2026 South Davis Recreation Center Handcart Races 5K Race Recap - Bountiful, UT

Runners starting the Half marathon

Official Time: 28:10
Placement: 1st in age group, 63rd overall
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather:  upper 70's slight breeze from the east
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years:  [2025] [2024] [2022] [2020] [2019] [2018] [2017] [2015] [2012]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:29	Meh start.  Hopefully I've saved energy for the 2nd half.
2	9:26	Felt like I hit a wall
3	9:58	Is this a 5K race or a half marathon?
3.04	0:17	Make an attempt at finishing strong.
	Total Miles: 3.04 - 28:12

Packet Pickup

Introduction

Well, being in Salt Lake for the entire weekend meant that I could double dip and do two 5K races.  I had just run the Deseret News 5K the day before, so I knew this one was going to hurt.  On the plus side, the over 50 age category at this race seems to be a bit easier to place at, so the pressure was slightly off.

None the less, I came to the race, ready to race and do my best.

I've done this race a bunch of times, as evidenced in the history above.  It is a bit of a summer tradition for me and this race I felt compelled to come back to.  I used to do the half marathon, which starts at 5:30 AM, but given the heat conditions and just having a hard time running halves in summer, I opted in for the 5K.

The calm before the storm

The Race

So the race is held on the city streets of Bountiful. The race starts at 6:30 AM, so there isn't much traffic and the course is properly marshalled.  It isn't terribly scenic, but it is an honest course with a fast first mile and the latter half of the race, a grinding uphill.  I certainly wouldn't call it a "personal best" type of course, but it works for a simple, city-held run.

Packet pickup is always simple and they have it well organized.  I was able to procure my bib in short order and grab a shirt.  Given that the race is held at the local recreation center, we also had nice bathrooms.  This is always a plus.

I did a very short warm-up prior to the race.  Normally I like to do more, but it was warm and I could feel yesterday's race fatigue in my legs.  I figured less was more for today.

The race started, more or less on time, and we were off.  The start is congested but it only lasts for a while before you are dumped onto a wide street where you can run at your own pace.

I felt like I was moving well at the start. I was working hard but keeping something in reserve.  The first mile is a gentle downhill and after about 1.25 miles, the climb back to recreation center can be described as a slow, grind back up.  

I was scoping out my competition as the race began, but there were a lot of people.  I hadn't spotted anyone in my age group but I just told myself to run as well as I could and hope for the best.

View at about .3 of a mile

Mile 1 came in at a disappointing 8:29. I was hoping for at least an 8:15.  I hadn't really glanced at my watch during the stretch and was running entirely on feel.  Sadly, I knew it was only going to get slower and harder.

After about 1.25 miles, you make a right turn and you are greeted with the start of the hills.  I am usually able to grind out another 100 meters or so before reality sets in. People sailed past me and I was growing frustrated. I knew I had a race in me from the other day, but my pace felt so slow.

It was warm and I was working hard and I knew the hardest part of the race was still to come.  I just kept focusing on doing whatever I could to hold a solid pace and hang on.  There were moments my pace did increase but it was short-lived.

The course has one aid station and it was so warm, I was tempted to grab a cup.  But I kept going.

The final mile and a half is a long one.  When you make another right turn the road just never seems to end.  It is only a mile, yet you can see the summit of the hill ahead and it just grows steeper and steeper the further along you go.  

I knew mile 2 was going to be slow and it ran up at 9:26.  About 20 - 25 seconds slower than last year (this would be a consistent theme).

The final mile was grueling.  It is about .6 to .7 of a mile and it is primarily uphill. Everyone's pace falls off a cliff.

Runners coming into the final stretch

I still had people to work with, but most participants were cruising by me.  I was trying to find someone to work with or at least work on overtaking, and the pickings were slim.

