Our BRC class just finished week five with one of our smallest fall classes in recent years. We’ve got four consistent performers, all women, and I have challenged them all to keep doing their homework for a successful graduation. Next month, I will name names and expect all four will still be in place.

    For multiple reasons, we have been measuring and updating several 5K courses in recent weeks. We’ve made the Spooky Sprint course better, redone the Back Creek Harvest 5K course and made a great course for the new Food Banks race in Cleveland. Race participants often take for granted race courses for accuracy and expect them to properly follow the projected route. There is a science to all this, and I am particularly proud of SRR’s solid reputation for doing them right. I doubt there is a better club in the state at race course accuracy.

    SRR is timing several local middle school cross country meets this fall and doing our part to enhance the experience with accurate timing. It is exciting to think that some of these young runners will be our adult competitors in years to come.

   Big for October is a solid schedule of races. First up is the Back Creek Church Harvest 5K and Fun Run on October 4^th. In its second year with a rural course past some of the county’s prettiest farmland, the race will use proceeds for several missions projects. All participants get country pancakes afterwards.

    Then we skip a week before SRR’s first official ‘Do the Double’ races on October 18^th. An almost forgotten challenge, Rowan’s version of ‘Do the Double’ will include Spencer’s Race to the River 5K. It starts downtown near the new park and proceeds all the way to the Yadkin River, the last half of which is a significant downhill. The runners and walkers will be trolleyed back to the park for awards. This one is a 9am start, and the event is part of Rowan County Creek Week.   

     That afternoon, we move to another fast course, in fact, the NC record fastest 5K time was done here a couple of years ago. The Rotary Fall Crawl 5K and Fun Run is set for 4pm in China Grove, just ahead of the town’s fall festival. Proceeds go toward Rotary projects and participants are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes.

   The following weekend, we have back-to-back races beginning with the St. Mathews 5K and Fun Run on Saturday, October 25^th. Race proceeds go to church members with health issues. This is another rural course.

    On Sunday afternoon, October 26^th, the scene shifts to the Rowan Rotary’s long running Spooky Sprint 5K and Fun Run at Catawba College. One of the most popular courses in town starts and finishes on the stadium track with most of the course on the Greenway from Catawba to the Crescent neighborhood. We tweaked the course a little more to add track time and reduce road time in the Crescent.

    The new Fill the Food Banks 5K is set for Cleveland on November 1^st. This race benefits the three local food banks and will be headquartered at the fantastic Cleveland Town Park.

   There is more, but we will save the rest for next month! October is the month that serious planning begins for the Forum Fitness Winter Flight races. Our plates are full, but shouldn’t they always be? When in doubt, think of one of legendary Wayne Crowder’s favorite phrases, “Take the Big Scoop!” A simple four words to live by!

   I’ll see you on the roads!  Remember to never take running for granted and to join us for these great events!

David