2025 Handcart Days Races 5KM Race Recap - Bountiful, UT

Official Time: 27:10
Placement: 2nd in age group (55-59), 42nd overall
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather:  upper 70's slight breeze from the south
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years:  [2024] [2022] [2020] [2019] [2018] [2017] [2015] [2012]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:18	Solid start.  In control and slightly downhill.
2	9:02	I expected better. I felt like I was running 8:30 - 8:45
3	9:23	Uphill mile.  Once I reached the summit though, my pace quickened
3.07	0:29	Push it to the finish
	Total Miles: 3.07 - 27:11

Introduction

So in hindsight, signing up for the Handcart Days 5K race in Bountiful Utah was probably not a smart idea.  I had just run the Deseret News 10KM a few days before.  I've been battling a lot of over-racing, over-running and over training.

But the Handcart Days race is one of my summer traditions and for a budget price of about $30, it is worth the expenditure.  If you are new to the blog, then this course I do about 3 times a year. Once for this race, once for Valentine's Day and once for Thanksgiving.  In the past dozen years or so that I've lived in Utah, I usually do this course at least twice.

The race is held at the Bountiful Recreation center (otherwise known as the South Davis Recreation Center).  There is a gym to pick up your bib and flush toilets and a place to wash your hands.  Just a nice place to hold a race.

The Race

The race offers a half marathon and a 5K.  At one point, I used to run the half marathon, but as time has taken its toll on me, I've had to resort to attending the 5K.  The half marathon starts at 5:30 AM and the 5K, 6:30 AM.  I arrived at the race just a hair past 5:30 and was able to grab my bib in the gymnasium in short order.

Packet Pickup

I did a very short warm-up since it was already stiflingly warm.  I kept it very easy and did a few dynamic movements.  I was definitely feeling the effects of the 10K race that I did two days ago.  

I told myself that I was racing, but not racing.  I knew today wasn't going to exceed any expectations.  However, I was going to push myself as hard as my body would take it.

At 6:30 AM, we started.  

To save time, the course is basically a neighborhood run along two of Bountiful's larger streets.  With the early start, traffic wasn't that big of a deal and while the roads were open, there isn't much of a threat to one's safety.

Downhill on the first mile

The first mile of the course is a slight downhill and is always the fastest one.  After a mile and a quarter, one turns east and the long hill begins.  Your pace slows and the race really doesn't get any faster until nearly the start of mile 3.  The last quarter mile gives you a chance to rebound, but the race is largely already decided your fate at that point.

The climb at about mile 1.25

I went out fairly conservatively on mile 1.  Strong but not all out.  I felt like I was holding back a bit and I enjoyed the downhill as I benefited from the gentle downhill.  I don't think I looked at my watch once and I was pretty happy to run an 8:19 for the first mile.

I had been scoping out of my competition and I hadn't seen anyone that appeared to be in my age group.  However, I had been passed by a large number of people.  The race is popular with family and children but I was worried as during my warm-up I had spotted some speedy looking people who appeared to be my age.

Runners at about mile 3

Rounding the fabled corner that starts the climb back to the starting area.  I felt like my pace dropped. But I didn't want to get overly anxious about it -- once again never checking in with my watch.

I knew where the mile markers were at given previous history so I knew how much further I had to run at any given point.

I sped by the race's only aid station and was greeted with the long, slow grind.  It is a gentle grade that gradually gets harder.  I had people working with me and it was nice to have some competition, even if they weren't in my age group or gender, to work off of.  It made me not give up.

Mile 2 -- I knew would be slow, but not 9:02 slow.  And I was working too hard for that pace.

As always, I told myself the journey to mile 3 would be faster.  However, mile 2 to 3 is never faster. The hill just gets steeper.  And it is relentless. Again, I felt like I was running fast and I was working hard, but the summit just takes forever to reach.

Once I reached the summit, with about a quarter mile to go, I was able to switch gears, putting in a final sprint to the finish.  My watch did alert me to the fact that I had just run a 9:23 final mile, which was depressing.

Conclusion

What can I say? I came into a tough course, on tired legs, on a warm day -- I expected kind of a slow time and that's what I got.  I had a right to be a little miffed about it, but at the same time, there was no way I was going to turn in a massive, time shattering run.

I managed to check the results in short order and discovered I had come in 2nd place.

Medal + shirt + finisher's award

I wasn't too distraught about my time. Embarrassed a bit, perhaps.  But I was able to grab my phone and get photos and cheer on incoming runners.

Donuts -- they had more!

