Although we didnt plan it, one of the neat things we got to see while in Fargo was the Marathon. This is a pretty big race, and had well over 17,000 participants this year.
My folks' house happens to be on the route for the race, so we were able to see lots folks run by. They were around mile seventeen in the route, so not everyone was still running at that point, but most were!
My super sweet, thoughtful, considerate, forward thinking dad created a 'misting station' for the runners.
The kids spent an hour outside just cheering. They were so cute! Audrey was just bewildered buy the banging of the pots. You could almost see her mind working.
"Are you banging that pot and not getting in trouble? I must investigate this further."
This is the female winner. She actually qualified for the Olympic trials!!
As I mentioned, we were around mile seventeen, and the day kept getting hotter and hotter, so people were really grateful for the 'mister' my dad created.
Lots of folks took advantage of it. And I think they even enjoyed the nice padded runway he made.
People of all shapes, sizes, and personalities ran.
It sorta deflated my "Well I could never do a marathon," excuse.
The police did a great job of keeping the runners safe and on track. They handled every potentially harmful circumstance with grace and expertise.
Whats that?
"Possible situation on the 700 block."
"I'm on it!"
Crisis averted.
(although I jest, that was actually a great thing… garbage and debris could have really hurt a runner)
We saw this a lot more then I thought.
I can only imagine what was so important.
"Deliver it to the corner of 25th and 9th. Extra cheese please."
This guy made me tear up instantly. He's run seventeen miles already and is steadfast and determined. A man on a mission.
A man honoring folks he loved.
*tissue please*
It was a great race, and we had so much fun cheering people on! I am thinking about setting a goal for myself and doing the 5K next year.
That or just cheering again.
After the race we headed out the Scheels who was the main sponsor. Scheels is an athletic and outdoor outfitter and HUGE. This is a ferris wheel right in the middle of the store!!
The kids loved it!
Congrats to all the awesome and inspiring runners and to Fargo for another record breaking marathon!
How fun to have your house on the route of a marathon. Watching people set a goal and attempt to attain it is just awesome! I love being a cheerleader to people’s dreams and goals. The padded area to run and the mister your dad set up was so thoughtful and I bet everyone who took advantage of it was ever grateful. 🙂
On another note…I just saw the photo of your new hair colour. Great choice Amanda, it looks wonderful on you.
I’ve actually been challenged to do a 5K in the fall! So, if *I* can do it, I KNOW you can! LOL
LOVE the mister! That just makes my heart so happy to see people reaching out to strangers like that!
Creativity runs in your family! A good friend from high school ran in that marathon and he had a picture of the winning gal too–she looks like a solid rock!
I’d run a 5k if they had your cupcakes and cookies at the end…just saying!
I love how every time I read the word “mister” I think, “Mister Who?” And then, “oh, yeah!”
And unless something fantastic happens in your life, I would LOVE to run the Fargo 5K with you next year. I could do that! What do you say? Do you want to go for it?
oh the phones…people cannot put them down for anything. We were at the beach recently and I couldn’t believe the number of people out walking in the quiet of the early morning talking (loudly I might add) on their cell phones as they walked the beach. Didn’t that sorta defeat the purpose of the quiet walk? I don’t get it. Even my hubs who normally has his glued to his hand left his behind.
What a great time! Loved the guy in the Superman costume.
Fun! I absolutely love the atmosphere of a race. Enough so, that I was going to do a 5k, but then I started the training and…well, not for me. 🙂 You should try it though!!
“I want to go there!”
And that is why I shouldn’t read blogs with my children standing right beside me… hehe…
Nice post! It’s quite inspiring and influential. Keep up the good work. Thank you for posting.