Spring Break
Freezing 5K/10K not freezing, but wet and cold
Diana Storch
Issue date: 2/18/08 Section: News
The morning of the 5th annual Freezing 5K/10K race dawned misty and gray. By 8:30 a.m., the temperature had risen above freezing to about 39ยบ F and the residential streets around the south side of the UA campus were quiet.
"I didn't expect it to be all this warm. I expected it to be a little colder," said Chris Dodd, a senior finance major who ran the 5K.
The same large digital clock that would be used to time the runners began by counting down the minutes to the sound of the starting gun.
"It's a perfect day to run today. It's gonna be perfect," said Rick Williams, a finish line helper. "The people that stayed in bed missed out."
Before the race, participants and event staff milled across the brick pavilion in The Gardens at the corner of Razorback Road and Sixth Street. Runners jogged back and forth, stretched and snacked on refreshments ranging from fresh fruit to sprinkled donuts, as the oldies music blared from two speakers set just under the cover of the pavilion's roof. The amenities were provided by the race sponsor, the UA Department of Intramural and Recreational Sports and partially paid for by runner entrance fees.
The event staff started setting up at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, said Katie Helms, assistant director for Intramural and Recreational Sports. "It's been nothing but fun," Helms said.
On Friday afternoon, there were 42 people pre-registered for the 5K and 19 pre-registered for the 10K, said Tiffany Gaulke, race coordinator. There was an equal mix of male and female runners, runners of all ages who were mostly UA students. But good numbers from the Northwest Arkansas area, Gaulke said in an e-mail.
The turnout on Saturday was good, said Audrey Walker, a course marshal. "There were a lot more people than I expected," she said.
In past years, the Freezing 5K/10K has been conducted in either December or February, but February has better turnouts, Gaulke said.
When asked about her plans to participate in the 5K, Cesca Craig, 7, said, "I just like running." Her four-and-a-half year old sister also ran the 5K.
"I didn't expect it to be all this warm. I expected it to be a little colder," said Chris Dodd, a senior finance major who ran the 5K.
The same large digital clock that would be used to time the runners began by counting down the minutes to the sound of the starting gun.
"It's a perfect day to run today. It's gonna be perfect," said Rick Williams, a finish line helper. "The people that stayed in bed missed out."
Before the race, participants and event staff milled across the brick pavilion in The Gardens at the corner of Razorback Road and Sixth Street. Runners jogged back and forth, stretched and snacked on refreshments ranging from fresh fruit to sprinkled donuts, as the oldies music blared from two speakers set just under the cover of the pavilion's roof. The amenities were provided by the race sponsor, the UA Department of Intramural and Recreational Sports and partially paid for by runner entrance fees.
The event staff started setting up at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, said Katie Helms, assistant director for Intramural and Recreational Sports. "It's been nothing but fun," Helms said.
On Friday afternoon, there were 42 people pre-registered for the 5K and 19 pre-registered for the 10K, said Tiffany Gaulke, race coordinator. There was an equal mix of male and female runners, runners of all ages who were mostly UA students. But good numbers from the Northwest Arkansas area, Gaulke said in an e-mail.
The turnout on Saturday was good, said Audrey Walker, a course marshal. "There were a lot more people than I expected," she said.
In past years, the Freezing 5K/10K has been conducted in either December or February, but February has better turnouts, Gaulke said.
When asked about her plans to participate in the 5K, Cesca Craig, 7, said, "I just like running." Her four-and-a-half year old sister also ran the 5K.
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