Since the Derby race is a United States Track and Field sanctioned course and a Boston Marathon qualifying event, elite runners would benefit from the Bluegrass race as a preparatory for the main event. These races are community events and everyone is welcome to participate. There are minicourses for the kids, volunteering opportunities for students, and anyone can come out to cheer on the participants and spectate. Participants range from elementary school age to seniors in their nineties. Some walk, many jog or run, but each has their own unique motivation. You will see shirts where soldiers are running in honor of their brethren, those running for a lost loved one, those running to celebrate a birthday or anniversary, nervous first timers, and even some marking their 100th race. Unlike other sports, running is usually about being your personal best and encouraging others. Sure, there are a few in the very front hoping to break a world record or win but most are just enjoying themselves and cheering along the way. Life is full of so many small victories and finishing a race one of them. It is a wonderful feeling to get up early in the morning after months of training and suit up with thousands of others to push yourself towards a common goal.
be there. So if you haven’t already joined in the Derby race fun, I encourage you to set a goal for next year, even if it means just coming down and cheering. I guarantee you will be glad you did.
The excitement and energy on race day is palpable. I can remember tearing up several times with joy while running races, not for any particular reason except that I just felt grateful for being able to
These races bring out the best in us, not just because we are getting healthy and helping others but because we are doing it together. Happy Derby Louisville! • • • • • • • •
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