Tag Archives: 5k

Mom and Teen Share First of Many Running Experiences

I’ve had the pleasure of hearing from so many parents and children about their running relationships over the past month, it seemed fitting to end the series with a beginning. A story of a first experience that will inevitably lead to so much more. Hearing from Ria and her teenage daughter Anna was a wonderful way to close out this series that’s so near and dear to my heart.

When a touching picture of Ria Farmer and her 15-year-old daughter Anna running a race together was spotted on Facebook, I was excited to ask her about their running relationship. Assuming this was a common occurrence for this mother and daughter, I was surprised to learn that the photogenic moment was a first for the women.

“Last weekend was our first race that we ran together,” said Ria, of the Ballet Wichita 5k Art Run.

Ria explained how having her daughter at her side during the race was a fantastic addition to the experience. (more…)

Posted on August 7, 2023 by Lacy

Born Runners, This Father and Son Team Seal Their Bond Between Finish Lines

Many runners will drop the phrase “born to run” when describing their love of the sport. However, it seems that some people were truly made more specifically for that purpose. When a little boy starts giving up morning cartoons at age 5 to go run with his daddy, it seems arguable that maybe he really was born with it.

Jeremiah Herrman and his son Brayden have shared the love of running for most of Brayden’s young life. Brayden is 7 and has had a hefty running career already. Jeremiah is a runner and triathlete and explained how Brayden began his love of running by simply attending races to watch his dad. Afterward he’d imitate dad at home.

“He showed interest by playing at home like a runner. ‘Watch me dad, see how fast I am?!’ We encouraged him. ‘Yes B, you’re so fast! Show us again!’ He would zoom across the yard with his little uncoordinated legs pumping as fast as possible,” said Herrman.

Brayden participated in small tot races beginning at the age of three. These short runs weren’t enough to satisfy the little runner building on the inside though. “By five, I would come home from a long training run to find him waiting for me at the door in his running garb, and we would run a half to full mile cool down together,” said Herrman. (more…)

Posted on July 24, 2023 by Lacy

The Glow Run 5K Will Light up the Plains this Summer

A new vibe is taking place in the running world. If you haven’t yet noticed, running is getting more colorful, even a little dirtier. Mud runs, obstacle runs, color runs, and now the latest, a glow run, are changing the landscape of foot races. The first series of Glow Run 5Ks are set to take place this summer in the heart of the plains.

Steve Blew is the race director for the Glow Run 5K. He refers to these races as his “baby.” Currently the Glow Run is scheduled to take place in three locations, Kansas City, Wichita, and Omaha. The races take place at night and are being billed as a one-of-a-kind experience. The course is described as an event that will light up the night with things like a sixty foot black light tunnel, laser light shows, and runners who are encouraged to wear as many glow items as they can handle.

Sounds fun, and totally different. Blew explained how he crafted this idea. He referred to many of his friends being into the new trend of Day Glow parties, parties where only black lights are used and glowing paint is splashed all around while a DJ keeps everyone dancing. Apparently the parties become one giant glowing mob. So honestly put, Blew gave his friends the credit for inspiring him.

“The idea came from a group of my freaky friends who are into glow parties.” (more…)

Posted on May 23, 2023 by Lacy

Warrior Dash’s Extreme 5K to Top One Million Racers in 2024

Apparently people like to get muddy. Well, they like to get muddy if they get a medal for it, at least. Adventure racing has exploded in the past few years. People are rising from the couch and willing to get in their cardio more than ever. The Warrior Dash is one of the fastest growing adventure race events in the world.

The Warrior Dash is an extreme 5K race with obstacles. The first event took place in July 2024 in Joliet, IL. Those first 2,000 participants took on the first ever obstacle laden race course and spread the word. That word spread like wildfire! In 2024, more than 33 Warrior Dashes took place across the globe with more than 700,000 participants. This year the organization anticipates hosting 65 worldwide events and welcoming more than 1,000,000 racers.

So what is the draw? What are the people coming to the events for? Each event is a 5K course with at least 12 obstacles along the way. Each event has different obstacles, but some of the favorites include jumping over fire, crawling through mud with barbed wire, navigating the capsized catamaran, or making it through a scrap yard of rusted wreckage. New Warrior Dash obstacles are created all the time to ensure no single event is like the other. (more…)

Posted on April 29, 2023 by Lacy

The Roots Playlist for Jimmy Fallon’s 5K

Yesterday Jimmy Fallon more or less announced he’s going to take on a 5K. We love this news! For new runners, it’s an excellent goal to set for yourself. Those 3.1 miles aren’t extreme and are completely manageable. He’s doing it the right way and seeking out a little training guidance. He asked Twitter which app he should use and the unanimous vote was for Couch to 5K, our choice, too.

