Swamp Fox Challenge-10 Miler
By: Leo Dunn
The first we heard about this race was an email received one week before the event. It looked quirky and seemed like it would be fun. Landon and I are glad we went.
We left Charlotte Friday afternoon for a 2-1/2 hour drive to Marion, SC. About 20 miles out from town we stopped by the Little Pee Dee River State Park and reserved a campsite for the night. It has a great camping area nestled in a pine forest on the banks of a small lake. We went into town, got our race packets and returned in time to cook dinner and watch the sun go down. The milky way was bright in the sky as we went to bed with ducks and frogs singing us to sleep.
This is the first annual Historic Marion Runfest held in conjunction with the Marion Swampfox Chili Cook-off. It is part of a series of events celebrating the town and namesake Francis Marion, better known during the Revolutionary War days as “The Swamp Fox”. The races consisted of a Tot Run, 1 mile, 5k, 10k and 10-mile runs.
Marion, SC is one of the most beautiful southern towns you will see. The downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods are picture perfect. All of the runs take place through and around the town. The route was flat and well marked. Most all the 10 mile route was on neighborhood streets shared with traffic. However, traffic was light and an abundance of police and volunteers kept us very safe. When we signed up only 13 runners were registered. Registration was open race day and a few others signed up bring the total to 21 runners who finished the 10-mile race.
The race started at 9 am along with the 10k run which shared routes for about 3 miles. Landon and I ran together most of the way talking with other runners, most of whom were from the area. Many of the 5k and 10k runners were folks participating in a run for the first time. A lot of school kids and adults participated in training programs leading up to the event. The local national guard encouraged all their men to run. The sun was out, the air cool and it was a good day for a run.
Of course with so few participants, it wasn’t difficult to earn some bling. Landon received first place in her age group with a time of 1:31:39 and I received third place in my age group with a pace of 1:29:22. It was a timed USATF certified and a fast, flat course. We met several runners who compete at many of our usual events. Many of them completed Myrtle Beach Marathon the previous weekend.
After the awards ceremony all runners were given tickets to the Chili Cook-off. We got to sample and vote on a dozen different chili recipes and wash it down with $2 draft beer.
A nice spring day for a run in a wonderful small town. Friendly folks all around, some good running talk and nice awards. Top it all off with cold beer and hot chili. It doesn’t get much better!
Look this one up next year. You’ll be glad you did.