Post race refreshments this year included high end donuts, bananas, sports drink / water, oranges, packaged snacks, and yogurt / granola mixes.  It was actually a nice spread given the budget of the race.

The shirt was nice and one I'll definitely wear again.  The medal was cool and I think they've given out the cow bells before for an age group award.

Overall, from an entertainment standpoint, I had a great time and the race is a good value.  They've also greatly improved on the time it takes to hand out the awards.  So all in all, a great morning out in Bountiful.

Hopefully the next few races, with some recovery, will see an uptick of race times.  I've been working too hard of late not to get any benefit out of all the training I've been doing.

Upcoming Races

08/02: 2025 Runtastic Heber 5K - Heber, UT (Confirmed)

08/09: 2025 Alpine Days 5K - Alpine, UT (Confirmed)

08/16: 2025 PC2PG 10K - Lindon, UT (Confirmed)

08/23: 2025 Path to Opioid Prevention Half Marathon - Riverdale, UT (Confirmed)

02/22: 2026 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

03/26: 2026 Mount Charleston Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

2025 Deseret News 10K Race Recap - Salt Lake City, UT

Okay I didn't run 26.2, but it was a photo opportunity

Official Time: 54:43

Placement: 10th in the 55 to 59, 417 out of 1050
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Low 70's breeze from the south
Garmin Route: Here
Previous Years: [2023]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:21	Good start.  Feeling comfortable and enjoying the race
2	8:18	Building up some steam
3	8:49	Declines stopped here but it was a grind upwards.
4	8:43	Mostly flat in here. Felt like I was running faster
5	8:49	At least I am consistent.
6	9:39	Grind to the finish. Just wanted to be done.
6.22	1:59	Not much left to go on.  Pushed it hard to the finish
	Total Miles: 6.22- 54:42

Packet Pickup

Introduction

I was on the fence about doing the Deseret News race this year. My summer schedule has been packed with races in places and this was a bubble race.  It is a well attended race and it would require a day off from work, so it wasn't initially high on my list.

I decided to pull the trigger and actually do the race a few weeks ago.  A friend of a friend had a big to sell and was desperate to transfer it.  I decided to help them out and purchase it from them.  It wasn't cheap, but it got me into the distance I wanted to run: the 10KM.

Having run the half marathon in 2023, I knew the race was kind of downhill, it'd be warm and it'd be an early morning.  Also, I knew all my friends would be there and there'd be a good dose of local elite talent there.  This race brings out the big guns in Utah.

Lining up before the start

The Race

The race requires that one get their bib on Friday at Liberty Park, which also serves as the race's finish line.  I made the journey there on my lunch hour and pickup was a snap.  I did some shoe shopping and scored an "on sale" price on some Saucony Endorphin Speed 4s.  

I slept fitfully the night before the race. I am not sure why. I was in my own house, had an alarm set and it was just a 10K.  It seemed like a lot of other people had the same experience.  Just pre-race nerves.

With a race start at 6:05 AM, I made the arrived at the race sight about an hour early.  It was dark but parking was easy to find.  Pro-tip: In hindsight, I'd have parked to the west of the university in the suburbs and hoofed it to the start line. It would've made the race a LOT easier to leave.

I did a short warm-up (it was already pretty warm). I was sort of sore / fatigued from Sunday's long run.  While I had taken Monday - Wednesday as mostly low volume / low intensity, I still had some residual soreness.

The race start is located near the Fort Douglas cemetery on the grounds of the University of Utah.  They had plenty of porta-potties that were widely open but 30 minutes before the start, there were long lines forming.  

After the National Anthem, we started on the dot at 6:05.  I settled in about 100 runners from the start and got into a decent pace.  It was crowded but we had a wide avenue to navigate.  Within about a quarter mile, I was able to maintain my own pace.

I had scoped out some of my competition before the race, but with over 1000 runners, and previous race results to review, I knew there wasn't much of a chance to place.  Still, I wanted to race / run hard and if I finished in the top 10 in my age group, I'd be reasonably happy.

The first mile went quick.  I was shocked at how effortless it felt and it was a decent time.  Granted, I had just ran a bit downhill, but I was off to a decent race and feeling comfortable.  I knew the latter half of the race would be challenging, but the 8:21 was a confidence building start.

We started to run down Foothill Blvd and the gentle downhill was nice.  I had settled into a good pace.  Everyone had mostly sorted themselves out, I had plenty of room to run and I could comfortably push the pace a little.  We had an entire lane of the boulevard and while there was some traffic, it wasn't much of a safety concern given how early it was.