I soldiered on and finally I made it to the top.  With a quarter mile to go, I can usually find a 2nd gear but there really wasn't much.  I wasn't going to catch anyone and there wasn't anyone closing the gap on me.  My legs were tired and they didn't have the performance I was looking for.  It was also feeling hot and semi-humid.

Although the finish line finally came and I made the final turn and gave whatever I had left, finishing in 28:10 or so.  Disappointing but not totally unexpected.

Conclusion

So first off, I thoroughly enjoyed doing this race.  There were a lot of people I got to say hi to and the race is just a good-natured event.  The course usually comes in at 3.08, so I figure I ran at least that distance for this race.  Of late, it would seem, my watch has been measuring short.

My performance was disappointing, but really, not unexpected. It was warm, I was tired, and I am now coming from a lower elevation to race in a higher elevation.  All of these factors took a toll on me.  None the less, I did manage to finish 1st in my age group.

They had the typical spread after a race plus some perks:  pastries!  There were some nice high-end donuts present and for a budget friendly race (I want to say I paid about $30) it was a nice addition. There was water and fruit and other typical post-race refreshments available (although they did get thinned out for the later finishing half marathoners).

Awards

Shirt + Finisher's Medal

One of the bigger disappointments for me on this race was the cotton t-shirt.  Every year, Handcart has given out some amazing shirts - that I routinely wear.  This year's was cotton. I could've cried.  It had a cool design on it too.  Sadly, it probably won't be worn much like the rest of my Handcart shirts.

The other troubling thing was the length it took to get awards out.  For a 6:30 AM start time for the 5K, the awards were listed at being given out at 9:30 AM, or 9 AM at the earliest. I think it was to facilitate the half marathon finishers.  This is just too long and by the time the awards were being handed out, many 5K runners had given up and left.  You can pick up your award after the race, but given we were 25 minutes away, it wasn't worth the trip back.

Other than that, though, I had a good experience.  It did wonders for my "soul" to be back in Salt Lake, running familiar races.  Yes, my time, sucked, but there were a lot of things stacked against for me having a "good" race.

Overall, this race is recommended and it is budget friendly and friendly.  I just wish I was still in Salt Lake to routinely run it again.

Upcoming Races

01/23: 2027 Sun Half Marathon - St George, UT (Confirmed)

02/21: 2027 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed) 

04/03: 2027 Mount Charleston Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

2026 Deseret News 5K Race Recap - Salt Lake City, UT

Packet Pickup!

Official Time: 26:53

Placement: 39th place, 6th in the 55 - 59 age division
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Uppers  70's - humid
Garmin Route: HereHere
Previous Years: [2025] [2023]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:21	Decent start. Downhill section. Hemmed in a bit.
2	8:48	Reality setting in on the flats.
3	9:34	Last mile or so is slightly uphill. I was dead in the water here
3.02	0:09
	Total Miles: 3.02- 26:53

Introduction

It has indeed been a while since I last raced.  Living in Las Vegas -- it means the summer months are more or less race free.  And while I've been training and running pretty hard, it did mean that there wasn't much as far as competition went.

So I found the opportunity to double dip two races -- if I was willing to travel.  I've been homesick for Utah for quite some time and I decided I'd run the Deseret News 5K and the Bountiful 5K, which has been a summer tradition of mine for quite sometime.

I desperately needed a race and I desperately wanted to see people that I dearly miss in Salt Lake City.  So I put together a 3-night road trip back to Salt Lake so that I could race.

Pre-Race

So I arrived in Salt Lake, via a 5.5 hour drive, on Thursday a few hours after noon.  I think the initial rush of the packet pickup at Liberty Park had passed.  I remembered last year being fairly crowded.  

I managed to get in and out fairly quickly.  I found a few people who I hadn't seen in a while and chatted with them.  I also did a little window shopping at the discount shoes offerings but didn't really see anything.  I was kind of itching to find a place to eat, to be honest, so I didn't linger very long.

