For San Marcos and nearby communities this is a plan ahead information notice on scheduling your races. This is the time to get some good training in and to start putting some money away for entry fees. The month of October is very unique for San Marcos in that there is a 5K race every weekend.
Starting with October 5th the San Marcos Academy Bear 5K race is first on the list. Last year the race had a good turnout and one of the unusual highlights are the youth age groups. First, second and third for both male and female in the following age groups: 0-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-14, 1519, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79 and 80-99 years. If you are young or old, the chances of getting an award are very good. It is a bit hard to think a child 5 years or younger can run a 5K, and if you are over 80 to say 87, and you are still running or walking a 5K — more power to you.
Next up on October 12th the Great Springs Trail Race at Purgatory Creek Natural Area on Hunter Road is scheduled. Race starts at 8:00 a.m. and runs over the trails in the Purgatory Creek area. The trail has been upgraded and improved over the years, so it will be a scenic run in a tree and bush covered route. The information I was able to find did not mention the distance of the race. In the past, organizers had two different distances for the runners. Not sure on awards or entry fee, but if you want a fun run keep your eyes open for more details.
Following the October race schedule the Kiwanis Pumpkin Dash 5K is October 19th. This will be at a different location this year. The race will be held out at the LaCima Development at their Activity Center. I think this is the first race at this location, and it is an out and back course that will be a scenic, but challenging, route for runners. The organizers have decided on a long sleeved hooded race shirt for the runners this year. I think this is one of the first races to give this kind of race shirt to entered runners. And the Activity Center has a nice covered pavilion for registration and award ceremonies. Entry fee until October 17th is $30 and day of race is $40. Age groups of 19 and under; 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-99, as well as Overall, Masters, Senior Masters (50-59) and Grand Masters (60+) awards. A kid’s fun run is also scheduled for kids up to age 12. Entry fee is $10 and all runners will get a nice medal for finishing. The kids run will actually be a trail run through the park area for a fun and scenic race route.
Finishing up the month on October 26th is the Dia De Los Muertos 5K out at Hernandez Elementary School. This is a fun run with costumes encouraged for the Day of the Dead event. The entry fee is $35 and $25 for runners 18 years and younger. Organizers have also scheduled a kids run after the 5K race. Age group awards are 11-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 5059, 60-69 and 70-99.
An Overall Champion and Grand Masters Champion awards are also included. This has always been a popular race for runners and some of the runners go all out with their costume to run in.
The one item that stands out for most of the scheduled races is the age groups. In the beginning of putting on races here in San Marcos, the upper age limit was over 40. We didn’t include upper age groups because there were not that many runners. After one race here in town, one of the senior runners told me the older runners don’t come to your races because you do not have age groups for them. I added age groups up to 60+ and the upper age groups were usually filled with senior age runners. Now most races include an over 70 year age category for the senior citizens. Many of them are walkers or slow joggers but on occasion there are a few that are still relatively fast over a 5K distance. The nice thing about age groups for older individuals is that by entering a race they are recognized as an active senior runner, which keeps them healthy and fit. Many of the senior aged runners enter with the idea that there can’t be that many in my age group, so I should get an award. There have been several races where the age group was filled and the fourth and fifth runner in that age group entered for the tee shirt. And it is good to see the Academy Bear run have the children’s age group broken into small segments to encourage the youth to start running. At those young ages the ability changes with only a few years difference. With the heads up for your race schedule, start training now for a busy October.
