Featured Running Event of the Week - The Leap Day 6k

The extra K for the extra day!!!

This event consisted of a 5k (err, 6k) and a 10k (err, 11k).  The routes were set up for a 5k and a 10k - then an extra K was added to the completion of the route.  The "extra K for the extra day".

(though, it was actually run on the day before Leap Day - but it's difficult to have a running event on a weekday - it's the thought that counts.)

The 10K was a 2-loop version of the 5K.  (I mean the 11k and the 6k)

Obviously, what makes this a unique running event are the distances.  Most races are 5k, 8k, 10k, 15k.  There are of course 13.1 and 26.2 as well.  And many Trail races measure distance in miles and not kilometers.  But a 6K (and 11K) are not usual distances.

The body is an interesting thing, it becomes "conditioned" to things - maybe it's physical or maybe it's psychological, but most people I talked to post-race said they could "feel" when the 5K was completed - or they could feel that "extra K".  I know I certainly noticed.

The course was set 100% on bike paths with no road crossings and no running on the roads.  (There were two parking lot crossings at the park, but that was it).  This is definitely most runners appreciate, as navigating traffic, even briefly is not always enjoyable.

The primary portion of the route was the circumference of Wicker Park (not the one in Chicago, but rather a park in Indiana).  The course started in the midst of the park, headed to the bike trail and then circled the park.  Briefly, the course turned on the bike path and went under US 41 out a short distance and then back under US 41.  This was one of many hills on the route.  This one, done twice, since runners went under US 41 and back.  There was also a nice downhill right at the start of the race to give that great starting race run time - the bad part was, because of the added K "turnaround" - the race ended with that very same hill - only upwards.  Most of the route was flat, but at one point of the race, there is a very long very gradual hill, that isn't really noticed until the runners start to reach the summit when they think "man, that 1/2 mile seemed a little bit more difficult than expected".

A very scenic park, even in the winter months, and nice smooth bike paths.  A very well organized event as well.

Very unique - the extra K for the extra day!!!