Race Report: Race to the Altar 5K 2017

What happens when a race director marries her runner sweetheart? A wedding followed by a celebratory race. And a whole lotta fun!

Training & Goals
My goals were to have fun, not cry too much (weddings, man!), and not get too sweaty. Also it would be nice to have negative splits. I've been trying to start out training runs at a slow pace... with mixed success.

Race Day: March 17, 2017
First I forgot my phone -- Arthur came running out of the house to give it to me just before I drove away. Then about halfway to the venue I realized I forgot my Garmin, so I had to turn around. Luckily I made it to Beck Ranch Park with time to spare.

This wedding and race took place on St. Patrick's Day, a holiday special to the happy couple and to West Volusia Runners, the club that brought them together. Along with folks dressing up for St. Pat's, there was a bridesmaid costume contest, so several runners (male and female) were dressed in old formal dresses for the evening. There were also runners wearing tuxedo t-shirts and many more wearing regular running clothes. It was a fun mix. I wore a running skirt and a matching top to look a little bit nice for the wedding and still feel comfortable for the run. It was a beautiful evening for a wedding. At the start of the run it was 66°F with 43% humidity and bright sunshine.

Mile 1: 11:30
The course was a simple out-and-back along the multi-use trail from Beck Ranch towards the St. John's River pedestrian bridge.

Mile 2: 11:15

Mile 3+: 11:01, 1:24
Negative splits: NAILED IT!

After Party

After the race, runners, those in the wedding party, and friends and family gathered for a catered barbecue feast and fun. The whole event was put together beautifully with all aspects blending together seamlessly; I know a lot of people put a lot of work into making everything perfect and to my eyes it was a huge success.

Garmin time:
35:10
Race Amenities:
A beautiful wedding, plenty of food and bev for all to enjoy, t-shirt & finisher medal for all
Cost:
$28.00 including $3 processing fee

Report written April 2, 2017

Both photos of blogger (c) Almost There Photography

Local 5K Race Report: DeBary 5K 2016 or: That Time I Forgot My Garmin

The DeBary 5K is sponsored in large part by a local contracting company, DBK. Proceeds go towards DeBary Elementary School and the Kruid Foundation. The 2016 race was the 2nd annual. Training & Goals I had just come back from a 10-day holiday in Costa Rica...

Local Race Recap: DBK 5K 2018

The DBK 5K is sponsored by a local contracting company. The 2018 race was the 4th annual; I ran this one previously in 2016. Training & GoalsI was finally starting to feel like my injury was behind me following my fall and suspected fractured/bruised rib(s) at...

Race Report: 2018 WDW 5K (Dopey 1/4)

Let the 2018 Dopey Challenge begin! I was so excited and nervous for this weekend for so long, and the time was finally here! In just a few days I would be running my first marathon, but first, as part of the Dopey Challenge, I had three other...

Race Recap: 2023 WDW Marathon Weekend 5K

Five years ago this week, I was running my first Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World, getting ready to run my first Marathon as part of the race weekend. This year I took part in the 5K (and volunteered for the half marathon and marathon).