Keota Fun Run

Keota Fun Run

Keota Fun Run

( 2 reviews )
100% of reviewers recommend this race
  • Keota,
    Iowa,
    United States
  • June
  • 3 miles/5K, 6 miles/10K, Other
  • Road Race
  • Event Website

Angie Maske-Berka

Iowa, United States
177 212
2018
"thunder and lightning"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
Angie Maske-Berka's thoughts:

The 2018 event took place Saturday, June 9 at 8:30 am, at the Keota Community Schools. The race was delayed after a storm passed through, it remained cloudy and another storm passed during the race. It was warm 70-80 degrees. All events 10k, 5k, and one mile started together.

Registration: Early rate was a flat $10 for all events with a guaranteed unisex cotton short sleeve shirt. The price increased and topped out at $15 for all events, shirts were first come, first serve. You could print out the registration form from the web and send it in, or register on race day. No online registration.

Expo/Packet pick-up: No expo. No bibs. No nonsense.

Pre-race: Plenty of parking on the school grounds or on nearby side streets. The school was open for access to the bathroom. Music pumping on a loud speaker provided by the local radio station van. Announcement made to line up. The National Anthem was a recording. 10k participants were told to line up on the left, 5k to the right with the mile.

Race/Course: For the most part the race was an out and back course on the west edge of town.
-Elevation: flat, one hill at the 10k turnaround, but nothing steep
-Terrain: all on the roads, some asphalt, some country highway, could run on the gravel shoulder
-Spectators: random family members only
-Aid Stations: water only, I believe there were 2, but with the weather, blowing them down, I can't confirm
-Scenery - cornfields and houses
-no photographers
-course marked with spray paint on the road
-Volunteers: There were law enforcement at the major road crossing and the fire department at the 10k turnaround. No volunteers on side streets, but not needed.

Finish/Post Race: There were cones set up at the finish line that was sprayed on the road. A volunteer pressed the split time on a stop watch, and another gave you a popsicle stick with your placement. Proceeded indoors to turn in your stick, so they could write down where you finished on a piece of paper. Bagels and bottled water available inside the school.

Once all finishers were in, the results were tallied and awards were handed out.

Overall: Excellent no hassle small town race, and the price....$15 for a race day 10k...can you beat that!?!?!??!

My Race: Where do I begin? The RD position had changed, and as it turned out, I knew the new RDs through social media, I couldn't miss race day. I left my home and the sun was shining, but when I arrived in Keota, it was cloudy and storms were popping up on the radar. I will run in the rain, but lightning is really scary. The race was delayed for a storm that popped up and passed through at 8 am. In this time, I discovered I was the only female running the 10k. Soooo.... I already won, lol, but when I toed the line, I set out to run my best.

I was already in last place, when the 5k runners were on their way back in, but I could see the 5 other 10k participants up ahead. I could also see another storm rolling in. This out and back section is flat and surrounded by cornfields, with a view as far as the eye could see. Then there was lightning and thunder, then the rain started, followed by lots of headwind and more lightning. Where or what what was I supposed to do? crawl into a cornfield? there was no shelter? The police or fire department did not come shelter us. When I made it to the turn around the RD caught up with us and asked if we wanted to continue. At this point, we had run through the worst, and if given a choice, I will not quit. So I carried on.

That was the scariest thing I ever have run through, random lightning strikes with no shelter. The RD should have got us earlier and canceled the race, however they did not have the keys to the vans to gather everyone and did the best they can with a sedan. I am also very surprised the fire department didn't get us. The visibility was also very bad and the road was open to traffic. Runners were running on the road.

With all that being said, I did come in second to last, I passed one person!!! Of course I won my division. With the weather situation aside, I will always try to come back to the race. I like the price and that there are no extra logistics to worry about. Plus the event is centered around a small community that loves their town, stay for the parade!.

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