Friday's Featured 5k of the Week - Sweetcorn Classic 5k (Bill Orr Memorial)

The Sweetcorn Classic 5k takes place during the annual Sweetcorn Festival in Hoopeston, IL (down by Danville) every August.  The race has recently been renamed the Bill Orr Memorial 5k, in honor of a man who did quite a bit for Hoopeston, the Sweetcorn Festival, and this 5k.

This is the very definition of a small town 5k - and I mean that in a VERY GOOD way.  The race starts and ends at the local grade school, which, naturally, is an old brick building echoing back to the days of yesteryear.  Packet pickup takes place in the old school gym, for the older runners, this is quite a throwback moment!  Even though this is a small town, this event draws runners from several states, along with some of the fastest 5k runners, but also casual runners, weekend warriors, and walkers.  Regardless of the level of the participant, this is a very fun race.

After the race leaves the grade school, it winds through the town, first heading right down the center of "main street" with old-style (but still active) storefronts on both sides, then turns and continues down another "downtown" street with the same vibe.  The course actually crosses train tracks at this point and then heads into the residential district.  This race takes place in August, which means it might very well be hot and humid.  BUT, it also means that the trees are fully leaved (is that a word) and there is plenty of shade - and small town scenery with the tree-lined streets.  The houses are exactly what one would expect in a Midwestern small town - and this is a good thing!

About 75% of the course is through the neighborhood - and this is where the fun really kicks in!  Asie from the Norman Rockwell setting, the neighbors get into the action.  There were at least 4 houses which had brought their stereo systems outside and were playing "running" music (the one I remember most was Ride of the Valkyrie, but there were others).  The neighbors bring out their chairs and bells and whistles and cheer on the runners as they pass their houses.  Some even have friends and relatives in the race itself.  In all honesty, I have never felt so supported by complete strangers before - house after house of people watching and cheering.  (The Bucktown 5k comes in a close 2nd in this regard).

BUT, if that wasn't enough - near the 3 mile mark I saw the best sign ever - it was held high in the air by a teen/pre-teen and it said "You think you are tired - imagine how my arms feel".  That little chuckle gave me an energy boost in the heat and humidity.   But wait, there's more, there was even a neighbor outside spraying his water hose into the air for the runners as they passed by!!

Near this point the course crosses the tracks again - looking down the tracks is a Midwestern Oil Painting waiting to happen!!!  I did wonder, what if a train came - imagine how ruined the times would be - and what if a person got caught by a train on the "out" and the "back"???

The race then ends with a 3 block stretch where practically the entire town is standing on both sides of the street cheering the runners home!!  What a way to end a race!!!

This race makes every participant "happy" regardless of time or finishing position or heat or humidity.

At the end, very nice trophies are given out to age group top-3 winners!

This is the website - it still has 2014 information up - but this is the place to check - http://www.hoopestonjaycees.org/festival/default.html