Howlin at the Moon 5k; Race Report #19

     On Saturday night, September 9th, we headed down to Riverwalk Park in Bakersfield for the Howlin at the Moon 5 and 10k runs. This event is put on by the Bakersfield Police Department and is one of my favorite races every year. Robin and I met Trevor and Andrea there, along with Stan, Lisa, Aden, and David for a night of running fun. I did my usual warm-ups and strides. My feet were still hurting a little, and that soon subsided. The temperature was rather hot for a night time race, as the thermometer said it was a balmy 88 out, just dipping below the magic 90 number. We all had headlamps on for the race. The race was being chipped timed by the Bakersfield Track Club and post race meals were catered by Dickies Barbecue. We got all of this plus more for our 25.00 pre-entry.  This race is easily one of the best things going, yet there could be a lot more runners entered.
     The course was out and back on the Kern River bike path, and it was flat and fast. The lead vehicle is a police Quad with light strobes going. All of the runners are given glow in the dark bracelets and necklaces which makes everything look really cool when out on the course. The police put portable strobe lights on the ground at the 5k turnaround, along with a portable set of stadium lights and the aid station. It was impossible to miss.
     I didn't take off too fast at the gun, but I did settle into a quick pace, hoping to go sub 20:30. My first mile was a 6:21. I could see Aden not too far ahead of me still. It wasn't long before the turnaround point came into view. It was a bright beacon on the dark Bakersfield landscape. I watched in astonishment as Aden, who had already run a high school race earlier in the day, kept on going at the 5k turnaround, he just followed the runner ahead of him who happened to be running the 10k.
     I did the turnaround and headed back the other way, now running at people with their bobbing headlamps and glow in the dark accessories. The view is cool, but it was tough to concentrate on the people and ground while trying to maintain my pace. I saw Robin and our friends heading out as I headed back. I passed the only guy I was close to, as the other 5k runner was too far ahead for me to catch. When I went under the road and passed California Pizza Kitchen I knew the race had only a half mile to go. Stan was there cheering me on, but I knew I had lost too much time to still be able to break 20:30.
     I finished in 20:46. It wasn't under my goal time but it was my fastest 5k this year. I finished in second overall, and first in the 50-59 age group. It wasn't long before all my friends finished the 5k. I told David his son missed the turnaround and was now doing the 10k. Aden ended up finishing second overall in the 10k and received some grief from everyone for missing the well-marked turnaround.

Results from the Howlin at the Moon 5k

      The awards in this race are great. They are beverage glasses. Some would call them beer mugs, or pints. They have the race logo and finishing place on them. Remember, this race was only 25.00 to pre-register for. We got our awards and gave our meal tickets to David and Aden before heading to BJ's for some more fun, food, and drinks.

The really cool awards at the Howlin at the Moon 5 and 10k

     The race also holds a raffle after the awards. Every entry gets a raffle ticket which you place in the container for the item you hope to win. There's everything from bikes and T.V.s to spa getaways. You have the option to purchase more tickets. Did I mention the race was only 25.00 to pre-register for? The best part is all of the proceeds go the Bakersfield Police Department K-9 Department.