Springtime 10K a special event
By Fred Deckert
Well, the big one is finally here! On Saturday, 8 a.m. Springtime 10K will usher in Spring competition for the running community, and is Tallahassee’s biggest 10K event. Even once a year runners show up for this one – or maybe it’s the party afterwards?
This year is really special, it will be kicked off the evening before, Friday at 7 p.m. by running legend Jeff Galloway, who will be the featured guest speaker for “An Evening with Jeff Galloway” at Premier Health & Fitness Center. Galloway was the moving force behind the creation of the Gulf Winds Track Club back in the 1970’s. Galloway, a 1972 Olympian and former All American, has authored several books, the best selling “Galloway’s Book on Running” and “Marathon!” He’s a monthly columnist for Runners World magazine and started the Phillipedes running store chain which originated in Tallahassee. A resident of Atlanta, he has run 116 marathons with a best of 2:16:35. Galloway also held the 10 mile US record at one time with 47:49. He’s also the first winner of the mammoth Peachtree 10K road race in Atlanta. Whether you plan to run Springtime 10K this Saturday or not, the seminar promises to be a winner. Space is limited so an RSVP to 576-3338 or sportsbeat@earthlink.net is requested for attendees.
The course can best be described by “scenic and challenging”. In running shorthand that translates to “tough course”. But, it truly is a scenic course, with much of it winding through the Myers Park area. The start is on Monroe St. near the County Courthouse and it finishes at the DOT parking area on Suwannee Street, so for the purists it can be regarded as a downhill course, even though you probably won’t notice the downhill part. I don’t know when the party starts, since my speed precludes an early finish, but it’s in full swing when I arrive in about 9 o’clock. For those interested in the rest of the Springtime Tallahassee festivities, it’s just a short walk up the hill to Monroe Street to the parade and other activities. A fun day for all, whatever your proclivities, awards and refreshments are varied and plentiful.