Revolutionary Run 5-Miler - Run5 Mile

The start was ridiculous. This road isn't meant for 1000 people(very narrow) and every then of course over seeded themselves and crowed the front. I had staked out a spot while everyone was stretching, then everyone crowds the front and I'm way too far back. Had to work my way to the side and do some running on the side (muddy and rutted but clear) then merged and tried to minimize my weaving. Spread out as we approached the first mile marker. First mile was about 7:35 (gun time). Settled in and worked the hills in the second mile and hit mile 2 at 15:04. Next mile was the last big hill and rest was rolling. I started rolling along and felt OK. Water stop at about 2.5 miles, water went down the wrong tube, so I hacked up a lung till it was clear. Took a little while to get back in the groove. Mile 3 was 22:28 so slowly picking it up. 4th mile had a couple short quick hitter hills (steep) coming up to the 29 parking lot and the down and up along 29. Rest was a gradual climb past Washington Chapel. Started feeling good and worked this section. Hit mile 4 at 29:54. Last mile was fun. Finished off the gradual grade a bit and started pushing the tempo and to the downhill. Got a few comments about the Joe Satriani shirt and that I'd been saving it for the end (Not untrue) Rolled down the hill then turned for down the visitor center road, lost about 5-6 spots as a bunch of folks sprant for home (most of who I had just past in the last 1/2 mile. Finshed had alot left. Considered going around a second time, but glad I didn't (since I would have missed a cool thing when I got home)

Start further forward, could have worked the first 2 miles harder and saved energy weaving in and out of traffic. Other than that it was a fun time. I get a chance to run this loop occassionally during lunch at work. Great place to run, but it isn't quite the right setting to have 1000 people.

Walked up the hill after getting water and Bagel and an energy bar. Walked to the bus and then to the car and went home. Back by 10:00. Found Adrian trying to teach Matthew to ride his bike without training wheels. I got Matthew to put his helmet on, and then spent the next 30 minute running sprints back and forth, balencing, encouraging, pushing, and finally just watching as Matthew finally got over being scared and started riding. Adrian had just refused to keep the training wheels on and all just started riding without anyones help, but Matthew was a bit more stubborn. That was the highlight of my day!!!


Low priority race, too much traffic early on (need a wider stretch for the start. I think they should make it a full loop and start at the visitor road (Much wider) and take 29 up to the entrance up to log city, by then the field would be nicely spread out and would have less of a bottleneck


The level of participation for a 2nd year event is amazing. Announce at 1200 signed up for the run, another 400 or so signed up for the 3 mile walk and alot of kids for the 1 mile kids run. Parking and shuttling service was great and managed the flow of traffic great, easy in and out. Valley Forge is a great place to run and bike and this event supports the park and trail system.