safe housing and supportive services. Maybe create new friendships, discover ways to support each other, and, finally, to have some fun.
Mason District Running Festival is not a single race but an all-day running celebration, promoting healthy living and solidarity. The event starts at 8 am and last till 2 pm. It offers 5K, 10K, 6-hour and 3-hour run, 1/2 marathon, and Kids Fun Run for the youngest. Besides running you will also be able to stretch and do some guided exercises under the guidance of our friends at PR Performance Fitness. There will also be couple of raffle drawings (at 11 am and 2 pm, and potentially 10 am) with wonderful prizes, donated by local businesses.
The course will be marked with arrows spray-painted on the ground. Besides the arrows there may also be some streamers and and other signs along the course. Although the 5K course may be a bit confusing (see the course map), with great markings you should be able to stay on it with no trouble. If for some reason you miss a turn look at it as bonus miles (like getting a holiday bonus.)
The course is over 85% shaded and 99% on trails, fire or gravel roads, or grass, which means lots of roots, rocks, leaves etc. There are couple of bridge crossings and a couple stream crossings. Runners may need to cross/jump over tree logs and climb some steep hills (Approximately 210 feet of elevation gain). Start and finish for all distances will be the same – on the grassy field on the right side from the upper parking lot near the tennis courts.
This is NOT a typical 5K course that you may encounter at most urban races in our area. Almost the entire course (99%) is on gravel roads and single trails. It offers challenging 200+ feet of elevation gain, lots of roots, rocks, leaves, fallen trees, and stream crossings etc. There is also a lot of wildlife: from deer and foxes, encounter with which may not be so probable during the Festival hours, to snakes and ticks, which won’t necessarily hide, depending on the weather and temperature.
There will be one aid station, located at the start/finish area and will offer water, Tailwind, and some snacks (bananas, PB&Js, pretzels and similar). Cups may be available but we encourage you to bring your own bottle to help reduce waste.
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