Before You Feast, Why Not 5K?

5/5 - (1 vote)

September 2019

Registration is underway for the Zionsville Five and Dime 5K and 10K run/walk that will take place on its new date, Saturday, November 23, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. in downtown Zionsville.

Throughout the duration of the run/walk, Main Street will not be closed. The scenic 10K and 5K course through Zionsville will start and finish in front of the Lions Park Clubhouse. The 5K loop runs through the village of Zionsville on the roads around the golf course, through Lions Park and Creekside nature park, then back to the start/finish area. The 10K runners will complete a second loop after running through the split mat.

Mike Cole, founder of Run 2 Race, is a Zionsville resident and has been directing and promoting running races in and around the area, including the Zionsville Half Marathon and Big Boom 4th of July 5K. Cole collaborates with local businesses and running teams to host first-class events. He has been a competitive runner for more than 25 years and ran track and cross-country at Ball State University. He is also a personal coach with high school and college-level coaching experience. Cole also coaches athletes of all ages, from the beginning youth level to Olympic Trial hopefuls.

Cole sat down with us and shared his passion for directing races in his hometown and the growing popularity of his races in Zionsville.

“I grew up around running, and as a lifelong runner, I feel it’s important to put on races, coach or do something that keeps people interested in the running community,” Cole said. “Without anybody putting on races, there won’t be any.”

Cole shared that his signature race has successfully drawn participants from out of state and from all over the state with the launch of the Zionsville Half Marathon.

“When I started [putting on these races], there weren’t a lot of races, and many of the ones that came here were sporadic,” Cole said. “I wanted to create a signature race with the Zionsville Half, and I think we’re establishing that. As a town, we are becoming known in the running community as a running-friendly town.”

Taking advantage of the new date of the Five and Dime race, Cole is collaborating with several of the downtown businesses who will be offering 10% discounts for the run/walk participants the day of the event. A list of participating restaurants will be posted on the Run 2 Race website.

“After the run/walk, everybody will get pizza, as they do after all my races,” Cole said. “We typically have cookies and bananas as well. We will have medals, and then I usually put together a really nice prize package for the top winners. Medals will be awarded to all finishers in both races for both overall and age group awards.”

Online registration usually cuts off three days prior to race day. Participants can register the day of and are able to pick up and/or fill out registration forms at Greek’s Pizzeria in downtown Zionsville.

Cole encouraged everyone to come out and enjoy the walk/run, as well as shopping and dining local afterward.

“This will be the perfect time to come out and dine at one of the restaurants and start your holiday shopping and season early,” Cole said. “Each runner will be given a card to shop and eat at participating businesses for a discounted rate for the weekend.”

Zionsville Monthly is proud to be the media sponsor for this great event in downtown Zionsville.

Writer:

Janelle Morrison

Photography:

Courtesy of Run 2 Race