The race is put on by several experienced cross country coaches who are each avid and accomplished road runners as well.  The race start/finish is in the heart of downtown Eudora (population 4,307) on Main Street.  The city park, complete with gazebo, served as race headquarters.  You immediately pick up on the hometown character when you inspect your race packet and find the menu from Cutter’s Smokehouse on E 20th St. and an invitation to enroll in Amanda’s Dance Academy including classes in ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, tumbling and cheer.

An inspection of the course found it to be a foot-friendly smooth asphalt (no pot-holed urban concrete mine field) through mostly tree shaded residential neighborhoods with garage sales set up in the front yard. 

About 250 runners set off on the blessedly cool morning. The USTAF certified course was well marked and marshaled, though the mile markers were too small for the bi-focalled set to see (the director assured me that would be addressed next year).

The finish line was in sight before you knew it and was handled in an efficient manner without the use of chip timing.  Then it was over to the park to feast on watermelon and huge delicious home baked cookies made by the race director’s mother.

Numerous prizes were awarded at a drawing – some were for meals at the local Chinese and Mexican restaurant.

Results were announced promptly and the awards were genuine horse shoes – when you get four do you get a horse?

All in all, a most pleasant way to spend a lazy mid-summer morning, so come next July, plan to saddle up and mosey on over to Eudora.

Happy trails,
Dee Boeck