Run Fast, Slow Food

(I will try to get my blog up to date over the next few days. I still have to report back from Strides for Life and the Grand Island Trail Marathon). Be patient.

I do want everyone to know about this new event that I am excited about. In most cases the idea of a 5K run is not appealing to me. I prefer longer distances where pacing and endurance are more important than speed (which I don't have a whole lot of). But this event is exciting not only because I am helping to organize it but because it coincides with the first Homegrown Festival and benefits Slow Food Huron Valley an organization which promotes local food producers through education and public events.

The reason why I think this event excites me is that we can start our morning with a fun run through Bandemer and Argo Parks. Stick around afterwards for some local treats and a beverage. Hand out some great local prizes/awards and then head to Kerrytown for the Homegrown Festival and the Farmer's Market. Each participant will receive tickets which they can exchange for food items at the festival.

We are still working on getting donations for awards/prizes from local businesses. Our goal is to have a fun "green" event followed by a festival which gives us the opportunity to meet and talk with the folks who provide us with delicious local food items. I am really looking forward to this event. I really hope that all of you come out and participate in all the race and the festival.

Online registration and more details here: http://runfastslowfood.eventbrite.com/

Run Fast, Slow Food 5K Run/Walk

Kids, seniors, and everyone in between are encouraged to join us for the first Run Fast, Slow Food 5K Run/Walk on September 13, 2008 at 9am. This fun-filled event will promote local food producers and the restaurants and retailers that help bring local food to local eaters. The race will take participants through Bandemer and Argo Parks and will end with fun, unique-- and you guessed it! locally-produced refreshments and prizes.

This is a “green” event designed to minimize waste created during event promotion as well as during the event. We encourage participants to:

• Carry a water bottle, refillable at the start finish area
• Use your own mugs/containers for post race refreshments
• Bagasse cups will be available. These cups are made from sugar cane rather than paper and are 100% biodegradable
• We hope to learn from other “green” events as well as provide an example to other local races on ways to reduce or eliminate waste from our recreational activities. Suggestions welcomed!


Saturday September 13 @ 9:00 am
Bandemer Park
1352 Lakeshore Drive

Run Fast, Slow Food 5K Run/Walk (3.1 miles) takes participants through Bandemer and Argo Parks in Ann Arbor on dirt trails, boardwalk and bike path and crosses the dam near the Argo canoe livery. We encourage you to use the parking area off of the Main Street entrance to the park, which has ample parking and access to restrooms. You can also enter the park off of Barton Drive where it meets up with Whitmore Lake Rd. There will be signs guiding you to the race start, a short walk from either entrance.
Please be advised that our goals are FUN for volunteers and participants alike, to support local Slow Food, and to be kind to the environment. The course is not certified. We appreciate your support and understanding in making this event the beginning of a day filled with local foods and, local music.

Online registration: http://runfastslowfood.eventbrite.com/