This was a really fun race. It was hosted by the Carolina Panthers and it started (and finished) right in front of their stadium in uptown Charlotte.
Michael was pretty confident that he was going to beat the family PR of 20:30, currently held by me. Michael's PR was 20:34, so I thought this was a perfect goal for him, and really hoped he would do it.
Michael before the race.
Alicia with the Carolina Panthers cheerleaders.
Alicia with the Panthers' mascot.
The temperature was in the mid 70's and the humidity was 97%. So the conditions were far from ideal. That makes a huge difference when you're trying to PR. Michael gave it his all and came up 1 second short of a PR and 5 seconds short of the family record. I wouldn't be surprised if my record only lasts another two weeks when Michael has another 5k.
A couple of side notes about this race:
It is the largest age division Michael has taken 1st place in. There were 33 runners 14 & Under, and he beat them all at eleven years old!
There was a 79 year old that had a finishing time of 23:20, which is a pace of 7:31!
Michael right before the finish.
Thought this was pretty cool, he ended up taking 2nd place (Michael took 1st)
Michael accepts his award and gets his picture taken.
