Rocky Run YMCA trail run - race #6

    A beautiful course, but definitely a challenge, was the first annual Rocky Run YMCA up and back trail run on May 17 in Media.  All the funds raised benefited Rocky Run's Annual Campaign, which provides more opportunities for youth, adults and families to participate in Y programs and services.  After hitting some traffic (Baltimore Pike is the worst), I arrived at the race about five minutes before the start.  Being a Friday night run, it had a more fun, party-like atmosphere than my morning races.  The weather was perfect, cool and partially sunny, as we lined up on the outdoor track.  After a lap, we crossed the parking lot & headed for the trails in the woods.
     Quickly noticing the sudden, steep drop, I tried to slow down as my body propelled itself forward.  Thankfully, Y staffers had spray-painted visible tree roots orange to help runners navigate the course. The course soon leveled out, & it was fun to run on a course which changed from mulch, to grass to mud.  There was also a lot of hopscotching around puddles which had formed from an earlier rainstorm.
     Sneakers swiftly moving along the grass were the only sounds I heard while running alongside Rocky Run creek.  Reaching Valley Road, we were able to cross after a brave race volunteer got the attention of a distracted driver to stop for the runners.  Circling around a cone, I was ready to head back & finish this race.  Up and back races are my least favorite, mostly because you see everyone who is ahead of you, but this being a trail run I was looking down more so not to fall over any tree routes in my path.  Knowing I'd have to run up that steep slope, I slowed down slightly hoping I'd have enough energy.
     Finally reaching the top, it was one more lap around the track (ugh) before crossing the finish line at 31:41.  Running on grass definitely slowed me down, but it a fun change after racing on pavement most of the time.  And afterwards Don, a Y member & fellow runner, even hosted a nice little tailgate party.  There's never a tailgate after my 8 a.m. runs!  Grading on the route, ease and cost of registration, T-shirt appeal and the overall fun factor I give this race four-and-a-half sneakers out of five.