Mile 2 tickled me pink:  8:18.

Eventually the massive drops ended and I remembered from 2023 that this was about the point that I started to suffer in the half marathon.  Fortunately, I was only running the 10K and I was still early into the race.  

We had to make a right and I was greeted with the first real uphill of the race.  I remember running into it 2 years ago and the refresher view didn't lift my spirits.  It isn't a back breaking hill, but it is a long, slow one.  My Garmin doesn't seem to indicate much of a climb, but trust me there is.

My pace ground to a halt.  While I was still moving okay, I was now running at half marathon pace.  Fortunately, upon reaching the top, I was able hit a downhill stretch.  Overall the mile wasn't the worst, but it had taken a lot of me. I'd say right now, that 8:49 is about an average 10KM mile.

The closer we got to the finish, the more crowd support we received.  We also ran through the start line of the 5 KM race, where runners were beginning to assemble.

Runners coming into the finish line

The heat was slowly started to get to me.  It was warm and a little humid.  My mouth was dry and I was feeling a bit swimmy at times. Despite the hill, I was still on for a decent time.  I was hoping the distance between the 4th mile and 5th mile, would be a rebound mile.  I felt like I was running fast, but I also knew I was working very hard. And, mentally, I knew the toughest mile was ahead of me.

Mile 5 rang up at 8:49. I could live with that, but it wasn't what I was hoping for.

Finally, the parade route.  This is where races are made or broken and in my case, just like the half marathon two years ago, my pace came to a crawl.  I was working hard and trying to get some motivation off of the crowds, but my legs were heavy, I was sweating profusely and my mouth was so dry.  It was nice to get help from the crowd, but I felt embarrassingly slow.  

I kept looking for the final left turn -- constantly calculating how much more I had to run.

Finally, it arrived and while I was hoping I had a short jog to the finish, the finish line wasn't in sight either. It was yet another slow grind uphill.  There was still plenty of people to cheer for you but I might as well have been running in mud.

My form was crap

The blue arches finally came into view.  So close!  Yet looking at my watch I still had half a mile to go. And it felt like an eternity. 

I was counting down the .1 of a miles and I just wanted to be done.  Once I hit mile 6, I gave it whatever I had left.  The course's markers were pretty much matching up with my watch the entire race.  

As I sped through the finish line, the finish line announcer shouted that I had the coolest shorts she had seen (I get a lot of comments on them).  I had a laugh about that despite my suffering.

Putting on a brave face as I finished.

Conclusion

So my time was about what I expected.  For being sort of sore and of late running 26:30 for a 5K, finishing in under 55 minutes is decent.  Still, it is another race where I fell short of my year's goals.  

I wound up seeing some people at the finish line that I knew and made small talk while I recovered.  One of the attractions of the race is also getting a chance to mingle with the elite and YouTubers.  I got to meet a bunch of my favorites.

Mingling with the elites

Post race refreshments were bananas, chocolate milk, cookies, and water.  There were plenty of vendors in attendance though giving away free stuff.  With thousands of runners at the race, there was no shortage of photo opportunities and things to check out.  Also just about every runner I know in my social circle was there participating in one of the races: 5KM, 10KM, half marathon and full marathon.

The medal was nice -- larger than the usual offerings.  I sort of wondered though if all runners got the same medal, which would've been disappointing if I had been running the full.  The shirt was nice, but not the material I normally wear.  The swag bag was filled with useful coupons and product samples.  Definitely props to that.

Medal + shirt

Despite my lackluster performance, I did come home excited. I got to meet a lot of my runner idols and overall, I had fun.  It sure beat work.

The race was run by pros: it was accurate, mile markers were spot on, and while it was expensive (I paid about $60), I got a really nice experience.

Post race festivities at the park

My only gripe was getting from the finish line back to my car.  There were ample busses, but getting to my car, which was only about 5 miles away, took an eternity.  And getting out of the university area was a mess due to many runners on the road.  I shouldn't complain, because only an hour ago, I was one of those runners causing traffic congestion.  I suspect had I lingered at the race for another hour, the situation might've gotten better.

