Review of the Pretty in Pink 5K

In October We Race in Pink

Some of my favorite races raise money in support of a cause. It's pretty obvious if you look at my schedule. My next 5 races are for rescue pups, K9 officers, a nature preserve, a charter school,  Make a Wish, and mental health and the homeless.

Each year when October rolls around there are plenty of walks and runs in support of breast cancer research. This year I picked a race I'd never run before. I'm so glad I did. Sunday morning I ran in pink with a bunch of other people in the Pretty in Pink 5K put on by Premier Racing Institute.

​It was my first race with this organization. Even better, it was my first time on the Ream Wilson Trail in Clearwater. This trail is awesome. Lots of BIG shade trees. I'll be back to workout on the overpass bridges. Del Oro Park (start/finish line) has basketball and tennis courts and a shady playground.

Lots o'pink today. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Lining up for the start. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Check out the shade in this park! The trail is made for running and biking. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Pretty in Pink Shirts and Bibs

The race shirt made me unexpectedly happy. There are caricatures of Duckie and Andie from the 1986 movie Pretty in Pink on it. Past images from the race included a Pink Panther figure. Maybe they do a movie theme each year, I'm not sure. I'm just glad I scored this shirt. It's a clean, fun graphic. Kudos to the designer. The matching bibs were well done, too.

I love the graphics on the shirt and bib. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Why I Enjoyed This Race

Pretty in Pink 5K race course. The 10K was this course x2. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

I think it's good to run every kind of race. You find new routes to run. You discover parks and towns to revisit. You see that every race is different. 

Sunday's race was perfect to me.  The temps were down a bit. It was a small race. The trail was scenic, challenging, and shady. I found perfect pacers (unofficial) and stuck with them the whole race. The rolling hills were fun. The overpass was a hill. 

​Post race festivities included bananas, donuts, and beverages in a pavilion. There was a raffle and prizes for the pinkest outfits.

I don't know who won what because I immediately grabbed a water and headed back out on the trail. I wanted to see what else it had to offer.

I found more hills, gorgeous old oak trees, bikers, and dog walkers. The trail winds through parks with tennis courts and disc golf. There are bridges and ponds. There are trails in the shade. It has some elevation. You can run 5-10-15 mile routes on the trail from here.

I walked another 50 minutes on the trails after my race. I saw runners finishing the 10K, bikers zipping down hills, and softball players competing. By the time I returned to the finish line everyone was leaving.

Pretty in Pink Race Details

• Runners could choose a 5K or 10K distance for this race
• Packet pickup on Saturday afternoon or race morning
• The event started on time. 7:30 am sunrise and start time
• The route was scenic and well marked. I don't think anyone took a wrong turn 
• I believe there were two water stops
• Race results posted immediately in the pavilion area. Online later in the day
• Water at the finish line. Soft drinks, bananas, and donuts in the pavilion
• No finisher medal, but fun race shirt and bib
• Awards for Overall Male and Female, Overall Masters Male and Female
• Age Group Awards 3 Deep
• Free parking nearby
• ​Race proceeds to benefit breast cancer research
• One of five races staged by Premier Racing Institute

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Scene on a Run: I saw a couple of very cool bike repair kits along the Ream Wilson Trail. The permanent stations have tire pumps and tools for bike repairs. 

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