Friday, March 28, 2014

Tiger Trot 5K - Race Entry Giveaway!

When it comes to 5K races, I love small town events. Maybe it's because I grew up in a small community, but there is such a cozy feeling about running amongst friends... and groups of kids darting around the course to cheer you on. It's pure fun without all the whoopla of big city races.  No parking concerns, no crowds, no fuss... just run. Oh, and my standing 5k PR is from one of those itty bitty small town races.

The Tiger Trot 5K is one of those small-town races that I highly recommend. Last year, my husband and I switched roles for a day... he ran the race and I cheered with the kids.  The chip-timed race course starts at Marquette Elementary School, circles the small town, and ends in pretty Independence Park. Once all the 5K racers finish, there is a short children's race, free for the little ones. Last year, they even got a finisher's ribbon!

After the race, participants gather in the school cafeteria for food, drinks, door prizes, and award age-group awards - 1st, 2nd and 3rd overall, plus 1st & 2nd in each 5-yr age group.  That's a lot of awards for a small race... which means you have a greater chance to winning something, if you're on that cusp like me.

Instead of the average 5k cotten tee, the Tiger Trot boosts a tech-style run shirt as part of your registration. If you are a member of the local running club in Peoria, this is also an Illinois Valley Striders Grand Prix Series Race.

Proceeds from the Tiger Trot 5K benefit the three local schools - Marquette Elementary, Rogers Elementary and Georgetown Middle School. I can't think of a better way to raise much-needed funds for our schools... while encouraging our children to take up a healthy activity like running (versus video game playing).  Personally, I get so tired of the kids coming home with popcorn and junk catalog sales.

What's better than a family race outing on a beautiful spring morning?!  We had such a wonderful time last year. I hope you can join in for the 2014 race on Saturday, April 26.  Register here before April 12 for the early bird pricing ($25). There is also a spaghetti dinner the evening before at packet pickup, that helps the local Cub Scout pack... 5-7pm at the Real Life Church.

Find the Tiger Trot on Facebook here.

•  •  RACE ENTRY GIVEAWAY  • • 
A good friend is the race director for the Tiger Trot 5K and has graciously offered me a race entry to giveaway to one of my readers!  It's so easy to enter...
  • Comment* below - With so many 5K races these days, how do you determine which one you run? What is the determining factor?
  • Share this post on Facebook and/or Twitter to spread the word about this great race! Include hashtag #TigerTrot
Good Luck! Winner will be announced Monday, April 7, 2014.
THE WINNER IS .... LAUREN SIEMERS!


* To enter by making a comment below, you need an online profile. To do so quickly, select the OpenID option in the "Comment As" dropdown. Enter the web address to your Facebook profile... www.fb.com/yourname

11 comments:

  1. I pick by estimating the quality of the after race snacks!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good Question. I like when they have cool shirts. Im over the tech shirts though. I have too many of those and they never seem to fit right. I like soft cotton shirts or maybe something different, like a hat? Also, the course should be interesting and somewhat fast. I don't really care about rewards or food.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I pick by what time of year they fall into. I am not a Summer runner so I usually like and pick the Fall time 5k. I am also a bling girl so I go for the cool bling or who gives bling.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love the bling, but I also like to support my fav causes.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I look for a great cause, a cheap registration fee, cool bling (unlike anything I have or have seen), and awesome swag I know I'll use (like hats or headbands).

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm a sahm, so budget is tight. I look at fees and where the money goes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No share feature on mobile site, put up on twitter. :)

      Delete
  7. I like the bling and affordable fees are a must!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I like the bling and affordable fees are a must!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm slow and I want to win an age group award so I try to pick smaller races where I stand a chance. So far no luck. Sarah Blissett

    ReplyDelete
  10. Definitely the bling and if it is an event I can run with my Sole Sisters or my daughters to make it more fun.

    ReplyDelete

I appreciate your feedback and comments!