Upcoming Races

07/26: 2025 Handcart Days Races 5K - Bountiful, UT (Confirmed)

08/02: 2025 Runtastic Heber 5K - Heber, UT (Confirmed)

08/09: 2025 Alpine Days 5K - Alpine, UT (Confirmed)

08/16: 2025 PC2PG 10K - Lindon, UT (Confirmed)

08/23: 2025 Path to Opioid Prevention Half Marathon - Riverdale, UT (Confirmed)

02/22: 2026 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

03/26: 2026 Mount Charleston Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

2025 Farmington Festival Days 5K Race Recap - Farmington, UT

Getting ready to start the Farmington Festival 5K

Official Time: 26:38
Placement: 7th in the 50 - 59 age division, 125th overall
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Mid 60's,  breeze from the east
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2023] [2022] [2021] [2019] [2018] [2012]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:43	Uphill and congested start.  Once I get settled in, I was fine though.
2	8:26	Good downhill. Feeling strong and in control
3	9:09	Somewhere I simply ran out of gas. I felt like I was running faster
3.06	0:22	Wow, fast last stretch
	Total Miles: 3.06 - 26:41

Introduction

One of my summer traditions is doing the Farmington Festival Days.  Farmington is simply an awesome venue for races.  It is a scenic town with lots of trees, bike trails and just downright stunning scenery.  I do several races there each year and I always come away with just a sense of joy and pure beauty.

This race offers a 5K and 10K -- both of which are challenging.  Farmington isn't known for being flat so this course isn't for the faint at heart.

The race is coordinated with the city's summer celebration day.  It draws a solid crowd and one of the best parts of this race is that your bib gets you free entry into the community's breakfast -- which is unarguably the best in the state (they even state the same thing).

Farmington City Hall

The Race

The race starts at 7 AM, and I arrived at 6:15 and picked up my bib at the community hall.  I was told ahead of time that this was going to be a busy race -- with over 500 attendees (most of whom would be running the 5K).

I was able to get my bib in no time at all.  I used the bathrooms and wound up getting in about a mile warm-up.  I actually felt pretty good despite a fairly heavy week of training.  

It was warm, however, and I was dressed in a light shirt, shorts and my Saucony Pro 3s.  

The race started promptly at 7 AM.  

I had lined myself up about 80 people behind and that was sort of mistake.  There were simply too many runners who were running significantly slower at the start and it took a while to get going.  But, actually, I was okay with it, as the first third of a mile is mostly uphill.  I went up it at a decent clip but nowhere near race pace.  I knew, however, that once I reached the top, it would level out or be slightly downhill.  "Be patient", I told myself.

Sure enough, once I reached the top, I gathered some speed and began passing people.  I was running along the very familiar Main Street.  Traffic had been cordoned off and I was running neck and neck with other 5K and 10K runners.

I had tried to pick out runners who were in my age group, but there were simply so many that had passed me at the start and I knew at least one was well ahead of me.  With 10-year age increments, I knew the chances of me placing were slim.  But I was still going to try hard.

Mile came up in 8:45.  It could've been worse.  With the clustered start and the uphill, I was actually satisfied with it.

Finally, the 10K and 5K split off just around mile 1.  We hung a right and the 10K would continue straight.  With the taking of our turn, I was greeted by a glorious site: a giant downhill.  I knew it was coming and I loped down it, feeling speedy.

The race had thinned out and I was trying to find runners to pick off and work with.   There were plenty of younger children but my competition was always changing.  I was still searching for age group competitors but the field was actually pretty young; perhaps I had a chance.

Start of the initial hill 30 seconds into the race

Once I reached the bottom of the hill, runners jump onto a bike trail.  In the past, this is where my time fell off a cliff.  Today, however, I was holding steady.  I wasn't running fast, in my opinion, but I wasn't trying to run through quicksand.

Mile 2 came in a satisfactory 8:25. I was okay with that.

Finally, the home stretch.  Mile 3 takes you along the parade route.  There are a smattering of people cheering you on and on your right you can hear / smell the finish line. But clearly there is well over a half mile to go.  Normally people run on the street, but this year the 5K runners were all on the sidewalk.  Monkey see, monkey do.

I was wiped out at this point but still pushing hard.  After the 8:25, I felt like if I could just hit that split again, I could salvage the race.

About mile 2.5 into the race

I was a little crestfallen when the lead 10K runner blew by me (I figure he was at mile 4 when I was at mile 2.5).  He continued to straight making the 6 minute per mile effort look easy compared to my death gasping.

I turned the corner up a tree lined street towards the heart of the downtown area.  I had just run this stretch back in May at the Run Farmington race.  I was hurting here just as much as I did back then.

10KM Runners closing in at mile 5.5 or so

I was so close to the finish line,  yet so far away.  I turned another corner and climbed a small hill towards City Hall and the government buildings.  There were more crowds here spurring me on.  I think if I had looked at my watch at this point, I would've been really disappointed. I felt like I was running at least 8:45 pace in the difficult spots.  However, I clearly wasn't.

