Featured Running Event of the Week - The Tri-County Barnstormer 5k

First, some interesting history - "Barnstorming" was a popular form of entertainment in the USA in the 1920s, in which stunt pilots would perform tricks with those new-fangled airplanes.  Some of these would be performed with a single aircraft and others with a team of aircraft.  This was basically the first "air shows" in history.

The race derives its name from its host location at Lewis University.  Lewis University houses one of the oldest Illinois airports, and of course offers majors in aviation.

The event itself consists of both a 5k and a 10k on a true Cross Country Course.  Cross Country courses differ from regular running races because the vast majority (if not all of the race) occurs off of the roads and paved surfaces.  Most Cross County races courses also differ from the standard "trail" race in that they tend to repeat portions of the course multiple times and sometimes in a different direction than previously.  Though, in many aspects Trail Races and Cross Country races are basically the same style race, and many people use the term interchangeably.  Typically a Cross Country race is held on a sanctioned Cross Country track - sanctioned by a high school division or college division, but this is not a mandate.  Trail races tend to involve running in the woods, as Cross Country races tend to be on open prairie - but this also is not a "rule" and many of each can be described either way.

This particular course is run 100% off-road and on a prairie style course, just running along the outskirts of some mildly wooded areas, but not through any wooded areas.  The race starts out in 100% pure "cross country style" with a WIDE starting line, almost so wide that everybody can start in the front, though many chose to start 2 and 3 deep, utilizing "runner's courtesy" allowing the faster runners up front.  I do mean a WIDE start.  The course immediately heads 100 people wide directly towards a hill, probably 100 feet away from the start line.  An immediate challenge to the runners.  The course then spends almost the remainder of the race at the same elevation.

The course weaves through some open fields at Lewis University, utilizing the traditional cross country markings at turns to inform runners on which way to turn.  (this is different from many trail races that use line-of-site flagging and road races which have marshals and/or painted arrows).  There is an added aspect of understanding the language of the course with a Cross Country field. 

The course then runs along the outskirts of some small wooded lots and around the perimeter of a corn field.  This fall is run in the autumn, which adds the extra challenge of expired corn cobs throughout much of the path.  The course has some long stretches running next to roads, to keep that motivation up as cars pass and honk in support. 

The race doubles back through a portion of the course, and the 10k event also splits off at some point.  The end of the race can get tricky because of returning through already traversed areas, but from a different direction.  Again, understanding the markings (which are explained at the start), is key to any Cross Country course.

The finish has the racers drop down some elevation, run along a ridge, and then finish with a speed inducing trip down that giant hill from earlier and through the finish chute.  It's always enjoyable to finish an event with a "finish line kick" - and that down hill straight to the chute makes it possible and quite enjoyable.

A true Cross Country event in every aspect.