Engineers without Borders 5K

Time - 20:39
Pace - 6:40
Runners - 134
Place - 20
Age Place - 1st
Heart Rate Average - n/a
HR peak - n/a

Ro, Michael and I planned to visit Leigh Ann at UDel this weekend and I always check to see if there are races in the area. There were 2, one in Wilmington at 9am and one at noon, right on the campus of UDel. The noon race was a no brainer since it meant we could leave NJ at 9am and still get to the race on time, plus it would be fun running on her campus..

We did not make parent weekend this year so it was our first trip to the campus since we dropped her off so we were looking forward to spending some time with her.

I got to the campus and the registration table at 10:45 and was actually there before they were set up. After picking up my number and t-shirt, we headed over to Leigh's apartment to pick her up. Leigh, Ro and Mike went for breakfast and I headed to the starting line.

This was the inaugural run of the race and it attracted 134 finishers. It was run by the college engineering students who did a great job. Races 2 Run was also involved and I was impressed with their organization. They organize many of the races in the Newark and Wilmington areas and from what I can see, do a great job.


One thing I noticed at the start were the medal (wood) they were giving out to the first place winners. They were different and unique and I wanted to win one, but I needed to come in first place in my age group. Most of the runners were students so I figured I had a shot if I could run my normal 20 minute 5K. There were a few older guys so I need to run well. Most of the time sub 20 will win these race in all the age groups up to 60. I bet most of the older runners ran the 9am race in Wilmington because they like to get it over early. The students ran the noon race because they get up a lot later.

I usually don't run well in the afternoon races, but I felt pretty good despite a sluggish training run yesterday as well. My first mile was pretty fast but I missed the marker so i don't know the time and I missed the 2nd mile as well. I know I kept pushing the pace and actually felt I went faster in the third mile as I was trying to keep pace with a few younger runners.

I finished in 20:39 which was good for 20th overall and indeed first in my age group. I was happy with the time and effort. Afterwards I met up with the family and we went for lunch. Spending time with Leigh was very special and it was nice to run on her campus.