Almost done!

I lost a little motivation towards the end because there was no one chasing me.  I was trying to catch a runner or two in front of me though, including a woman who was probably slightly younger than me.  Anything to motivate myself... I needed a goal!

Runners closing in at the 5K

Finally, I reached the summit of City Hall row (as I like to call it) and made another turn down a residential street.  I was close and I could see the final turn a little bit away.  Time for my kick.

I gave it all I had in the final stretch powering past a competitor or two and I pushed it through the finish line.

Post race food line!

Conclusion

I finished in 26:38.  About on par for my current fitness.  I wasn't thrilled with my time and when I had reached mile 3, I was disappointed to see a 9:09 ring up on my watch.  I definitely didn't feel like I was running at what was recently my half marathon race pace.

Part of me was upset with my time but I also recognize the course isn't really a fast one.

I scanned my bib and saw that I was in 7th place.  I figured maybe I had a shot at 4th at the worst, but clearly there were some fast runners.  The one runner who I knew was in my age group that was well ahead of me didn't medal either.  Tough day at the office!

There is no finisher's medal for this race.  At a budget price of $26, your entry includes a race, a t-shirt, and a post race breakfast. The post race breakfast was what they have every year: French toast, fruit, hash browns, sausage and bacon.  They had a juice drink and chocolate milk.  So delicious and it was good too!

Best post race breakfast in the state.

There was a good community vibe to the race and despite my relatively poor showing, I still came home feeling good about it.  This race is highly recommended and offers a good, scenic course that is a joy to run.

Upcoming Races

07/24: 2025 Deseret News 10K - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

07/26: 2025 Handcart Days Races 5K - Bountiful, UT (Confirmed)

08/02: 2025 Runtastic Heber 5K - Heber, UT (Confirmed)

08/09: 2025 Alpine Days 5K - Alpine, UT (Confirmed)

08/16: 2025 PC2PG 10K - Lindon, UT (Confirmed)

08/23: 2025 Path to Opioid Prevention Half Marathon - Riverdale, UT (Confirmed)

02/22: 2026 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

03/26: 2026 Mount Charleston Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

Sandy City 4th of July 5KM Race Recap - Sandy, UT

Official Time: 27:32
Placement: 72nd place, 2nd in the 55 to 59 age division
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: mid 70's, 14 mph breeze from the south
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2012]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:47	No descent here. A little tailwind but 50 feet of climb.  Oof, I am slow.
2	8:46	This mile should've been faster. Got the rebound downhill, but now a headwind
3	9:04	In desperation mode. Was passing people, but not a lot left
3.13	0:54	Emptied the tanks
	Total Miles: 3.13 - 27:33

Introduction

In the United States, next to Thanksgiving, the 4th of July race is the most popular.  You can roll a bowling ball down the street and hit a race. (Okay I am exaggerating a bit).  

So, this year I had a bunch of choices: Riverton, Centerville, Magna, Orem and Sandy. I had run Sandy in 2012 and I had friends who were running it, so I decided it was a budget race, close by, friends I knew would be there, and it was something to do -- why not?

I had vague relocations of what the event was like in 2012.  I remember it being hilly and pretty warm but the finer details of the race escaped me.  Either way, it was a race to attend and have some fun at.

Starting line shot

The Race

I had gotten my shirt and bib the day before the race. I had errands to run in Sandy and figure why not swing by the recreation center and get them.  So by the time I arrived on Friday morning to the race, I had my bib and was ready to race.

I wound up doing about a mile of drills and easy running and had about 5 minutes to spare for the 7 AM start.  It was warm but not crazy warm.  There had been a bit of drizzle as well, which is surprising for a dead of summer race.

Starting line shot

There was also a noticeable breeze coming from the south. I was doing strides in that direction and could tell it was going to slow me down.  About a mile of the race was going to be into this wind.  

I had sized up the competition and didn't really see anyone in my age group starting in front of me.  I didn't have very many goals going into the race other than just finish and try for a decent time.  

The race started on time and initially the course goes down a gentle slope.  I settled into my pace and hoped for the best.  I had started fairly close to the front -- but a respectable distance to allow the faster runners space.  Almost immediately I was swallowed up and passed by dozens of runners.  Wow.

