Where: Squaw Creek Park (Prairie Oaks Lodge), Marion, Iowa (map here)
Description: Choose from a 5k run or 5k walk in beautiful Squaw Creek Park. All club social to follow the race in the lodge from 2:00pm-8:00pm with MWM, and Midwest Xtreme Tri Club, and CVRA. CVRA members will receive a discounted entry fee.
Results: 2012 5K Run, 2011 5K Run, 2011 5K Walk, 2010
Awesome race put on by CVRA. I love the home baked goodies provided for the racers. The chili was awesome too. I won a door prize along with all of my friends. There were many many prizes and it’s worth it to stay around till the end to see if you can win something. Even though I didn’t win a medal for placing, I did see them and they were awesome looking. Only thing I would say that could be done better is having a race packet with fun freebies, like samples/goodies of some kind from the sponsors and coupons for things from sponsors and advertisements from races. I really enjoy getting a packet. Thanks for having this chip timed.
Cost – I signed up on race day, it was $20 with no shirt. I am unsure if there was a race packet or not since I signed up on race day.
Race Route – The route was almost completely flat through the park roads inside Squaw Creek Park. There were two points where we had to turn around.
Organization – Very well done. The registration was in one of the lodges in Squaw Creek Park and there were hardly any lines for those pre-registered or the race day sign-ups. It actually ended up being a beautiful day out, so not everyone was jammed in the lodge prior to the race. There were volunteers at all key places on the road where you had to turn or turn around. There was parking at the lodge where the race started and just down the road there was additional parking. The website was very detailed on where to go, where to park, etc….
Chip Timing – There was overall chip timing, but it was shotgun start, rather than having a timing mat for the start times. It is also worth noting that the route was exactly 3.1 miles.
Post Race Festivities – This finish line was right near the lodge and the post-race festivities were inside in the lodge. The snacks were bananas, homemade cookies, muffins, chili, cookies, and more cookies. Did I mention cookies? This may sound obvious, but it was nice that all of the food was on tables that could be accessed from both sides and hence there was no backlog or lines to speak of to get snacks. I have been to many races where they stick the snacks against a wall or such that it can only be accessed from one side and people end up waiting in line forever.
Prizes/Awards – I was not able to stay for very long after the race, so I’m not sure what the delineation of awards were or if there were any drawings for prizes.
Overall – It was nice to have a race in February and even better that it was a really nice day for it. Very well done!
I was totally impressed by the cvra. They hosted an outstanding run and the post race was top notch. I love the shirt. Thanks.
This was my first time running this race. I can’t say enough great things about it. The price – perfect. Parking – Great. Packet and chip pickup – Quick and easy. Tech Shirt – It’s a keeper, great front logo. The race – any race I PR in is wonderful to me. Post race – lots of yummy food, cool giveaways and hot chocolate what could be better. I’ll be back next year!
Fabulous race. Loved the homemade cookies and breads afterwards, thank you so much to everyone who made all that stuff. Whoever made the pistachio bread I need your recipe so please post it somewhere!
Love the chili and hot chocolate. Plenty of food for everyone. Thanks for having the race chip timed and for posting the results immediately. I think an out and back course would be easier so we don’t have to turn around twice, but that’s just a suggestion for next year. Thanks for all the door prizes and the wonderful unique medals for the winners. If you could, it would be great to have some goodies of some type in the race packet like a gu or gel packet or coupons for somewhere. Freebies are always great to have from the sponsors. The cost was just right and the location was very nice. Having the lodge to warm up in was a super great idea.
Really enjoyed the race this year. The light snow the night before made for some beautiful scenery around the park. Thanks to everyone who made all the cookies and homemade bread, very delicious. The hot chocolate was just what I wanted after the run.
The timing was super efficient. I crossed the line and had my time posted less than a minute later! Great job, CVRA!
Hey Judy,
Check out the race website here: http://cvra.net/races/freeze-fest
I have done the race in the past and it is fun. Lots of people so if you sign up, go early.
-John
i would like to inquire cost and race route. This is my first time to join.