Ajax Snowflake 10k

Date:  Sunday, December 19/10

Location:  Ajax Rotary Park

Race Limit:  150 participants

I decided to do this race at the last minute, because my friend was looking for someone to run the race with.  Since it was only $10 & the donation of a toy to the Salvation Army, I figured it was well worth the cause.  We had already logged 50k that week, before the race, so I wondered how my legs would hold up.

 With the race starting at 9:00, there really was no rush to get there.  We got there about 8:30, & went inside to get our bibs.  I don’t think they really check to see if you are signed up, they just gave us our bibs, & asked us to fill out the bottom for the draw prizes.  It was nice to have indoor washrooms to use while we waited for the start.  By the time we got into the line, it didn’t seem to move & we had to run from the bathroom to the start line.

We started a little way back & I started my watch before I got to the start, because there was a little bit of ice & I didn’t want to slip before I got going.  Our goal was to run 52 minutes.  Everyone seemed to start out pretty quickly.  I was surprised how fast people were running.  I could see Derek Virgo way out in front right from the start.  It is a beautiful course along the waterfront.  We thought that it would be flat, but there were rolling hills out & back.  The volunteers were great at the corners letting everyone know where they needed to go.  They had course markings at 3k & 7k.  The 7k was really 8k, but we didn’t realize the  first time around the course.  It was a 5k loop, that we did twice.  My friend chatted to me the whole race, while I huffed & puffed.  She pointed out the swans in the lake & told me to watch for the ice patches.  She kept telling me that we were right on schedule, so we kept running passing people as we went.  We realized when we hit the 7k sign that it was actually 8k, & again she said, no doubt we would make my time.  As we went up the last hill, & were coming down the other side, she said we needed to hurry to make it on the clock.  We crossed at 52:02 on the clock, & 51:55 on my watch.

It was good that they limited the race to 150 participants, because quite a few people were walking.  Since it was out & back on a paved path, it did get a bit congested passing people.  There was one water station at 5k, which I definitely needed.

 After the race, we warmed up inside with vegetarian chili, with buns, & hot chocolate or coffee.  They were having draw prizes, but we decided not to stay for it.  There were still many of the walkers out on the course, & we felt that they would be more thrilled to get the prizes.

I believe they gave out medals for the first 3 finishers.

There were no timing chips, so no official results.  But for the price, the race is well worth it & one I would recommend for next year.