Race Review: 16th Annual Oatmeal Festival

Lafayette (CO). January 14, 2012. By Thomas Denning. 

Pancakes.

Oatmeal with brown sugar, roasted almonds, peaches, blueberries, yogurt raisons, coconut toppings, watermelon, bananas and M&M’s? 

You bet! 

Those were some of the post race treats I saw at the 16^th Lafayette Oatmeal festival 5k held under sunny skies with almost no wind.

For many, the buffet line was longer than the actual 5k race. And even if all those post race goodies added a few calories, the 3,000 plus people who ate breakfast didn’t seem bothered.  

A common theme among runners was running smart, staying clear of injury, and testing form after another off season of training.  “I just want to make it to the finish without going out to fast. It’s a long season and I’m not sure what to expect” said Colorado Running Magazine Runner of the year Steven Kohuth.  (he did even in 19.01 after battling a cold all week).

I felt the same way. Go out smart, stay clear of any or snow or ice on the course (almost none) and see what I had in the tank. I was happy enough with my 21.23 http://boulderroadrunners.org/results/Oatmeal_5K_2012_Place.HTM as it was my first ever race in January.  In five previous years of racing, I have started my competitive season in March.

I found the logistics of the Oatmeal festival to be first class. There was plenty of off-site parking at Flatirons Community Church located less than a mile from the start finish. In addition to the shuttle service provided from the Church parking, there was also lots of parking at various spots near the course. I ducked into one less than a half mile from the starting line and got in a much needed warm up prior to the race.

Registration was a breeze. With ample volunteers stationed at check in, the lines appeared to be smooth and flowed evenly throughout the pre race countdown.

I had pre-registered, so I picked up my packet early (as I almost always do) and this was also very well organized and efficient. I got a chance to speak with event director Pat Vero of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce who was clearly happy with the turnout. 

The course gets outstanding marks. There is ample space on the start line for the wide variety of runners the race attracts. Many large events have problems coordinating the start of race but not the Oatmeal Festival. Elite runners had no problem separating from the joggers , walkers and strollers as each was clearly marked at the start line—and repeatedly mentioned by the race announcer. 

The run heads South on Harrison Street before turning West and climbing slightly uphill on Simpson. With lots of room to maneuver, runners spread out evenly. The sub six minute gazelles fell in single file and ran away from the rest of us even before we turned South again and rolled downhill on Bermont.

After a refreshing downhill stretch many runners settled in a natural pace (6:53 for me today)  before turning West again and passing the first mile. The race here heads due West toward Waneka Lake on Emma Street and the turnaround. I kept thinking about all that nice kind-of downhill as I made the turn and got into the competitive mode matching the runners around me.

I cruised the final mile and half to the finish. Grabbed a cold water and Gatorade and walked back to the car to change shirts. Once I changed, I took in the sights and post race buffet.

I highly recommend the Oatmeal Festival as a run or jog. Of course that recommendation might change if the weather was colder or there was a lot of snow! But for racing logistics, course layout, efficiency of registration, (did I also mention the fancy long sleeve tech shirt?) and especially post race buffet, the Oatmeal Festival is a definite A+ race.

The race is also a part of the 15 race 2012 Colorado Runner Racing Series.  The series scores the top ten finishers in all divisions through the season. 

There are less  than 60 days of training before my first big event of the year, the Runnin of the Green http://www.rotg.org/ .