Spencer C Duncan Make It Count 5K
Gardner, KS
- 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The Spencer C. Duncan Make It Count Project was born out of a life well-lived. Army Specialist Spencer C. Duncan was living his dream of making a difference in this world when he was killed in action on August 6, 2011. Since that time, we have heard numerous stories of … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Aug 02):
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| H (°F) | 78 | 89 | 87 | 99 | 85 |
| L (°F) | 62 | 69 | 78 | 74 | 61 |
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A mandatory race for vets
This race puts any Vet's day race to shame as far as patriotism goes. Honoring the fallen of the Extortion 17 flight, this looped course sits on the cusp of … MORE
This race puts any Vet’s day race to shame as far as patriotism goes. Honoring the fallen of the Extortion 17 flight, this looped course sits on the cusp of the U.S. Army Reserve Flight Facility at New Century Air Center. The race traditionally starts off with a flyover by some Chinooks, but that happened at the end today as they circled the field after the award ceremony. It’s a fully paved course surrounded by airfield and runway, so it’s going to be a hot race if there’s no breeze. All along the path are people holding signs of those lost on the flight. It meant a lot to me that the MWD was honored too, because they are very much part of the team. It was one of the most moving races I’ve been on, and anybody that’s wanting to do a “support the troops” kind of race ought to fast track this one to the top of your list. A chinook was parked by the finish area, and as they called out the names of the fallen, someone (a family member?) carries their picture out to where they were seated on the flight.
My only complaint, and I don’t even like using that word here, is that the finisher medal is a set of dog tags, and while I certainly appreciate the sentiment there, it did feel “small” for such an otherwise “big” race. I’d say don’t ditch the dog tags, but it seems like a really nicely designed chinook medal or something would be appropriate here. Whatever, they could pass out paper swans and I’d wait in line overnight in person if I had to in order to sign up for this one, quite honestly, and that’s coming from someone who very much will log some miles on the car to get a cool medal.
I didn’t PR here. I had a 30M the next night and I slowed down at the remembrance signs and I don’t regret that at all. It was hot and muggy and I’m wearing body armor, I probably wouldn’t have PRed anyway, but on this zero-elevation loop I’m sure a great many people could.
This race should sell out every year. I’ll be signing up for this one as soon as I see the links go live.