Lead Runners from the 10K

I did notice it was pretty humid.  I think there had been some rain in the area recently and I definitely felt it -- especially in comparison with the Las Vegas bone dry air.

I wound up grabbing some food, checking into my hotel and I actually slept pretty decently.  

The race started at 7 AM and one of the logistical issues of doing the 5K is finding parking.  There is no bus options for the 5K and with over 1000 participants the message I got was to try and find parking "somewhere" and arrange for yourself to get to the starting line or finish line.

I wound up parking somewhere in the middle... about a mile or so from the finish line and about half a mile from the starting line.  To be honest, it worked great.  Hardly anyone else had done that, and there was ample parking and I made excellent time getting out of the post race mess.  It was about a 10 minute walk to the starting line, and a 15 minute walk from the finish line.

The Race

I did a very limited warm-up.  It was already feeling very oppressive at the start and I had probably spent a little too much time socializing versus getting my head into the game.  This really wasn't my A-race but I still wanted to do well.  I had studied the previous year's results and I figured I had a shot of an age group award if the turnout was limited.

The race started at 7 AM and soon we were off and running.

The race starts in downtown Salt Lake.  We start a few hundred yards from where the other 3 races pass by -- the 10K, half marathon and full marathon.  The 10K had started at 6 AM and I saw a few of them throughout the race.

Post race photos with friends

The first mile, while crowded, is a fast one.  There is a gentle downhill at the start and I coasted down it with ease.  Despite being from Las Vegas, where the temperatures are warmer than Salt Lake's, I felt like it was hot.  Also, I the elevation is about 1500 feet more than where I live.  It just felt a lot harder to crush that 5K pace.

It was also hard to determine who was in my age group. While there were a TON of high school aged runners using the race as a tune-up, there were just so many people.  I just told myself to hang on.

The race pace didn't come easily.  It had been 2 months since I last raced and I had missed a lot of June with a bronchitis like cold that was a pain to get rid of.  

Saying hi to Olympian Jared Ward was a highlight.

I crossed mile 1 in 8:21.  I felt like I was working quite a bit harder and I expected something in the very low 8's / upper 7's.

The course eventually flattens out and soon I found myself running along the parade route.  Most of the crowd was holding their seats until the parade kicked off.  It was nice to get a few cheers while I suffered through the next mile. I couldn't coast anymore and my effort seemed even harder. I remembered when I ran this race in 2025 and the half marathon in 2023, wishing that I had never started running. While it wasn't as bad that, I knew it was going to get harder.

Mile 2 came across in 8:48.  Disappointing but at the same time, not unexpected given my pace for mile 1.

The final mile is where reality sets in.  The parade route was still in full swing and the crowds got thicker, but the effort seemed a lot harder.  I knew what lay ahead on the final turn -- an grindy, but long final three-quarters of a mile.  

I am not super familiar with the downtown area, but I always remember being filled with dread looking up the hill.  You can hear and see the finish line, in the distance.  You know you still have quite a ways to go, yet it looks so close.

My legs were heavy at this point and it took a lot of willpower to not walk.  My pace did feel like a walk and I knew I'd probably have a meltdown if I glanced at my watch.

I was being passed by a lot of people and I am told there were a few people who were having medical issues from the heat.  It was that kind of day.

Eventually, I did make it to the top.  I knew it would come and while my watch says it was only about 30 feet of climbing, it felt like a hundred.  

I sped through the finish line in under 27 minutes.  All things considered, better than I expected I would've done.

Conclusion

So I wound up not placing in my age group.  Fortunately, it was easy to get results.  I was okay with it.  I was just happy to finish in the realm of respectability -- and it was my first race in over 2 months.

I was able to get some photos and check-in with friends who I hadn't seen in quite some time.  That was about 80% of the purpose of the trip: see people that I can chat with online, but wanted to see in person.

There was ample post race celebrations, food, and drink.  You definitely get yours money's worth on this one and there are a lot of product vendors giving away free samples.  

