The SRS Bow Lake 5K is a community running event held in the small town of Strafford, NH. The road race serves as a fundraiser for the Strafford Recreations Sports organization. As you might expect, there were lots of families and young runners enjoying some friendly competition and the early spring weather.

Parking/Facilities/Registration: Registration took place inside the Bow Lake Grange Hall. Parking was along the side of the road or in the Grange Hall parking lot. I arrived late, but had no problem finding a parking spot. Porta potties could be found outside the Grange Hall. Registration and number pickup took place inside the hall.

The rain and the cool weather made the hall an excellent site for registration. The volunteers were friendly and efficient. They gave out bags, frisbees and colorful cotton t-shirts to the runners. T-shirts came in both adult and youth sizes, which is a really nice touch.

Race Course: Bring a sherpa along for this one. There are some impressive hills in Strafford, NH. In fact, the road I left on was aptly named Rollercoaster Road. Lots of ups and downs with a flat finish. The SRS Bow Lake 5K will challenge runners and keep things interesting. The course was mostly paved, with half mile of gravel road. No traffic issues and two passes by the water stop.

Refreshments: What a feast! There were baked goods, bananas, oranges, donut holes, and bagels presented on a buffet table in the Grange Hall following the race. There was also plenty of bottled water for everyone. It’s really nice to enjoy some good food after a race.

Awards and Results: There were cash prizes for the top two overall winners both male and female, and an assortment of prizes were awarded to the top finisher in each age group division.

Overall Experience: I liked this race. It was well organized, the volunteers were friendly and supportive, and the challenging course kept things interesting. I was particularly impressed by the performance of the younger runners. Keep your eye on this region of the state over the next 5 to 10 years. Or, better yet, come see for yourself at the 2015 SRS Bow Lake 5K.

Originally posted at: http://saltmarshrunning.com/2014/04/13/2014-srs-bow-lake-5k/
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