It had been since 2012 since I had run this race and I only remembered bits and pieces of it. I am familiar with the area though.  It was hilly though and almost immediately we turned into a subdivision and was greeted with a hill.  It was a residential area and I could only imagine what they might be thinking seeing hundreds of runners snaking through their tiny area.  

Finally we summited the hill and I figured the worst was over.  The latter half of of the first mile was downhill and my pace picked up.

It was also at this point a runner who appeared to be about my age passed me. I tried to keep up with him but he just was too fast.

Mile 1 hit at 8:45.  I tried not to get too worked up about it, telling myself I was just holding back to smash the latter half of the race.

The course had a few more rolling hills and sadly, we were climbing, ever so slightly.  The southern wind was also holding me back.  I tried to duck behind someone to draft off of them, but no one was running my pace.  

I was picking off a few runners as the race progressed. Mentally I thought I was running fast, but my splits were simply average.  Around mile 1.55 we hit the first (and only aid station).  It was near the starting line and I just wanted to peel off and call it a day.  I did get some encouragement though from the bystanders.

As we sped down the promenade I saw the shopping center that we'd have to run a loop around.  That was a nice sign as it made me realize the race was about halfway over.  The number of competitors around me had thinned, but I was still working with whomever I could get.  My age group competitor -- was well ahead of me.  I was hoping I could reel him in, but no such luck today.

I had hoped that mile 2 would see an improvement, but the grind was just too much and the breeze just made it a bit harder to run.  At least my split was consistent.

I finally made it to the shopping center.  This one has certainly seen better days thanks to online shopping and it is the least attractive part of the course.  Just gray concrete and often times abandoned shops.  I was starting to pass by other runners who had gone out too fast. It gave me encouragement that all was not lost.  It turns out, I probably passed the 3rd place runner in my age group during this segment.

The loop just didn't seem to end and I kept looking at my watch: how much further do I have to go?  On the plus side, despite the wind, the course was flat here.

Once I reached the apex of the loop, and began to run north, I got a boost of energy.  I now had a nice tailwind.  My pace quickened.

Finish line shot

I could hear the sounds of the finish line nearly a half mile away.  In desperation, I gave it everything I had.  There were still some tiny uphills here, but I knew the final stretch was a gentle downhill.

After a series of turns, I was back on the promenade and in the distance, I could see the finish line: tiny blue arches, crowds and a gentle slope downwards.

Mile 3 rang up on my watch and I was crestfallen to see a 9-minute mile hit.  Was I that slow?  I had figured this one might be the fastest mile.  I think the wind and slight uphill portion of the start of the 2nd mile had cost me more than I realized.

I did push as hard as I dared in the final .1 of a mile. I was really hoping to hit 26:XX but with the course being slightly long (and hilly) I knew today wasn't going to be the breakout day. I saw a 27 on the timer's clock and my worst fears were confirmed: not my day.

Runners finishing the race

Conclusion

So I finished in 27:32.  One of my slowest 5Ks -- ever.  I was pretty upset with myself, but given my recent race times, the result isn't unexpected.  I asked around after the race as well: how much slower was this race compared to a "flat" or "regular" 5K race and the answers were generally 45 - 60 seconds slower.  So my finish time, isn't out of the realm of my current fitness.

I did check the results and indeed the early guy who appeared to be in my age group (whom I never caught) was indeed in my age group.  I placed 2nd.  So at least I'd go home with a medal.  There wasn't a finisher's medal.  Also, for 2nd place, I got a pair of Nike socks.

Post race refreshments were bananas, granola bars and bottled water.  Pretty simple affair. They also had a raffle with about 10 winners -- which I was not a winner.

I really love Sandy City's t-shirt designers.  They are always well done, colorful and entertaining. However, they are consistently cotton, so not exactly race wear.  I do keep most of them though, as they make good holiday shirts.  

2nd place age group and t-shirt

This race is reasonably priced (I think I paid about $30) and well organized. The Sandy Recreation Department does a bunch of races every year and they are always well done and the awards are given out promptly.  

The course is a hard one but overall if you want to kick off your 4th of July morning with a race, this is a solid and budget friendly choice.

Upcoming Races

07/12: 2025 Farmington Days 5K - Farmington, UT (Confirmed)

07/19: 2025 Mantua 5 Mile Race - Mantua, UT (Maybe)

07/24: 2025 Deseret News 10K - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

07/26: 2025 Handcart Days Races 5K - Bountiful, UT (Confirmed)

08/01: 2025 Parowan Half Marathon - Parowan, UT (Maybe / Probable)

02/22: 2026 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

03/26: 2026 Mount Charleston Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)