The Arbutus Firecracker 10k is a smalltown race with a big time crowd, attitude and enthusiasm. It really has the feel of a small town gathering, a time when locals would gather to test themselves in a friendly competition and neighbors would cheer on and aid the athletes. This race really seemed to bring out the best in people and it very well may have been my favorite race of the year. But not my fastest - at least not by about six seconds. This is a tough hilly course - technically there's really only three hills I guess but they seemed quite draining and along with the heat made for a tough run. In that respect I'm fairly happy with my run, especially coming to it with tired legs from Catoctin (50k) training.
The hills didn't seem to affect everyone as there were some very fast runners out there. Again this may feel like a small town race but the quality of runners was on an entierly different levels.Great to be part of a crowd like this. And the crowd included some grat freinds as well which only added to the fun - and competiton (unfortunetly I have fast friends!)
This was the 30th year the race has been held and with the crowds, racers, volunteers and neighbors all participating and enjoying themselves I can see it going on for another 30+ years. And I hope to be there - maybe I'll have caught up to my fast friends by then!
Peace,
Eric
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