The Swamp Run, Part 1: Why It's Awesome

The Swamp Run is our hometown race. It’s a 10K road and trail race, currently held over at our hometown State Park, Laura S. Walker. It has a long and storied history in this area, which I know very little about. I came on the scene only five years ago. It has become my favorite race ever. We raced this past weekend.


(Shameless plug follows):

Why the Swamp Run is the best race around:

1. It starts at a reasonable hour of the morning: 9:00 a.m. I am only beginning to feel human by this time. I hate having to wake up in the dark, cold, in order to go put my body through unpleasant things at 7 in the morning.

2. We only charge $10 to race. When some of the triathlons we compete in, which often last only as long as this race, cost $150 to enter, this is quite a bargain.

3. It’s the only race around which has a race T-shirt which sports a very cute running alligator. I have shirts with running blueberries, running ears of corn, and running turkeys, but no others with cute running alligators.

4. You can run in a swamp. How much better does that get? You can also be assured that, most of the time, someone will plant rubber snakes on the trail. I know this, and still fall for it every year.

5. You know everyone who passes you by name, so it’s not so painful.

6. Because it’s a small race, it’s almost assured that you’ll get a trophy for placing in your age group. I love hardware. Even if my 10K time sucks, I feel like I’ve accomplished something, and have been recognized for my achievement. Especially this year, being fat and slow and injured, getting a trophy makes me less likely to give up running and take up pole dancing for fitness.

7. Pancakes and deer sausage after the race. I will say no more- that speaks for itself.

8. My personal favorite part: I get to hand out medals to the kids and adults who participate in the one mile Fun Run. More on this later.


Consider these facts next year when planning your race schedule- I will plug this race shamelessly before the actual event next year.