Jimmy already tweeted that he might give up. We think that’s nonsense. So, to keep him motivated, we’ve come up with a The Roots playlist. He might be able to slow jam his way through the news, but he’s going to need some bumping beats to carry him through a 5K.

The best runners have a little support from their friends, and what better support than music from your very own house band?

Jimmy, load up your iPod with these songs* from The Roots: (more…)

Posted on April 27, 2023 by Natalie K

Jimmy Fallon to Take on Couch to 5K

Most people get up and run first thing in the morning. Comedian Jimmy Fallon tweeted about it. The first tweet from his @JimmyFallon account this morning was asking his more than 5.3 million followers which app he could use to start running a 5K.

“Any good ‘learn to run a 5k’ apps out there that you guys like? Theres a bunch, but which one is good?”

It sounds like the late night talk show host wants get up from behind the desk and move a bit more. Maybe the visit from President Obama, aka the Preezy of the United Steezy, inspired him to go after the PALA, the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award. He has already worked out with Michelle Obama. Or maybe he’s setting us up for an awesome bit on the show. We tweeted out a request to find out what his motivation is, but haven’t yet heard back.

App suggestions of course poured in, as did one message to skip the app altogether. @FatTonysMacbook suggested, “You could always just…run,” to which Fallon replied, “nah… too easy.”

Nothing worth having ever came easy, Jimmy! (more…)

Posted on April 26, 2023 by Natalie K

The Color Run is the Happiest 5K on the Planet

One of the most popular excuses given for not exercising is that “it’s boring.” While that statement has been debatable all along, it’s being eradicated recently. With adventure events popping up all across the globe, “boring” and “exercise” will never be in the same sentence again. The Color Run is a prime example of how people are adding a little color to their exercise routine, literally.

The Color Run is a booming event that is truly like no other. The event is simply stated in its name, a run with color. The run is on a three mile course designed for all abilities, shapes, and sizes, making it perfect for someone’s first 5K race. Participants are only instructed to do a few things: Line up at the start with a white shirt and plan to be doused in color by the finish.

The Color Run puts little emphasis on completing the course fast (the race is not timed) and a high priority in being the most saturated with color at the end. The race is sectioned off into color zones every kilometer. At each station runners and walkers are hit with a natural and safe color dust (they say it’s edible but very high in calories). The 1k color zone is yellow, the 2k is blue, 3k is green, 4k is pink, and the 5k finish is a “color extravaganza.” (more…)

Posted on April 26, 2023 by Lacy

What to Eat When Training for a 5K

By Jennipher Walters for FitBottomedGirls.com

Signing up for a triathlon or training for a 5K or other endurance event doesn’t just take time working out—it also takes time eating and planning a diet that is perfect for your exercise routine! We recently got some tips from Elisa Zied, registered dietitian, author, and founder and president of Zied Health Communications on how to improve your running and walking performance with the right tasty eats! After all, runners and walkers use more carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals than couch potatoes.

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Posted on September 29, 2023 by GuestBlogger

Sign Up Now for September 2024 Marathons

September is one of the best months to schedule a marathon because of its decent yet cooler weather and the hustle and bustle of summer begins to finally wind down. Check below to find a marathon location near you. Good luck and train hard!

September 2024 Marathons:

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Posted on June 6, 2023 by Matt

Top Marathons In May 2024

I know it seems like along way off, but if you have never run a marathon, or even a half, you want to sign up for one a few months in advance to give yourself enough time to train. May is a great month to schedule a marathon due to the normally nice Spring weather, which is perfect for first time runners. Below is a list of the top marathons in May around the country.

  • Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon: Held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on Sunday May 1, 2024, this marathon, half marathon, marathon relay, and 5k walk is one not to be missed if you are located in or around the Midwest. Registration dues for the marathon are $90.
  • OC Marathon: This race is held in Newport Beach, California on Sunday May 1, 2024. The marathon is scheduled to start at 6 A.M. and the course travels through the beautiful coastal communities.

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Posted on January 15, 2024 by Matt

Atlanta Marathon Health and Fitness Expo is Coming Soon

The Atlanta Half Marathon Health and Fitness Expo is right around the corner and is definitely one that you can not afford to miss. The expo will be held at the InterContinental Hotel, Buckhead on Tuesday, November 23rd and Wednesday, November 24th. The expo hours will be 11 A.M. to 8 P.M. both days and is open to the general public.

There will be a lot of different vendors offering a wide variety of health and fitness information, as well as tons of free samples. Runners can also pick up race t-shirts and numbers during expo hours. (more…)

Posted on November 11, 2023 by Matt