I Run

• Web site: http://www.crowleyroadrace.com/
• Results: http://www.coolrunning.com/results/10/vt/Jun13_Crowle_set4.shtml
• Rutland Herald article: http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20100614/SPORTS/6140322

I've wanted to do this race for a couple of years, but never had a chance to get up to Rutland before now. Since I wasn't staying overnight nearby, I had to get up at 4:00 AM to make my coffee, have something to eat, and take a shower. It was raining here in Guilford, but as I made my way north, the rain stopped and it was just cloudy (but a bit humid). I got to Rutland a few minutes before 7:00 and was able to find a place to park very easily, within site of the finish line. Since Crowley is a point-to-point course from Proctor to Rutland, you either have to get somebody to drop you off in Proctor or take one of the school buses that shuttle runners to the 5K and 10K starting lines. Or, if you're training for a marathon and want to make Crowley part of a medium long run, I suppose you could just park in Rutland and run up to Proctor. Maybe next year. I took the bus (just like Boston!). I didn't bring anything with me so I wasn't really paying attention as to whether you could bring a bag and have it bussed back down to the finish. After getting off the bus in Proctor, I got my bib at the gazebo in the park, then ran across the street to the OMYA building to use the restroom. Proctor is a gorgeous village with lots of stonework, particularly marble, so I took the opportunity to do a short warmup run. As I ran easily up a side street to a short trail that led to a quarry, Bill Rodgers (yes, that Bill Rodgers!) passed me going the other way. Bill has been participating in this race for the past few years, and last year he even got Joan Benoit Samuelson to join him. The race started a few minutes late as one more bus hadn't arrived on time, but then we were off up a short hill and over the stone bridge to Route 3. I really wasn't sure what pace to keep since I was just two weeks away from having done the Vermont City Marathon, so I just went with how I felt. The course uses at least three side roads that run parallel to Route 3, so you're not on a state highway for the whole time. There are some smallish hills (for Vermont), but the course is what I would consider almost flat. The stretch down into downtown Rutland has some gentle downhill parts where you could really open it up if you have anything left. I came in at 43:54 (or thereabouts), which is a 10K record for me. At the finish there was plenty of water, bananas, and bagels for replenishment. In addition to the plaques awarded to the top finishers, there was a raffle with lots of items up for grabs if you were lucky enough to get your number called. I was lucky and got a pair of marble salt and pepper shakers. This is an honest, well organized race that I'm sure I'll do again (but maybe next time I'll stay in Rutland the night before). And apparently, Crowley will be adding a half marathon next year, which should be great fun!

# posted by jm @ 3:09 PM