Running Festival set for Mason District Park
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| Participants in the 2016 Mason District Running Festival. [Bernard Pesjak] |
Experienced runners, novice runners, and anyone interested in
getting some outdoor exercise are encouraged to participate in the Mason District Running Festival Sept. 23, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on the trails in Mason
District Park.
getting some outdoor exercise are encouraged to participate in the Mason District Running Festival Sept. 23, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on the trails in Mason
District Park.
There will be multiple events during the day, including a six-hour
run, a 5K, 10K, fun run for kids, and other runs, says organizer Bernard
Pesjak, a Pinecrest resident and long-distance runner who has completed 50 and
100-mile marathons.
run, a 5K, 10K, fun run for kids, and other runs, says organizer Bernard
Pesjak, a Pinecrest resident and long-distance runner who has completed 50 and
100-mile marathons.
Pesjak enjoys running in nature, so he came up with the idea
of holding a running festival last year to encourage nearby residents to
run in Mason District Park. The 2017 event will be bigger and
better, with a redesigned schedule and courses.
There are several unique aspects to the Mason District
Running Festival: All the races are free, so everyone, including families, can participate without busting their budget. “I’m bringing
this festival as a gift to the people,” Pesjak says.
Running Festival: All the races are free, so everyone, including families, can participate without busting their budget. “I’m bringing
this festival as a gift to the people,” Pesjak says.
To cut costs, there won’t be official timing. Instead, volunteers
will record runners’ times with a pencil and paper. “We want to eliminate the
competitive feeling,” he says. “A second or two up or down doesn’t matter.”
will record runners’ times with a pencil and paper. “We want to eliminate the
competitive feeling,” he says. “A second or two up or down doesn’t matter.”
Besides, there won’t be prizes for the fastest runners.
Instead, every runner will be entered into a raffle for prizes, such as gift
cards and gift basket from local businesses. Runners will get a raffle ticket
for every mile run.
Instead, every runner will be entered into a raffle for prizes, such as gift
cards and gift basket from local businesses. Runners will get a raffle ticket
for every mile run.
“This is a low-key, fun event. The main idea is to go out,
have fun, and enjoy nature,” says Pesjak, the founder of Get Up and Go Coaching.
have fun, and enjoy nature,” says Pesjak, the founder of Get Up and Go Coaching.
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| The 2016 Mason District Running Festival. [Bernard Pesjak] |
The start and finish line will be at the field near the
upper parking lot. Pesjak designed the courses so runners never go in the same
direction twice in any part of the trail.
upper parking lot. Pesjak designed the courses so runners never go in the same
direction twice in any part of the trail.
The 5K (at 9 a.m.) will be a little more demanding than last
year with more hills. The half-mile kids’ fun run (10 a.m.), for anyone old
enough to walk up to age 9, will be mostly flat.
year with more hills. The half-mile kids’ fun run (10 a.m.), for anyone old
enough to walk up to age 9, will be mostly flat.
There will be Race Directors’ Special at noon that’s just under
two miles and covers every trail in the park. Runners can also combine that
race with a second 5K.
two miles and covers every trail in the park. Runners can also combine that
race with a second 5K.
The six-hour run (8 a.m.), the toughest to map out, covers
30 miles in a small space but offers a diverse course.
30 miles in a small space but offers a diverse course.
Although there are no fees, participants are encouraged to
register online for planning purposes.
register online for planning purposes.
Anyone interested in being a sponsor, donating prizes, or
joining one of Pesjak’s group runs in Mason District Park should contact him at
[email protected].
joining one of Pesjak’s group runs in Mason District Park should contact him at
[email protected].
