I've run the Lakeville Pan O Prog 4 Mile run since 2011. In fact, it was the first run of any kind that I've participated in since beginning my running career. I believe I've missed it just two years, in 2014, when I was recovering from a shin injury, and in 2015 when it was cancelled due to inclement weather.

It is typically always a well run event. It is a small hometown run that coincides with the Lakeville Pan O Prog, a week long celebration featuring several events in the town of Lakeville, MN.

The 4 Mile run has always been the main event, but in recent years, they added the 1 Mile run as well. I always sign up for both, but this was the first year I actually ran both!

Online registration is available up until a few days prior to race day. If you sign up within a month of the event, then the cost is a more than reasonable $18. For both events, $20. And with that you get a bag full of local coupons as well as a nifty tee shirt. The shirts design used to be rather predictable, but the past two years, they changed it up a bit. That has been a pleasant surprise.

There is plenty of free on site parking available. And since it is mainly locals, there is a bit of car pooling going on.

The race begins early, at 7:45 am, which is a good thing for early July as the weather can be markedly miserable, hot, and humid. This year, we caught a break with a cooler morning and a nice head wind.

There is also race day registration available for a slightly higher fee.

The course is an out and back with a little loop hole, and there is one water stop that covers both directions near the 1.5 mile mark. There is one major road crossing which is handled by local police. The rest of the race is ran on a lakeside paved path, and a walking path which lines the main street. The race begins and ends in Casperson Park in Lakeville.

There is also a 1 Mile Run which begins along the same route, but turns around at the 1/2 mile mark, plus a 1/2 mile kids fun run!

There is an abundance of food following the race, including bagels, fruit, granola bars, and donuts and cookies...and STARBUCKS COFFEE which is a major PLUS! Water bottles, as well as water coolers are abundant. There is a DJ, who in my opinion plays crappy music and is WAY TOO LOUD.

All the kids receive medals following their runs. Medals are also awarded to the 1st and 2nd place age group finishers in the other events, and there is always a raffle drawing with some great prizes donated by local vendors and running stores. For the most part, the award ceremony goes off without a hitch. This year, however, they had a major snafu, and I ended up leaving before the 1 mile results could be tabulated, almost 2 hours following the event! Big bummer. I would have thought they would have sent us off sooner and just mailed out any medals or certificates to the winners. That could have been handled better.

This year, I received a 1st place in my age group for the 4 Mile run, so I received a medal and a $10 gift certificate to RunMN, a local running store. Yay! I'm still awaiting the 1 Mile corrected results.

All in all, the Lakeville Pan O Prog run is a fun family event, and if you are in or near town for the first Saturday in July, I highly recommend it for the course, the view, the comradery, and the fun tee shirt and prizes....OH and the COFFEE!!!!