Word on the Street: Pandemic

Lined up at the starting line behind
the Verona Library. 4/26/20 (rkm)

We are doing a lot of virtual things these days - meetings, visits, shopping... why not racing?

Since we moved to Verona, I've run in the Word on the Street 5 K for the Verona Public Library..  The 2020 event is scheduled for tomorrow, or it was scheduled for tomorrow.

Because of the Coronavirus - the race for a couple hundred runners turned into a virtual race completed by the registered on their own time.

1 mile into the run.
4/26/2020 (rkm photo)

Because it's a library event - words and the words that make up books are celebrated.  This year's word is Pandemic.  By next year, there will be books about Pandemic - Covid 19, I'm sure.

Six weeks ago I received an email from the Library offering a refund or the opportunity to do the run solo.  It meant I'd get a t-shirt and accompanying swag at some appropriate time and the library could put the money raised by sponsors and runners to good use.

Approaching the Fire
Station. 4/26/20 (rkm)

The course through Verona hasn't changed - it's mostly flat until the runner is less than a mile from the finish.

At that point there's a steady rise as the run matches a section of the Ice Age trail which marks the southern edge of a glacier that covered much of what is now Wisconsin.

It isn't steep, but it goes on quite a while until the peak and then a long downhill to the finish.

Almost finished.
4/26/20 (rkm)

Most years there are a dozen or so runners climbing and descending at this point of the run.

This year I was the only one heading to the finish line; which never happens.

Because it was a virtual run there were no prizes; no official timekeeper; and no finish line.

I have different things to remember the 2020 race - a beautiful day; blessed with good health when that can't be assumed; and fun 29 minutes meandering through our hometown.