What you should know about Minnesota’s largest 10k
Yesterday was the 36th annual Get in Gear 2K, 5K, 10K and half marathon. Known as the annual rite of spring in Minnesota, yesterday’s weather did not disappoint. It’s hard to think just a week ago we were sharing a race recap of the St. Cloud Earth Day half marathon with a 20⁰ race start!
History of Get in Gear
Get in Gear has a rich history in Minnesota. The race started in 1978 and celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2012. In its first year alone, nearly 5,000 runners lined up at the start of the 10K and 2 mile races – earning the title of the state’s first “mega-race”. Since then, a 5K and half marathon distance have been added to the race options making it appealing to variety of runners.
Community Involvement
In 1987, seeing a need to address youth fitness, the 2 mile event was changed to a 2K and Get in Gear began the Fit For Fun program. This 6-week training plan has helped nearly 70,000 children reach the finish line and begin to develop healthy lifestyles.
In 2006, Get in Gear began a partnership with Second Harvest Heartland whose mission is to fight childhood hunger. The dollar for dollar match of participant donations (up to $10,000) has helped raise over $100,000 and the on-site food drive has collected countless pounds of non-perishable food items.
Get in Gear also offers charitable donations of $500 to community or school groups of 30 or more people who volunteer at the event.
Running is definitely good for the mind and body and it’s great to know that when you run Get in Gear, you’re doing good for your community too!
Race Course
At the race start line there were happy faces and bare legs as runners talked about the glorious 60 degree temperature and reminisced of the ice pellets and thunderstorms we’ve had to contend with the last three years.
The race began with a 26 second (1 second for every mile) moment of silence in honor of the recent bombings at the Boston Marathon. During the singing of the National Anthem, runners slowly and proudly began joining in until the entire crowd was singing - something I’ve never experienced in nearly 10 years of race starts. It was moving and powerful.
The 10K and half marathon routes began at Minnehaha Park, headed up West River Road, crossed Lake Street and down to East River Road. At the Ford Parkway Bridge, the courses split and the 10K crossed the bridge, met up with the 5K course and headed to the finish line back at Minnehaha Park. The half marathon continued down East River Road and Shepard Road before turning around and heading back to the Ford Bridge and to the finish line. Without a doubt, Get in Gear follows some of the most popular routes in the city.
Race Organization
Year after year, Get in Gear is flawlessly run. From the community involvement, ease of packet pick-up, shuttle service to the start area, bag drop off, post-race activities and food, it’s a reputable race that keeps it the largest 10K race in the state.
Race Results
My husband and I ran the 10K side by side. We race triathlons during the summer, so it’s a treat when we participate in a race together. We finished in 47:16. A bit off my typical 10K pace, but I’ve been struggling with a hamstring injury since the Twin Cities 10 mile in October. After six months of treadmill rehab, it’s great to be outside now that spring has sprung! Check out how everyone else did:
- Half Marathon: 1,194 participants average time 2:05
- 10K: 3,421 participants average time 1:00
- 5K: 1,840 participants average time 36:55
- Full Results
Did you run Get in Gear? Share your race-day experience.
Checkout Olympian Carrie Tollefson’s Recap of the event.
httpv://youtu.be/qUHAsgGO6a0
