5Ks draw all kinds of participants

It was about 18 months ago that I signed up for my first 5K run.

I called it "throwing my hat over the wall" — a metaphor for committing to doing something, the notion being that once you've thrown your hat over the wall, you have no choice but to climb over and get it.

I remember the nervousness I felt as race day approached — days of both excitement and anticipation, as well as fear and anxiety. What if I don't finish? What if I'm slower than everybody else? What if I make a fool out of myself?

At times, I entertained dark imaginings of a field of runners, decked in high-end running gear, leaving me in the dust and wondering who let this newbie in.

So I trained hard. I hit the treadmill and the pavement, preparing myself for the distance. I purchased some modest "running" gear, so I wouldn't look like a complete novice. Mostly, I reminded myself over and over why I was doing it — to get healthier — and what anybody else thought about it didn't matter.

It turned out that my anxiety was for nothing. The 5K I ran in was full of runners and walkers of all shapes, sizes and experience. Sure, there were the gung-ho types in their fancy shoes who seemed to nearly sprint through the course. But it was also plainly evident that for many in the field, running a 5K wasn't an everyday experience. There were medium-speed runners, slow-runners and walkers. There were some that did a little of both. Some pushed baby-strollers. There were young kids and senior citizens.

Almost all were just like me — people out to do something a little healthier. There was nothing noteworthy about my presence among the runners and walkers.

Since then, I've done a handful of other 5Ks in communities across the area. Some have had only a few dozen participants; others have had thousands. But the thing I've observed is that every race is the same as far as the participants. You will always have your superstars; but you will also always have your plodders. I think that's my favorite thing about these races — the vast diversity in the abilities of the participants. Yet everyone is united by the great common denominator of living healthier.

I bring this all up because we are approximately one month away from Blytheville's 5K run, the Second Annual Chili Cook-Off 5K Run, set for 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 16. The race is being held in conjunction with the annual Chili Cook-Off, and will raise money for the United Way.

There was a decent field of runners and walkers last year, but we need more this year. I know there's lots of folks out there who are dabbling with healthier living. I've seen them walking in their neighborhoods or running at the Sportsplex. Well, here's their chance to throw their hats over the wall, and make an even stronger commitment to living healthy. There's nothing like the feeling of accomplishment that comes with completing a race like this, and it's a great motivator to staying on the healthy course.

The 5K will take place at the Blytheville Youth Sportsplex on a course that has been certified by Jim Stearns of Jonesboro. Preregistration is $20. Participants can register online at racesonline.com, or they can pick up entry forms at the United Way Office, Ultimate Fitness, the ANC Fitness Center or the Great River Medical Center’s Fitness Center. Deadline for online registration 8 a.m. Monday, Oct. 11. Race day registration is from 6-7 a.m. on the 16th, and is $30. For more, call Dave Freeze at 870-278-9281 or Rick Ash at 870-740-1914, or check out the "Blytheville Chili Run" page on Facebook.

I urge anyone looking to live a healthier lifestyle to take part. It will be a great way to spend an autumn morning, and it supports a good cause. So throw your hat over the wall and sign up. You won't regret it.