The 3rd annual Randy Miner Memorial Miner Memorial Country Run will go down as one of the hottest on record. With a 5PM start time, temps were in the low 90s and the real feel was in the upper 90s. Not a cloud in the sky could be found. It was a brutal day. The hottest day of the year by far at this point.

This is the third year of this event being brought back to this small town by fellow runner and friend, Todd Hoffer. Todd calls this race "The biggest little race you will ever run." It is a small race, but that's what I like about it. Todd does a great job of putting on this event and you can tell he spends the whole year making sure it goes off well. Todd takes the time to go as far as to hand craft the overall winners awards for the 4 mile run as well as the age group winners and overall winners awards in the 1 mile race.

At the race this year there was Port-A-Pit Chicken (famous in Northern Indiana), baked goods, and ice cream treats for purchase (proceeds go toward the Etna Green Museum). There was also a small car show and a bounce house for kids (free).

Starting at 4:30 was the 1 mile race. This is open to runners of all ages, it isn't just a kids fun run. If you break the course record, there is a $50 award (same for the 4 mile race). Tina and Chloe ran the one mile race.

After the mile wrapped up, At 5:00, the gun went off to start the race. Right at the start there was a hill, not a big hill, but enough to keep you in check. The course is simple, it's a square. Not quiet a true country mile square, more of a rectangle. 4 turns on the course and that's it. The first mile provides some rolling hills. As it was at the start, the hills are not that bad, just enough to notice they are there.
At the end of the first mile, you could see a small lake/pond to the left. Jumping in that seemed like a far better idea than what we were currently doing at this time. Between miles 1 and 2, a farm house had a sprinkler out for us. Very nice, but could have used an aid station.

The first, and only aid station came at mile 2. there was another sprinkler at about a mile and a half. After that, there was no aid until the finish. Miles 2-4 were flat for the most part, just no shade.
At the finishline, you are greeted with and cold bottle of water from the race directors wife and a cold rag that has been sitting in a cooler full of ice water. Pretty refreshing. Post race food included fruit and cookies.

After awards were announced, door prizes were given away. Stuff like gift cards to running stores, training logs, running books, running movies, and other prizes were given out. Last came the 55" smart TV.

This is a great small town race. Would love to see it grow. There is traditionally very good local talent in both the one mile and 4 mile races. Only complaint I had was only one aid station but possibly that will change next year.