The shirt was a nice design and a polyester / cotton blend.  I'll wear it, but it isn't really race worthy.  The medal was definitely a keeper, especially for a 5K. 

T-shirt and medal

The 5K is definitely the way to go if you want to save yourself a lot of headache.  When I've done the other two races, it took an eternity to get to your car and once you got to your car, it took even longer to get back on the road to the point where you could get home.  

I should also note that my Garmin came in significantly short on the course.  I am not sure what happened -- perhaps some taller building interference.  I also do wear the watch head on my inner wrist.  Most Strava users got 3.10 or slightly above in their distances.  Given that this race is attended by elites, I do believe the race distance is accurate and the inaccuracy was a mismeasurement of my watch.

This race is an ideal way of celebrating Pioneer Day in Utah -- which is a state level holiday to commemorate the time when the settlers first arrived in the Salt Lake Valley.  The race is definitely worth doing -- but just be forewarned it is VERY competitive (there were many Olympic caliber runners at the various race distances) and it tends to be very warm.

Upcoming Races

01/23: 2027 Sun Half Marathon - St George, UT (Confirmed)

02/21: 2027 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed) 

04/03: 2027 Mount Charleston Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

2026 Mom's Rock 5K Race Recap - Las Vegas, NV

Starting arch at Kellogg Zaher Park

Official Time: 29:19
Placement: 17th overall, 1st in the 50-59 age group.
Results:  Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Low 80s, breeze from the north - warm
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: First Year for Me

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:50	First half mile was great, 2nd began the climb
2	10:49	150 feet of climbing. Not fun!
3	9:04	Not much left.  Some of this was uphill as well.
3.08	0:35	Finish line snuck up on me. Should've started my sprint sooner.
	Total Miles: 3.08 - 29:19

Packet pickup area.

Introduction

Another weekend comes rolling around in Las Vegas and I am itching to race! As the season heats up, the race choices appear to be getting a little slimmer.  However, I did find a good one about 20 minutes from my house -- at Kellogg Zaher Soccer Complex. 

I've raced here before, sometimes in part with another race or a few years ago I did a brutal 4th of July 5K at the park.

The park offers a wide running / bike path and is suitable for 5K races. However, there is one caveat: it is hilly.  Going west is definitely a challenge, but fortunately, if you are lucky and you get to run east, you'll be blessed with some speedy miles.

The race, put on by the JusRun race organization celebrates Mother's Day. The race is geared for women, particularly mothers, but men are certainly welcome (and encouraged) to participate.

Runners assembling at the starting line.

The Race

The race starts at 8 AM and I got there early expecting a bit of chaos to get one's bib.  Fortunately, I was able to procure one in short order.  I grabbed a (cotton) t-shirt and got settled in for some photos and a short warm-up.

The temperature at the start was already pushing 80F and I did a very short, uninspired warm-up.  By the time the race was starting, I was already damp with perspiration.

Typical stretch of "course"

The race wasn't an "A" race for me, but I came in feeling fresh, with a lighter load than usual as far as training went for the week.  I am not going to say I felt 100% but I certainly felt a bit more "springy" than last week's race.

The race offers two distances: a 10K, which started at 8 and the 5K which started approximately 5 minutes after the 10K. There was also a 1 mile race.+

Not liking running here.

I started up near the front and got off to a good start.  The first half mile or so was a gentle downhill and I wasn't going crazy, I was cruising.  I was holding back, because I knew the westbound route would be mostly uphill and I knew digging myself into a hole early in the race would result in a dreadful experience.

So bright!

I knew right away it wasn't going to be any sort of record breaking day but I figured I'd give it a good effort; surely I could do better than last week.

I ran the first half mile in about 4:20 or so.  About where I wanted to be.  However, as soon as I started running westward my pace slowed.  I recognized a few of the hills I had run last week.  At least on that course, I only got a taste of the westbound route. I still had to go at least another mile.  

