Low 30s. Just enough snow covering the trail. Plenty o’ wind. Today’s Farmland 5K had all the makings of a perfect December race. And to top it all off, I saw so many  wonderful runner friends–friends I’ve known for a long time and new friends I’ve met through this site, including Kristy, one of the winners of my Farmland race entry giveaway. Thank you, Kristy, for introducing yourself after the race while we waited for a bowl of hot chili. So good to meet you in real life!

The other awesome part of the day: having a photographer from Runner’s World there to capture race moments. This past week I snagged my first assignment with Runner’s World, a Races + Places feature that’ll run in 2013. Brian, the photographer, was there to take pictures that’ll accompany the article. He took some great pictures of my family as well as of others running and enjoying the fantastic pre- and post-race music, bonfires and local food.

Since I’ll be writing a piece about this race for Runner’s World, this post is less of a race re-cap and more of a quick review with photos…I’ll definitely let you all know when this piece comes out in the magazine. I have a feeling it will continue to grow in popularity (Race Director Lisa Taylor had hoped for a couple hundred runners and ended up having more than 300 sign on). Congratulations to all runners who braved the elements and the challenging course. I’m definitely thinking this one will become a family tradition.

I ran with Joe and Andrew (who proudly announced midway through the run, “This is my third 5K, Mom!”) while Emma and Andrew cheered us on and snapped pictures.

Emma and Alex took some pictures on the playground near the race course while waiting for us to come by.

Here we are coming into the finish area. Bonfires, and hot chili, corn chowder and hot chocolate, were waiting for us.

Lisa, donning a farmer’s hat, announced race winners and handed out awards.

Happy runners.

How’d did everyone else like this new race?

Anyone else sign on for the 2013 Bayshore races? Online registration opened this morning at 8 a.m. The Half filled in record-time–less than two hours is what I heard! Me? I signed on…for the full marathon. Looking forward to my next 26.2!