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Monday, May 10, 2010

Riverbank Run

Every May, Grand Rapids is host to the Riverbank Run. It's a well known race and runners come from all over the world to participate. It's called the Riverbank Run because for a part of the race, the runners are able to run next to the Grand River.
There are several races included in this. There is a 25K, 10K, 5K, wheelchair race and a 5K walk.
My daughter Laura has started running and this year she did the 10K. I had the day off, so I went to cheer her on and see her cross that finish line.

It wasn't a very nice day for the race. The temps were in the high 30's and it was raining and windy.
Here you see some of the runners coming down the street. They close a lot of streets to traffic, so it can be difficult to get to the downtown area, where the start and finish line is.


People line the route, cheering and clapping for the runners. Laura said it really made a difference to her, hearing the cheers as she ran past the bystanders.


I was standing here, near the finish line, trying to watch for Laura.


Here is the finish line, with different clocks going for the different races. You may notice there is no picture of Laura finishing the race. That's because I missed her! There were times that so many people were running in front of us, that we couldn't see all the runners. I was bummed to miss that photo op!

Here is Laura, being congratulated by her husband, Aaron. I think she did great! Her time was 59.53. The 10K had 3,623 finishers of which 2204 were women. Out of those women, Laura was #987.
She really enjoyed it, and I have a feeling there are more races in her future.

24 comments:

Angel said...

How fun!! I have always wanted to be a runner, but I guess it is all in my head because I have never wanted to train for it, LOL. It is so great in my head though. So cool that you got to go, sorry you missed her finishing though. Congrats to her for doing this!! Love and Blessings

Mindy said...

Cool, good for her!!! High 30's? Brrr.

Mindy said...

Cool, good for her!!! High 30's? Brrr.

Unknown said...

congrats to Laura!!! That is great, she looks like a runner.

mariel said...

how fun! she is glowing!! i hope I glow like that when I finish this race marked out for me!! (2 Timothy 4:7)

Jean said...

Go, Laura!!

Reminds me of the early Spring high school track meets that I used to freeze while watching!

Rae said...

That is fantastic. She really did well. You have every reason to be proud of her. She is lovely and looks so happy. Great job Laura!

Just Mom said...

Congratulations to Laura! Nice job. :-D

Hootin Anni said...

Erik is a marathon runner....so I know how proud you were to see her finish the run. Me? I probably could do the walk...but run? Not on a bet even. LOL

Loved the photo share.

Thanks for stopping by today and leaving a happy anniversary wish for the two of us. That melted my heart.

Connie said...

Congratulations to Laura!
That is what Moms do - stand out in the cold and wind taking pictures, eh.

Cheri said...

So proud of her!!

Penny said...

WOW, that's great! Go, Laura!!!! She'd smoke me!

Sharon said...

Those were great shots of the run.
Congrats to your daughter and she sure does look like a runner.
Glad you got to be there even tho the weather was a little on the miserable side.
hugs

Brooke said...

a sub 60 minute 10K time is a great pace! :) congrats to her for a great race and i'm sure she loved having you there to cheer her on!

Pat said...

I'm so impressed...that's quite an accomplishment.
Three cheers for a race well run and a beautiful smile on her face!

Terri said...

Way to go Laura - I'm so proud of you!

Betty W said...

Wow! 10k in under an hour! That´s great!! Congrats to her!
Good for you, for braving the chilly weather.

Cherdecor said...

I think that is great!

Alice said...

Congratulations! I am doing my 10K run this June. :D

Kayren said...

Hasn't our weather been horrid. Buddy had his opening day of baseball on Saturday and it was windy with 40 mph gusts and 40 degrees.

Okay, so the running thing...run is a four letter word to me. I don't get it, but Laura did great. I married someone who likes to run. I still don't get it.

Brenda said...

Congratulations to your daughter. I admire those who have the ability and stamina to be a runner.
Every once in awhile when I'm out for my walk I feel like breaking into a run (well jog). That lasts for all of about 10 seconds until I realize it's not my cup of tea.

Joanne@ Blessed... said...

Congrats to Laura. That's so awesome. I've been AWFUL at exercising lately. I sure wish some of your daughter could rub off on me...

You're such a great mom Mari!

Crown of Beauty said...

I loved looking at these pictures, Mari. Grand Rapids is beautiful, with those buildings and green leafy trees.

Congratulations to Laura. She did quite well!

I'm visiting blogs today, and I'm so glad I stopped by your place today.

Love
Lidj

Anonymous said...

10K?! Wow good for her :)) I'm starting to get back into running again... it's hard when you're 100 pounds overweight, but it's STILL doable! I just tell myself "remember Paul's words" "Beat the air!" haha and I remember to "fartlek" and train myself to run AGAIN...