From about mile .66 to mile 2.1, it was nothing but an uphill.  I was wearing sunglasses but it definitely felt bright out and my mouth got dry.  

A nice touch for this race was that they did have mile markers and for the most part, they were on target.  Mile 1 came in at 8:50.  Not exactly where I wanted, but to be honest, given that the latter quarter of this mile was uphill, it wasn't too bad.

I hadn't spotted anyone in my age group (turns out the first place overall was the only 50 - 59 year old) but I felt like I really wasn't working with anyone throughout the race. I had caught some of the 10K runners who had had a 5-minute head start, but I was confused as to who was doing the 5K and 10K.  I did check with the race organizer prior to the race and there were age group awards on the line, so naturally I wanted one - if nothing more than to spur myself to try hard.

Finally at mile 1.5 we exited the park and took another bike trail further west.  It was still uphill, it was still sunny, and just "hard".  I had gotten the impression the turn around was near mile 2 so I knew I was getting close.  A few of the front runners were already heading back (probably the faster 10K runners).

I remember mile 2 ringing up on my Garmin and I am not even sure I looked at it.  I probably did and knew the mile was slow.  I had just run close to 200 feet in the last 1.5 miles and I was feeling it.  It was close to what I would consider my marathon pace (on a good day).  10:49 pace.  I've done faster easy runs than this.

I hit the turn around at the dead end of the trail and thought I'd catch a bit of momentum on the return.  My pace did quicken, but my mouth felt like it was filled with cotton and I was just tired.  I was in survival mode.

It helped to get some cheers from runners on their way out. There wasn't much course support other than each other out there.

There was a woman I was trying to catch in front of me, but at this point, it was just a matter of guarding my current position, which judging from the number of returning runners was around in the top 20.  Hopefully I could make up some time.

But there just wasn't much in the tank today.  I can see now that my heart rate was pretty much maxed out and the heat was making me feel a little swimmy.  I don't usually take water from an aid station in a 5K, but today I took a sip of one and dumped the rest over my head.  

As I made my way back to the soccer park, I began to do "math" in my head.  The course felt like it was going to be long.  As I zipped around the western edge of the park, the finish line felt like it was a lot further down the course and I was holding back a little.  I think at points I could hear the finish line DJ music but I couldn't see it.  

Mile 3 rang up in a little over 9 minutes. Considering how I felt, this wasn't too bad, but I expected to be a little faster. Especially now that I had a gravity-assist from the slight downhill.

As I passed the final mile marker, the finish line came into view.  I turned on the jets and used everything I had to speed through the arches.  

Conclusion

So, the race was a relative disappointment.  My time was just above 29 minutes.  I'll be honest, depressing.  For someone who used to be able to run 20-something and now have to settle for 29-something.  It was saddening -- I am not getting any faster.

I had stashed some water near the finish line (they had bottled water) and I managed to cool off a bit after collecting my finisher medal.  They had a QR code link to get the results and I was pleased to see that I was 17th overall and 2nd in my age group (I graduated to first).

Pre Race photo

I had had visions, when I signed up for this race of doing the 10K.  I am so glad I didn't.  I am not sure I would've survived the heat.  Also, the 10K route was the 5K run twice.  Once was enough, thank you!

The race had cotton, pink t-shirts (the color theme was obviously pink and I had the good sense to wear my obnoxious pink shirt).  Mothers received a flower for finishing as well.  The age group award was a simple ribbon.  It was something.  They did have some awesome looking trophies for top 3 overall runners.

There were some pre-wrapped snacks for food at the end (as well as oranges).  A live DJ played hit songs and they had food for purchase with snack trucks.

Top finisher awards

I was really happy with my experience. I do think, though, that the race should start at 7, 7:30 AM at the latest.  8 AM, especially on a very hot day, could be dangerous, especially to newer runners. 

