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Brad Schoener 5K - race #6

     This was the first time I’ve ever gone running in a cemetery & it was really awesome, which might sound odd.  Picking up my fiancé Kevin, we headed over to Arlington Cemetery in Drexel Hill for the fourth annual Brad Schoener Memorial 5K run on May 19.  The day was beautiful, sunny and 75 degrees, & the amount of energy was amazing.  The run kicked off an all-day music festival at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center.  Money raised benefited the Brad Schoener Memorial Fund, which supports the musical abilities & aspirations of instrumental music students in the Upper Darby School District.  See photos & video at http://tinyurl.com/cqu9swd.
     Right before 10 a.m., the Phillie Phanatic (who held hands & skipped with my mom) led us across Lansdowne Ave. & into the cemetery.  As we walked towards the starting line, I noticed the former Upper Darby High School teacher’s headstone decorated with a balloon arch & a race bib with the number “1” taped next to his name.
     Lining up at the start, off we went for the first of two loops around the cemetery.  It was a tight squeeze in the beginning before the runners were able to spread out.  It was great seeing so many kids running, including clubs from Westbrook Park Elementary School.  After our first left turn, we headed down a small hill & past one of the many musical groups which performed along the route.  Most of the course was shaded by trees, but the sun started to wear on me a little as we reached halfway on the first loop.
     The music really helped with navigation as well as encouragement, because I knew the next time we saw these musicians we would be almost done.  Passing a Dixieland band, we headed towards the sound of a bagpiper near Toppitzer Funeral Home.  Up the hill to School Lane was a challenge, but soon we were at the starting line again.  It was a little discouraging seeing a time of 14:30, because I definitely didn’t want us to finish over 30 minutes again.  I wish they had markers placed at mile 1 & 2.
     But off we went for the second a final loop of the course.  It was nice not having to worry about traffic, & any potholes in the road appeared to have been newly filled in.  Built in 1895, the cemetery is really beautiful & peaceful.  Some spectators laid blankets down as they waited for their friends & family members to finish the run.  A hundred years ago people would actually visit rural cemeteries & picnic.
    By the time we reached the finish line, Kevin & I were pretty much completely exhausted.  With a time of 29:46, I wasn’t overly happy but at least I missed the half-hour mark.  Grading on the route, ease and cost of registration, T-shirt appeal and the overall fun factor I give this race five sneakers out of five!
     I might run one or two more races before closing out the spring running season.  But if it’s over 80 degrees, I just may have to go swimming instead!

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