Actually, it's not super new—it started last year, but it's still relatively new.
The cool thing about this three-race
series is it has the state-of-the-art technology of big races but the
friendliness of local events.
The second annual Honey Bun Run 5K and 10K, held Feb. 10, took runners through the streets in and around downtown Merced.
Traffic control was right on, with
more than 160 volunteers—mostly Buhach High School students and their
parents—directing runners and keeping cars off the course. Merced
police also patrolled the route.
The course itself was well marked with
cones delineating the route. Yellow safety tape also stretched across a
few intersections that possibly could have confused runners.
Timing involved chip timing using the
Chronotrack B-tag, the thin RFID tag on the back of the bib. Results
were posted promptly.
A person near the finish line announced runners on the PA system as they approached, just like in big races.
How did he do that? He'd call out the bib number to a computer operator next to him, who would read out the runner's name.
To show the small-town friendliness,
people cheered on the last few runners as they crossed the line. There
also were snacks, homemade breakfast burritos and an awards ceremony
for medal winners.
The Honey Bun Run was the first in the Merced Road Running Series.
The Livingston Feet for a Cure is April 14, followed by Storm the
Castle in Atwater a few months later. They all have both 5K and 10K
courses and benefit local groups.
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