I'd definitely run this one again, although I'd probably sign up a bit earlier to catch a savings.  It was in the mid $40 range when I registered within a few weeks of the race date.

Finisher's medal, age group award and t-shirt.

This race isn't an easy one, but I am happy I was able to place in it and get some sort of recognition. Even a simple ribbon is something that'll push me a little harder during a race.  This race is also very welcoming and ideal for newer runners looking to start their 5K racing journey.

Upcoming Races

02/21: 2027 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed) 

04/03: 2027 Mount Charleston Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

2026 Super Mom 5K Race Recap - Las Vegas, NV

Starting line at Super Mom 5K 10K Half Marathon

Official Time: 28:56
Placement: 16th overall, 1st masters
Results:  Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Low 80s, no wind but warm
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: First Year for Me

Mile	Time	Comments
1	9:19	Sluggish start. Latter half of the first mile was uphill
2	9:44	Some rolling hills before we hit the turn around.
3	9:20	Nice bounce back.
3.06	0:31	Legs felt like rubber
	Total Miles: 3.08 - 28:56

Line-up for bibs

Introduction

Well, here we are again at Bill Briare Park in Las Vegas, just on the border of Summerlin.  I've been here about 5 months now and I've run at this park 3 times (counting this race).  The first one was the Chilly Willy 5K and the second was the Run Through the Decades 6K.

Having a break from racing last weekend, I was eager to jump into another race and being a fan of the Five Star NTP racing company (they have decent age group awards) and a halfway decent price, I decided to jump into their Mother's Day run.  Albeit, it is a week early, it was something to do, under $40, and fairly close to home.  It was also on a course I know well.

Mostly I was there to turn in a solid workout, test for any improvements, and just get out of the house for a bit.  With some luck, maybe I'd place and win an award.

Heading towards the starting line.

The Race

The race started at 8 AM and by the time I got there, the sun was blazing and it was already pushing 75F.  By the time I left, my car would read 80 degrees.  It felt warm.

I was actually shocked a bit when I saw a fairly lengthy line to procure your bib.  Fortunately, it moved quickly.  Normally when I've done Five Star's races, there isn't a line-up at all.  I think they had a pretty good turnout this time.  Fortunately it wasn't a big deal.

I look tired even before the race started

After getting my bib, I stashed my bag and did about a 10 - 15 minute warm-up.  All I can say is I felt sluggish and warm. In fact, by the time I made it back to the starting line, I was dripping sweat and my warm-up wasn't exactly that long or that quick. 

I've also been pushing the proverbial training envelope throughout the week and my legs just felt flat.  This was a low key race so I wasn't too worried about it but conditions basically indicated that it wasn't going to be a PR type of day.

The race started promptly at 8 AM, and the 3 race distances started all at once around the perimeter of the park.  The 3 races included a 5K (the most popular), followed by the 10K and half marathon. I had flirted with signing up for the 10K and I was grateful I hadn't pulled the trigger on that distance.

I felt like I was struggling despite the flat or somewhat downhill nature of the course.  I was running about what I'd expect to for a normally hot day, but my legs just weren't there.

Stretch of bike trail in the first half mile

The first half mile -- it went around the eastern perimeter of the park, went quickly. I knew though that once we exited the park, the climb would begin.  It is a steady grind for the next mile until the turn around.  There are a few stretches that are quite hilly. but for the most part, it is just "uphill".

The race had about 150 runners in it and the front runners had set off well ahead of me.  I felt like I was running solo for most of the race. Not many people were behind me and I didn't have anyone to work with.

The first quarter mile was somewhat congested but I was able to run the pace I wanted to, mostly because I had lined up fairly close to the front.  There seemed to be quite a few casual runners that were lined up in the front that probably shouldn't have been.

Bonanza Trail at the half mile marker

As we made our way on the 8 foot wide bike trail, I just felt flat and I knew it was going to be a struggle.

