This is a trail run through the park where you run through nature’s obstacles.

This race is also named after a pub in the area, Governor’s. It is a fundraiser for a scholarship, and is organized by the Corn Belt Running Club. The race has been ran for many years, and there isn’t a lot of information online.

Pre-Race: Registration was available online for only $15, long sleeve t-shirts were extra. You could also register minutes before the race started in the park pavilion, only $17. Lots of parking available, but the later you arrived you needed to take a shuttle from a far away parking lot. Many port-o-potties available, the park toilets were closed for the season. Videos from the course were playing in the lodge to pump you up for the adventure.

Race: The National Anthem was performed live, and we were off. There were 2 courses a 2 mile route and a 4+ mile. I believe the “plus” is due to the nature of the course and where ever race organizers decide the route to go. We choose the 4 + mile route. It was marked with red flags along the way and yellow flags marked short cuts.

The course was a challenge, up and down hills, trails covered in leaves, the leaves hiding rocks, roots and hazards. downed trees and water crossings. While trying to navigate all of nature’s obstacles there were prizes located along the course, they were ribbons attached to trees with numbers on them. If you spot one you bring it back to the pavilion to claim your prize. There were also things on the course that don’t belong, if you find one of these big prizes you win a bigger prize. (more on this later)

The course is for fun, even though there are few who actually race to win trophies. No chip timing. 3 water stops along the way. The miles were to be marked with flags on the course, but I never saw one as I believe they were mistaken as prize flags.

Post race: The finish had a clock and was well marked. There was food available for purchase. Beer, water, pop and cold cider were available for runners. Flag prizes were to be claimed, they were older shirts, candy and lotto tickets. Awards were then given out. There were the overall winners, the wounded warrior winner, the youngest participant, muddiest, and then there were the awards for the items that didn’t belong on the course. Found this year: speed bag, a 10 pound dumbbell, a kids bike, and the grand prize was an exercise ball. Those prizes had to be carried all the way back to the finish from where they were found, in exchange for gift certificates to the local running store or Governor's restaurant.

Overall: For the price and the challenge, I will always try to make room for this race on my calendar, you should too if you like a fun time.

Registration: Available online through Active.com for around $30, or you could send in a registration form. There were also tables to sign up on race day. Website advertised chip timing and shirts with registration. No timing chips were used on race day.

*I have ran a lot of races, most I have signed up online, many through Active.com. This is the first I received about 230984 emails. There were reminders, count downs, important information. It was nice to be super informed about the race, but if a race has an updated website, I find it to be a better system.

Pre-Race: Small race, no expo. Plenty of parking near pavilion at the start. Check in at the tables, get bib number. Could grab some coupons, or travel size deodorant, and then the long sleeved cotton race shirt. Real bathrooms available inside the nearby pavilion. Also playing “patriotic / Americana” music.

The RD was wearing a head set microphone, the speaker was near the finish line. We listened to the National Anthem near the finish line, then walked to the start.

Race/Course: Once to the start, announcements were made, but couldn’t hear them as we were no longer near the speaker, this also meant we never heard anyone say “go.” Everyone started moving forward, so hit start on the Garmin and took off.

The course was flat, 2 loops around Lake Como. Paved surface, no potholes or uneven surfaces. There were mile markers and a water stop at the half way point. Some cheers from spectators that were stationed by finish line.

Finish chute was off into the grass, marked with flags, a clock and the RD cheering everyone on while snapping pictures with a camera.

Post Race: Bananas, apples, cookies, hot water and drink packets (hot chocolate & apple cider.) RD was “buying” beer for Veteran’s.

Overall: Nicely organized race, flat easy course. Not a must do, but if you are in the area I would add it to your schedule. Also always nice to support the Veteran’s

Registration: Available online through get me registered, price increased up to $25. Same day registration. Long sleeve cotton shirts, but no guarantee for race day registrants. Chip timing was also included in fee.

Pre Race / Packet Pick up: Parking was available at the high school, but first come, first serve. Packet pick up was held in the cafeteria, organized by last name. Bathrooms available in the school.

Race & Course: Race starts on the track after some brief announcements about the “Legend” Bob Brown, for which the race is named. He was the former track and XC coach for Regina high school who lost a battle with pancreatic cancer, he always preached “nothing but your best.” This year the announcement speaker was too far away from the starting line to hear anything, so there was some mumbling and then a commotion and we all started.

It had snowed the night before, nothing major, just enough to make it slippery after it was packed down from the heard of runners. The terrain was tough, wash out, tree roots, steep inclines: trail! No water stops, no mile markers. Course marked with small yellow flags. Difficult to pass. Even though some runners, trekked across a field off of the course, there was only one marked short cut; it was marked "Spicy" route or "mild" route. The short cut was on unmarked trail to a creek, that hadn't yet frozen.

Finish was back on the track, after another partial loop, was marked with a timer and a chute where chips were removed. The finish was crowded and a little close to the runners coming into the track, had to be careful and stay out of their way.

Post Race: Lots of baked goods available in the cafeteria; bars, cookies, breads, etc. Blue sports drink and water. We left before the awards were given out.

Overall: I enjoy this race, it's for a great cause and the course is a challenge. I also like that it's not a typical Turkey Trot, you have to put in some effort to complete the course.

Race was organized by the UI Homecoming council as a kickoff to Homecoming, partnered with the United Way of Johnson County.

Registration: Available online for $20 with a cotton t-shirt, bib, & Luna bar. Also could register on race day for $25, shirts were still available. The website had information about the race, but when I submitted an email in the form I never got a response, but I called the number listed and was able to confirm there would be race day registration.

Pre-Race: The race started and ended at the same place, Carver Hawkeye Arena. I ran to the race, but plenty of parking in the lot and the indoor bathroom was open. There was a lot going on, local radio station & DJ playing some music and making announcements, a tent for volunteers, a tent to register, a tent for pre-registration and a water and food table. A member of the Johnson County United Way made some announcements and thanked runners for participating.

Race: After some strange comments "Sorry we are starting so early" "I hope not to sweat;" runners were toed to the chalk line on the cement and were off to tackle to mean streets of Iowa City. Ok, so maybe the streets aren't so mean and most of the course was on a sidewalk / paved trail. There were a lot of volunteers on the course, lining the course in their bright orange vests. There were 2 water stops. No mile markers. No spectators. There were hills, one steep one. No chip timing.

Post Race: The finish had timers with stop watches, writing down bib numbers and times and people crossed the chalk line. There were bottles of water, apples, oranges, granola bars and Luna bars available. No medal or award ceremony, winners were handed their medals as they milled about. No post race announcements, it was just over.

Overall: Nice local, challenging, good price 5k. I would run it again if it worked out.

Race is held to honor the life of Steve Goff. From the pre-race stories, he seemed like an excellent man, anyone who can run a marathon while under going chemo treatments is a Rock Star in my book.

Pre-Race: Registration was available weeks before the race through the University Intramurals program for only $12. Same day registration for only $15. Plenty of parking in the nearby Hawkeye commuter lot. Plenty of port-a-potties near the entrance to the course.

Race: The walkers started at 9 and runners started at 9:30. Grass cross country course, no major ruts, a few exposed dirt spots were slippery in the dew. A few hills, but nothing too steep. Volunteers at all the major turns to direct you. Water stop at around the half way point. Course was marked for every K, not in miles. Finish marked with flags at the chute. No official time results, just took bib tags as race placement.

Post Race: Overall male and female winners were awarded an Intramural t-shirt. Random drawing for Buffalo Wild Wings coupons.

Overall: The course is the perfect challenge, not a crowded field of participants, great cost! I will always try to run this race, join me next year!