This is a big weekend with the 4th of July celebration and all the festivities and fireworks that go with it. For runners it is a great weekend for a race. There are around two dozen races in the surrounding area for runners to choose from. A lot of 5Ks and 10Ks and even a few half marathons for runners to enter. Austin and San Antonio have three or four races to choose from this weekend. The cities in the Central Texas area have mostly 5Ks but many of them have local celebrations to visit after the race.
For celebrations the 4th of July has so many themes to design the race tee shirt for the race. Most will have red, white and blue designs and have some patriotic design on the front. For a runner it is a real challenge to select the race they want to enter. The choices range from local races to traveling a short distance for a larger race.
Looking back at the 4th of July 5K races here in San Marcos the Parks and Recreation Department was the primary organizer. The race was held at the courthouse square, the River Ridge Parkway, and the Hays County soccer fields area over the years. The ones that were out at River Ridge were well attended as the course was very flat and fast. The spectators enjoyed the location as they could see the runners from several viewpoints and passed by some locations several times because of the loops and out and back sections on the course.
The one problem for a 4th of July race is the hot weather. I see where there are several half marathons and organizers really have to be cautious of runners and possible heat problems like heat exhaustion and even heat stroke. I have been in a few hot weather races and the organizers had several locations where a person had a water hose for runners to run through – or as some runners did, stop and cool off. I think the most unique solution the Parks and Recreation Department used was to buy several “kiddie” pools and place them at the finish area and fill them with water for runners to lay down in after the race. They were used more than a person would think. There were ice chests filled with ice packs in case a runner suffered from heat exhaustion and needed to be cooled down fast. I can’t remember any cases of a runner being in serious trouble but several runners asked for an ice pack to put on the back of their neck as they sat down waiting for the award ceremony.
The one incident that I am reminded of was in a small town near San Marcos. Walking back to my car after the race a runner in front of me collapsed into a grassy area near the road. His partner said he would be okay as he was, “a serious and experienced runner.” Heat exhaustion doesn’t play favorites. The local medics came and placed a blanket over him. That’s when I stepped in and said he is suffering from heat exhaustion and needs to be cooled down, not covered with a blanket. We had other runners bring ice packs and after some time he recovered and went on his way. The problem with runners that are suffering from the effects of heat problems is they think they can keep running. At a race in Seguin one runner made the turn to the finish line too early and ran into a plate glass window of a store. Fortunately, he didn’t break the glass but was flat on his back on the sidewalk. He said he had to get up and finish the race. I told him his race was done and told the next three runners to get ice and contact the paramedics. My wife was in a trail vehicle in one race and came upon a staggering runner and told him to get in the car. He said he was okay but she insisted and eventually got him in with the air conditioning going full blast. The runner then realized he needed to quit and get a ride back to the finish area. Races on the 4th of July are for a great cause but stay cool.
