September 7, 2008 Country Roads 10K set for September 20 The next race for San Marcos runners is the Country Roads 10K on September 20, 2008. The race will be held out in the Country Estates subdivision off of Ranch Road 12. Registration will be at the swimming pool area just past the University Church of Christ. Parking is in the parking lot of the church for runners entering the race. The cost for the race before September 13 (next Saturday) is only $20. After that, up to and including the day of the race, the entry fee will be $25. The entry fee entitles runners to a race shirt and a chance for some give-away prizes after the run. The race shirt is a long-sleeved Dri-Release shirt that is about one of the most comfortable shirts to wear that you can buy. If you try to buy them off the rack at a store, the cost in some cases is more than the entry fee. Early entry is really a bargain. Awards are in ten-year age groups from under-19 years to 70+ years and over. Awards are three-deep for entrants with the overall champion and masters overall champion in both male and female categories. The shirts are guaranteed to the first 100 entries; and to those runners who enter late after the shirts run out, their shirts will be mailed to them within two weeks after the race. Along with the 10K race, there is a kids’ 1K+ race. Actually the distance is about .86 of a mile. Kids entering the race will receive a cotton T-shirt to the first 25 entries. Cost for the Kids Run is $7; and if you want to run and not receive a T-shirt, the cost is only $1. Every runner in the Kids Run will receive a medal after finishing the run. Students at Texas State University are given a $3 discount on the entry fee; and that should encourage some participation from the student body. The Country Roads 10K course is around the subdivision and consists of a few rolling hills. It is very scenic; and since the race starts at 8 a.m., there is a chance that runners may see a few deer still out grazing and wondering why there are so many people out on the road this morning. The course has some small hills, but those that are early on in the race are not the ones that cause trouble. On the backstretch about a mile and half from the finish line is a very gradual uphill that seems to really challenge the runners. When you look at the road, you would guess that it is a flat layout and that you are just getting tired from the run. The gradual uphill is very slight, but it comes at a time when legs are starting to get tired. The more experienced and better runners may not even notice the incline; but after watching this race for several years, it seems those that are near the end seem to feel the effects more than the really fast runners. The best part is that the last quarter of a mile is a nice downhill slope, so that when you come around that last turn you can pick it up and finish fast and look great to all the supporters and friends who are there to cheer you on. With the weather still on the warm side, the swimming pool will be available if the runners want to take a cooling-off dip after the run, courtesy of the Country Estates Recreation Association. There are usually a number of runners who take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy a nice swim after a good run. Another plus for the race that many of the repeat entrants come for is the drawing for gifts after the race. There are a number of very nice giveaway items for any entrants in the 10K run. The awards are at 9:30 a.m., and the drawing for the giveaway items will be after that. You have to be present to win an award, as some of them are top-notch and mailing them out would be costly. All in all, this is a great race in which to take part. The proceeds from the race go to the San Marcos Runners Club for help in covering expenses for the organizing and managing races for other organizations that sponsor runs in San Marcos. This includes bringing a clock for timing, mile markers, a chute for the finish line and help with organizing the run to make sure it is run successfully. The club promotes the sport of running in San Marcos and Central Texas with training programs and encouragement for runners starting out. Take advantage of running locally and on a very scenic and fun race to run. Enter early, and save the cost of a late entry fee and save some gas by staying in San Marcos to run. Dr. Maurice Johnson - better known around San Marcos as “Moe” - is a professor in the Department of Health, P.E., Recreation and Dance at Texas State University - San Marcos. Moe has been a fixture in the San Marcos running community - both as a runner and race organizer - since way back when Moby Dick was a minnow. His column on running and fitness appears each Sunday in the Sports section of the San Marcos Daily Record. • Recent “Running With Moe” Columns • Home • About the Club • Current News • Club Runs • Places To Run • TX Running Clubs • Running Links • Useful Stuff Upcoming Races • Race Results • Country Roads 10K & Kids Run • ARA-Moe’s Better Half Marathon • “Running With Moe” Contact Us!