Mile 1 came in at 9:19.  Definitely a lot slower than I wanted, but not completely unexpected.  I was dripping sweat and my mouth was dry and I felt like I was working way too hard.  The first mile, after the exit to the Bonanza bike trail, is just a grind up.  And my pace dwindled.

It doesn't get any easier the further the race went and the Bonanza bike trail, after passing my medical buildings and a shopping center, gave way to Kellogg Zaher Park.  And here it was another half mile of grinding uphill. My pace, at best, was marathon pace and I just felt cooked.

Just shy of the first mile marker

Fortunately I arrived at the turn around.  I lost count of how many runners were coming back already but it was around a dozen and it didn't look like anyone was in my age group.

Once I hit the turn around, I knew the next mile was going to be fun.  It was smooth sailing for a while and while I was exhausted and fighting fatigue I was hitting sub 9 minute miles.  This was the pace I wanted to run throughout the race.

There wasn't any one to pick off though.  I did get some shouts of encouragement from runners heading out, which was really nice.  

Mile 2 came in at 9:44. Disappointing but given that the first half of that mile was uphill, it wasn't unexpected.

I really had to will myself to push onwards.  I was still coasting for the next .75 miles as I let gravity assist me in my return to the starting line.  Despite the race being a "wash" as far as a respectable time went, I had hopes that at least I could redeem myself a little with the closing mile.

I did forget though how hard the last quarter mile is.  Your legs are just fried at this point and you have a very slight uphill to get back to the starting line.  It is gradual and almost imperceptible but you see it happen to other runners.  Their fast 5K pace suddenly turns into a slog.  I saw a good number of people even walking.

Despite being so close to the finish -- so close I could hear the finishing music, I just had nothing and my pace once again was reduced to a marathon shuffle.

I glanced a few times behind me and a pair of women were approaching but I think whatever age group award I was going to get was signed, sealed and delivered.

I crossed the finish -- it was finally over. 

Conclusion

So this race wasn't an A-race for me.  It was just an excuse to get out, get in a solid effort, and have a little fun.  The Five Star NTP group does have very generous age group categories and that is one reason why I do their races.  

I wound up, after discounting the top 3 finishers, get awarded the first masters runner.  I think there were  runners in their 50s who finish in the top 3.

Finisher's Medal and awards

I didn't get a shirt for the race but the design was cool (it was an extra charge).  It was cotton though and something I probably wouldn't have worn.  The medal was cool and I got 3 pins to add to the lanyard to indicate my achievement.

For $35 the race just right. They did have a water station at the turnaround. Refreshments at the end included prepackaged crackers and water.  I think if I had been running the half marathon, I'd probably have been disappointed. But for a $35 5K - I was fine with it.  Also their award claiming system is top notch.  Within 5 minutes of finishing, I could collect my award and leave - with no fanfare.  I do miss the clapping and recognition, but at the same time, I could continue on with my day.

Runner's finishing

My performance was "okay".  I mean I came in pretty tired from a series of harder runs but my time: sucked.  I expected something in the 27s but I was darn near 29 minutes.

I think the fatigue in my legs and the heat just wilted me.

This race is ideal for runners looking for a fun morning.  The course is entirely bike trail.  It isn't scenic by any means, but I've never been bored on it.  The half marathon is a multi-lap course, so it may not appeal to those looking for a stunning course.

The organization was spot on and I was happy with my experience.  There was a good friendly crowd here as well.  One caveat is the bathroom situation. There are no porta potties here and only the park's restroom.  You could run about a mile to the Zaher park or use the restroom inside the Winco (about .75 miles away) but there were lines for the bathroom and the men's toilet was clogged.  This situation isn't uncommon.  Just a word of caution to try and take care of business at home before the race.

Upcoming Races

05/09: 2026 Mom's Rock 5K - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

02/21: 2027 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed) 

04/03: 2027 Mount Charleston Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)