RUNNING START: 5K passport series to add cycling, new courses for 2020

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Runners depart on the Turkey Day 5K run. The event on Thanksgiving last year attracted nearly 400 participants.  Photo submitted

By Shelley Swift | Daily Reporter

GREENFIELD — When Crystal Robinson was looking for a fun way to get in shape and lose weight last year, she thought she’d register for a 5K.

Then she thought, “If doing one 5K is good, doing several must be better, right?”

So the Greenfield woman signed up for last year’s inaugural Passport to Hancock County 5K Run/Walk Series, which challenged participants to complete at least eight local 5K events throughout the year.

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Finishers receive a medal when completing the challenge, which was the carrot that kept Robinson running in events throughout the county all year long.

Robinson was the first to complete the series and claim her prize, after completing the Love Runs Deep 5K put on by Love INC on Sept. 14.

“I had a really positive experience. The races were organized well and the staff was very helpful,” said Robinson, who has been doing a combination of running and walking for the past few years.

She completed her first-ever 5K in 2018, when she crossed the finished line at the New Pal Summer Fest 5K that June.

While a dozen people completed the first year’s series, it seemed to have motivated countless others to get moving and participate in events throughout the year.

“I believe most organizations (hosting featured 5Ks) saw an increase in actual event participation,” said Retta Livengood, president of the Greater Greenfield Chamber of Commerce, which oversees the passport collaboration of local race organizers.

The group received a $6,000 grant from the Hancock County Tourism Commission last year, which was used to purchase passports, posters, T-shirts and medals, as well as newspaper ads, social media marketing and a website to promote the program.

This year, the team is adding new races, including biking events, and updating the series name to the Passport to Hancock County Run/Walk/Roll Series.

Soon, the public can go online to purchase the 2020 passport at the new website that’s now under construction. Updates will also be posted on the series’ Facebook page.

There will likely be 14 to 17 race events on this year’s list, said Livengood. Participants can pick and choose which seven they want to do to complete the series and receive their medal, which is one fewer event than last year’s requirement.

As organizers work to finalize plans for this year’s lineup, Robinson said she’s more than ready for the new race year to start. She’s already signed up for the Cumberland Express 5K, which takes place March 21.

Robinson encourages others to give the year-long, countywide challenge a try, regardless if you’re a fitness buff or current couch potato.

“If a person is looking for a safe, non-judgmental environment to get in shape or compete in smaller-scale events, this is the way to go,” she said.

She appreciates the chance to do multiple 5K events close to home, rather than driving to Indianapolis or elsewhere for more crowded races.

“I have participated in larger 5k events, and you get lost in the crowd, whereas the local events are smaller in numbers,” said Robinson, who doesn’t participate to race against others to but improve her completion times.

She also loves the fact that local 5K registration fees benefit local charities and organizations in Hancock County.

“I was able to give back to the community, and the finisher medals and T-shirts were a nice addition as well,” she said.

The Hancock County Run/Walk Series was formed in 2018 as the result of discussions among local 5K organizers throughout the county.

The Greenfield chamber is providing the meeting space and handling the finances for the group of race organizers.

Livengood loves to see the spirit of collaboration among committee members, who work together to spread the word on the many race events in Hancock County. Joining forces with them plays into the chamber’s vision to “partner for prosperity,” she said. “It has been great seeing this many organizations in our county come together to help promote each other’s events.”

The fact there are so many different 5K events spread out throughout the year is a great asset for the county, said Livengood. “I was never aware there were so many local events before this group formed,” she said.

Livengood loves the unique nature of the run/walk/roll series. She’s never heard of a 5K collaboration like it anywhere else.

Mikel Theobald, co-chair of Hancock4Kids, said joining the countywide 5K program was a no-brainer for her nonprofit, which is host to the annual Superhero 5K in downtown Greenfield the day before Father’s Day each year.

“Hancock4Kids draws strength through partnerships in our community. Joining the passport program was a natural connection for us,” she said.

The partnership is a win-win for local race organizers, Theobald said. “Not only can race enthusiasts learn about local events through the focused advertising of the passport, but through committee meetings race organizers are able to learn from each other about what works well and areas where improvements can be made.”

The town of Cumberland hosts two events in the countywide lineup — the Cumberland Express 5K Run/Walk/Roll in March, benefiting the Cumberland police youth academy; and the Cumberland Monster Dash 5K in October.

Michelle Jones, assistant to the town’s police chief, thinks tying into the Hancock County 5K series is a great way to market local events while supporting fellow races and race organizers.

“It is a great way to root each other on and hope everyone reaches their goal,” she said.

Jones said passport organizers will use what they learned in the inaugural year to make the 2020 race season even better.

Theobald has no doubt that as the passport program grows, more and more people will see the value of participating in races close to home.

“Convenience is a factor, but supporting local organizations that provide resources right here in Hancock County is the bigger draw,” she said.

Many local events like the Superhero 5K and Turkey Day 5K are chip-timed, which is also important to many participants.

“We have well-organized events that can compete with some of the bigger events in other areas,” said Theobald. “Plus, you are likely to see some of the same faces at the passport events and make some new friends.”

For more info on the local race series, visit facebook.com/PassportToHC5k.

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More information about the 5K series is available on the Hancock County 5K Run/Walk/Roll Series Facebook page: facebook.com/PassportToHC5k.

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