The Shine On 5k in Burlington is a memorial run for the wife of a friend of mine who passed away 5 years ago. It is a relatively flat 5k course with a couple of decent inclines, but today was much more difficult because it was 85 and humid at race time. The race attracts about 200-250 local runners looking to run for a good cause. The race has beautiful scenery along the entire course and begins and ends at the local high school on the track. There is local businesses and plenty of things to do for the whole family to enjoy including a bounce house for the kids. There was a one mile kids run before the 5k and a dolphin dash once around the track for the young ones right after the 5k.

The race started fast and ended faster with the top 8 or 10 runners breaking away early posting sub 6's for the first mile plus, I was in 5th at mile one and then the hills rapidly showed up and I fell into 8th at mile marker number 2. Then the last decent quarter mile incline slowed everyone but the top 5 or 6 guys and one woman, I was stuck in no mans land for the last mile which can hurt you because you can't catch the guy in front of you and no one behind you is going to catch up. With that being said I cruised into the finish in 8th place on a very hot and humid day.

Post race was fun with a DJ playing music and plenty of free food for the runners and spectators! I finished first in my age group so I got a gold medal for my effort, with my wife finishing 2nd in her age group and my younger brothers taking 2nd and 3rd in their group as well. Overall it was a very fun family friendly event for a fantastic cause!!