Did You Walk? Run? Crawl? Volunteer? Fisher 5k Success!
The 2012 Fisher 5k has come and gone. Maybe you ran, maybe you walked, maybe you crawled, or maybe you made the mistake of not getting involved. If the latter is the case, don't worry - it'll be back again next year! I was lucky enough to attend the event, and here's what I experienced.
The event was incredibly well run. All runners and walkers were placed in the corral with plenty of time to get rid of the pre-race jitters before the 9.00 start. There was ample space in the corral too - some races make you feel so packed and uncomfortable while waiting to start, but that was not the case here. Well done, Fisher 5k! A member of the OSU Women's Glee Club sang the national anthem for us, and soon after 9.00 the race began.
Along the race course, volunteers did an excellent job of pointing out the route. Not once did I question where I was going. Further, the volunteers did such a great job of cheering on all the participants, even when they had no idea who we were. These anonymous words of encouragement can really make a big difference during a race - especially if you're going through a bit of a tough time.
Speaking of the route - wow! It was a new route this year, and was incredible! I posted a map of the route, but seeing it firsthand was incredibly different and way awesome. Participants got to see all portions of campus, and the stretch through Mirror Lake was so picturesque. There were no laps or repeat stretches of the course, which is always nice too.
Following the race, generous sponsors provided Panera bagels, bananas, apples, oranges, and Nutrigrain bars. And of course, there was plenty of water and Gatorade for runners to rehydrate with. These treats are always appreciated when you're dripping in sweat following your great race.
I honestly don't know what else the Fisher 5k could have done this year to make the event any better. Operations seemed flawless, all participants I spoke to and saw had a great time, and it looked like a fantastic turnout. I'll be very excited to see what the final fundraising dollars are when they are released. If you were unable to participate in some way this year, make sure you do next year - and remember, even if you're graduating you can still run/walk/crawl! Trust me when I say that you won't regret it.