Where: Ronald McDonald House, 730 Hawkins Dr, Iowa City
Distance: 5k Run/Walk and 10 Mile Run
Description: The race gives the entire family a chance to participate. From the Fun Run for kids, to the 5K Run/Walk and the 10 Mile Run for adults and parents, the day offers a day of fun, good food, and friendship while supporting a wonderful cause.
Registration: Download the entry form here: Ronald McDonald House Run 2011 Entry
Website: http://www.ronaldsrun.com
Contact: pfohle@healthcare.uiowa.edu
A great race for a great cause. Our whole family did the 5K this year, and it was a great time. It was a nice course, well organized with a great atmosphere. I really enjoy it when there are events for everyone in the family. Next year we’ll tackle the 10 mile.
The Ronald McDonald House 5k is always a fun even. This year the weather was glorious, turnout was healthy, and the addition of the 10-mile race created an exciting new ‘serious’ atmosphere to the day. There was a big group of young girls and their mentors from Girls on the Run present, too.
Perhaps because this was an especially large year for the race, there were more organizational problems than usual. Here are a few that I noted. Hopefully, they’ll have the bugs worked out next year. A great race and a great cause~ can we make it even better next year? A few ideas:
-The distribution of timing chips was nerve-wrackingly slow. More hands were needed there. 5 minutes before the start, there were still many people waiting in line for their chips. If you also had to use the restroom, you were out of time!
-There was no signage at the split, only a lone woman directing/stopping traffic; she was paying more attention to the cars than to the runners. I had to ask runners around me which was the right way. I also spoke to a woman who’s elderly father was supposed to have run the 5k but was missing at the finish. She thought he took the wrong turn and was on the 10 mile route. She was hoping he was alright.
-There weren’t enough water stations, especially for children running the 5k. The day was warm and the hilly course was tiring. The 5k needed 2 additional water stations to the one they had, and the 10-mile should have had 3 additional to the 2 they had.
-there was disorganization at the finish. Pedestrians milled around the course near the i-hour point when 10-milers were starting to come in. There needed to be staff keeping the course clear for runners and walkers.
Still, a lovely morning full of happy kids and grownups. We’ll be there next year!