The First Birdie Derby

Waiting for the start. 11/28/24 dwm

 Last year, the Berbee Derby staged its last Thanksgiving day community run, handing the reins to Tri 4 Schools' Grants 4 Schools which changed the name to Birdie Derby, in honor of the holiday.

 This year was a colder than normal day for late November with clouds, a slight breeze out of the north, and temperatures in the low 20s when I got into position with other 9 to 10-minute mile runners in the fourth wave.

 I had a good parking space, ten minutes from the start. 

 

It was difficult deciding what to wear. I wanted to be warm, not hot, during the run while needing to carry whatever I brought from the car. The car key fit into a zipped pocket, my phone went in a pants pocket, and I wore everything else. A t-shirt, sweatshirt, and long-sleeve t-shirt, tights under sweatpants, hat, and a scarf tied around the neck. 

 

Photos by Focal Flame Photography 11/28/2024

My timing was good. Less than ten minutes after joining the queue, the starting gun sounded for the first wave. Our group shuffled forward three times, then it was time for us to run. 

A mile in, I felt good about my pace and rhythm. The slight breeze was in our face for the first mile. When we turned right in the driveway of the Nevin Fish Hatchery, we had the wind behind us. 

 

The second mile marker stands on a hill,  the steepest climb of the route. It's a real character-builder. After the climb, we ran back down, then past Eagle Middle School.

 

I'm crossing the line at the far left.

 From there it's a gentle climb to the last turn where 10K runners joined those of us running half that distance for the finishing stretch. 

 

 I didn't do as well as I thought I did, expecting a time under 30 minutes. Instead my time was 30:27, good for 22nd out of 53 male runners between 60 and 64. 

 

 After crossing the finish line a hundred or more of us grabbed bottles of water off tables, then there were a
couple of backdrops for photos, then the treat tents with bright bananas, granola bars, Kwik Trip Glazer donuts, and TruMoo chocolate milk.

 

It's a new race with a new name but it kept the same feel and atmosphere of the Berbee Derby; I think this version will do well.

 

After the finish line. 11/28/24

Tri 4 Schools is the only Thanksgiving run in Madison that puts 100% of its proceeds into the community. 

 

The organization gives money to schools and community centers in Dane County (where Madison is located) to help the education experience and improve students' well-being. 

 

Post race, I headed to the car while eating the donut and drinking the water. I took care of the milk and a Twix bar after getting home to continue my rest and recovery before Thanksgiving dinner.