MAX'S O'HARTFORD 5K 2015
March 22, 2015, HARTFORD, CT.
*** Click on the photo below to scroll through the photo album ***
*** Click on the photo above to scroll through the photo album ***
This year was my first running of the Max's O'Hartford 5K, and boy was it a good time. This race pretty much caps off Hartford's celebration of Saint Patrick's Day, and Irish Green is the theme of the race. As you can see from the Hartford Courant's review of the race, there was a good showing despite the freezing cold temperatures and amazing gusty wind.
Two of my OB/GYN interns helping me model our O'Hartford beanies!
The registration took place in the XL Center, the (not so) new name for the Hartford Civic Center. This was a great idea for two reasons. First, I ran into two of my OB/GYN interns while registering for the race (more to come on their impressive quick finishes). Second, all of the runners were able to find a place of warm sanctuary while waiting to line up for the race - thank you XL Center!
The race started with the kids' Wee Mile run. They also had a 1/2 mile and 1/4 mile run for the kids. I was impressed at the number of kids and parents that came out for the run, despite the cold. I'm guessing there were about 50 - 60 kids out there, and some of them were really booking it!
The kids taking off for the 1/2 mile race.
With the kids' races over, it was time for the main event. In the gate before the start everyone was thankful for the packed in crowd to keep the heat up as much as it could. Just before the gun there was an amazing blast of wind that had everyone cheering for the start gun when it went off. The race itself was a nice run down Main Street and then a right onto Park Street, for those who know downtown Hartford.
On the return there was a slight uphill as you came past the Capitol building, and then down through the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch in the park. A lot of the race covered some of the same ground as the Hartford Marathon - a favorite of mine in the fall. All in all, it was a pretty flat and fast run. The field opened up right after turning onto Main Street, and you could then pretty much run at the pace that you liked.
Congrats on a great run, Iris!
The afterparty was a blast. The run, a beer and a corned beef sandwich may the cold a little less chilly. We stuck around for the award ceremony so that Iris could find out that she won her age group - with a blistering 20 minute finish! I knew she was fast, but that was outstanding. Amanda "took it easy" and finished in just over 24 minutes. Seriously, these ladies can run!
Finding some refuge from the cold, we met up with some more friends at the Arch Street Tavern. We were able to shake off the cold, catch bite to eat, and celebrate a race well done.
MUCH warmer at the afterparty!
So this was a great run to kick off the official start to local races for the year. There was some really great energy, and a lot of fun costumes. I'll definitely try to keep this one on my calendar, but man, hopefully we get a few more degrees warmer next year! A big congrats to the speedy Running Obstetricians, and I'll keep a look out for you two at some more of our races later this year!
CMM - The Running Obstetrician, March 2015