We've been lurking...
I (Mrs. PADC) did this race yesterday.
Farm fresh 5K at Miller Plant Farm on August 5, 2023.
I have always wanted to do a run like this through a local farm. This is a Century Farm and we have been members of their CSA since it began in 2011. The race and day-long festival benefits a local cancer charity. I registered the morning of the race.
I knew there would be elevation changes and uneven surfaces, but I really was not prepared for what I experienced in this race. We have not had much rain recently which was good because it meant that this was not a mud run. (I'm sure the farmer would appreciate more rain). From the very beginning the ascent was significant and seemingly unending. The race began with an immediate uphill, then the course leveled out and ran through a cornfield followed by a left-hand turn and an even steeper uphill. Myself, and everyone around me, seemed to be just walking/trudging up this hill until it leveled out again. I looked at my Garmin for the first time: only 0.58 mile?? Then more level running on a beaten, uneven path through a cornfield, downhill through a wooded area, and then uphill to another somewhat level pass through a cornfield. There were more areas of going uphill, running through cornfields, and running through wooded areas. We needed to step over a large tree which had fallen across the path at one point. Or was it placed there intentionally? After a few more turns we emerged from the woods and could see the finish line almost 200 feet below. We finally got to the downhill section which was significant, and I knew I needed to be very careful due to my past knee issues. Towards the end of the race, I slipped a little bit on the gravel when running down the steep hill between the greenhouses. (but did not fall!) My finish time was 40 minutes and 40 seconds. But for me the time does not matter because I think this was the most difficult race I have ever done. When I look at the elevation map, I’m just amazed that I did it. I’m really hoping there are no finish line photos! As you can see from the picture below it was foggy and humid.
Because of when I registered there were no shirts available, however everybody who participated received a bag of produce which consisted of six ears of corn, a melon, an onion, and a tomato. I’m glad I did this race and next time I will make sure I do hill training beforehand!
My elevation:
The view from one of highest points. I feel like the picture does not do it justice. The finish line is in front of the building where the black and yellow bounce house/slide is.
Thanks for reading!
