5K - M.I.A.
October 21, 2015
For the past 8 years, the Blue Ribbon Foundation has spent the fall promoting our annual Fairgrounds 5K race. Have you noticed the Fairgrounds 5K has been M.I.A. from the fall calendar? The Foundation is not holding our annual race this November because we had wonderful success moving the event to August!
Thank you to the participants, volunteers and sponsors for making the 9th annual Fairgrounds 5K, presented by West Bank, a success by raising $21,000 for the Blue Ribbon Foundation!
For the first time, the Fairgrounds 5K was held during the Iowa State Fair. On the morning of Saturday, August 22nd, Fairgoers raced down the Grand Concourse, through the hills of the Campgrounds and along Rock Island. The 353 participants experienced the Iowa State Fair like never before. Food vendors, campers and livestock were on full display along this one of a kind adventure.
The 5K race route was a challenge for runners making their way up the campground hills but volunteers stationed around the route did an excellent job cheering them on. It was a great way to start the day at the Fair while helping raise money for the Blue Ribbon Foundation.
Since the Fairgrounds 5K started in 2007, the event has raised $90,000 for improvements to the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
Although the Fairgrounds 5K wasn’t a new event, it still felt like a new challenge by having it during the Fair. Listed are my top 5 moments from this year’s Fairgrounds 5K:
5. Major Blue Ribbon Foundation staff bonding at 5 a.m.
4. Being amazed as the race winner ran the route a second time after he finished.
3. Offering a chance for Fair-loving families to try a new activity together.
2. Watching other Fairgoers cheer as the runners finished the race.
1. Raising a record $21,000 for future Fairgrounds renovations!
As we look to the future, the Foundation wants to continue improving the event. The best improvements come from participant feedback. If you participated in the race, please email me your comments or fill out this online survey.
