Make a Wish at Aronimink

Make a Wish at Aronimink - race #5

     A week after running Broad Street, I was ready for a nice, little jog on May 12 for the Run For A Wish 5K at Aronimink Elementary School in Drexel Hill. Two obstacles were in front of me though, it was too warm & sunny out & I had celebrated a bit too long at a wedding reception the previous night. Organized by the entrepreneurship class at Upper Darby High School, the students' goal was to raise money for the Make A Wish Foundation. See video of the race at http://tinyurl.com/87go6wp. Last year, the rain kept many runners away but there was a good turnout last Saturday.
Arriving at the race, I was disappointed when I picked up my bib & realized they would not be officially timing the race. After more than 25 5K races, this was the first one that I've ever done that I wouldn't really know my race time. Standing behind the other runners, all the sudden the gun went off (which I later heard was by accident) & we were off on Roberts Ave. before turning left onto Bond Ave. This race was full of surprises! Reaching Burmont Ave., we all realized that traffic was not blocked. While many streets aren't blocked in other races I've done, at least the busy roads are barricaded or have police directing traffic. I'm not that brave!
   Running straight all the way to Agnew Drive, we turned left & passed Hillcrest Elementary School. A mixture of the hot weather, lack of sleep & annoyance with the lack of timers & traffic, & I was ready to stop. I've only walked for a quick break in one other race, but this route I stopped three times!
   Heading down Marvine Ave., all I could think about is how much I wanted to be done. I heard another runner say we were at 20 minutes, so I knew I was at least over 2 miles. There was nothing along the route to tell you what mile you were on either. Eventually reaching Burmont again, we crossed over & ran one last loop around the school. Climbing up the last hill, I searched for the "finish line" but couldn't find anything! My mom & Kevin pointed to a few students & I just headed towards a kid with a stopwatch. Even though I must of have had a terrible time, I have no idea what it is. Afterwards, I heard there was a little controversy over who had really won the race.
     Grading on the route, ease & cost of registration, T-shirt appeal and the overall fun factor I give this race one sneaker out of five. A great cause, but changes definitely need to be made for next year.
     I'm much more excited for tomorrow's Brad Schoener 5K race in Drexel Hill. Running in Arlington Cemetery, there will be an eclectic mix of Mummers, the Phillie Phanatic & bagpipers!

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