2020 Series Complete

That's it for the 2020 series, hope that you were able to join us at some point this year. What a strange year it was.....no thanks to the Covid-19 problems. But, at least we were able to salvage some of the series. We did have several runners with perfect attendance - Bob Banks, Bill and Scooter Lacy, Shane Newsome, and Kim White. And, we had two runners who missed only one run - Carol Ann Bryant and Charlie Lesh. It takes a lot of commitment to show up week after week. This summer was brutal, as usual, but we survived it and celebrated with pizza, as is our tradition. Maybe next year we can get back to our normal race/run procedures (sure missed those cold washcloths!). Kudos to all of you. By the way, here are the results of last night's run. Looking forward to next year already. Much thanks to all of you who ran with us this year - I sure enjoyed seeing all of you. Run safely - Doug

Winding Down

Just about to wrap up the 2020 season - last run is next Tuesday, July 28. We'll have pizza after the run, which has become a tradition to close out the season. Speaking of food, much thanks to Shane for bringing watermelon last night. Perfect after a hot, humid run! Also, much thanks to all of you who have shown up week after week in this Covid-shortened season. Hopefully, back to normal next year. Here are the results of last night's run. See you next week! Doug

Run 7 In the Books

Winding down - a couple of weeks left - and it gets hotter and hotter. That's July for you, nothing new here! Our participation was down a bit yesterday evening, as several were out of town (the beach sounds pretty good about now). Hope you can help us finish out the last two weeks. I'm thinking that pizza is sounding pretty good for July 28, as is our tradition to close out the series. Sounds pretty good already. Here are the results for last night's run. See you next week - Doug

Last Month of Runs and the Heat is Here!

Week 10 in the books and 3 more runs in this Covid-19 shortened series - a warm and muggy run, but that is what we expect in July. These results will reflect some slower times due to the weather conditions. Even so, it's been great to get together every week for a run and some visiting. If you are reading this and have not run with us yet, come on out next week. Be sure to bring some water/Gatorade along with you, as we continue with our "On Your Own" philosophy. Hopefully next year we can get back to normal. Stay safe, Doug

June - Done!

June runs are in the books! Looks like we have four runs in July before wrapping up this Corona-shortened Summer Swing Series. Even under these adverse conditions, it's been great getting to run together, and meet some new folks along the way. Thanks to afternoon showers yesterday, we had temps in the high 70's, pretty rare for June. And, we had some pretty good results - those results for last night's run can be found here. Hope to see you next week. Bring a friend! Doug

Pure Old Muggy

Here are the results of tonight's run. It was hot and muggy, typical of June evenings, but we did manage to get our run in before a thunderstorm crashed in on us. Pretty good turnout, nearly 30 souls! Come join us next week. There are 5 runs remaining, if we can tough it out! See you next week - Doug

June 16 Results

Here are the results of this evening's run. It was a crazy cool evening - mid seventies - in June - which is rare. Made for some good finish times. We are having about 20 show up for our runs/walks. Come join us next week! Can't guarantee it will be as cool as this evening but who knows? See you soon, Doug.

June 9 Run Results

The results of today's run can be found here. We managed to dodge the rain, at least some of us did! Good to see everyone and hope to have you back next week. Stay well! Doug

Back Again!

Last night we had our first run of the season, and it was great to see everyone. Things went well with our "On Your Own" run. If you weren't here, basically our runs this year are set up so that each runner brings what they need. Basically, the Summer Swing 5k Series is providing a place and time to get together and see friends, or make new friends, while having a structured (measured, marked, and timed) run. It's as "touchless" as we could make it, due to Covid-19 precautions. The results can be reached in a link in the right margin (2020 Summer Swing Results), or by clicking here. Looking forward to next week, hope to see you then! Doug

Come Join Us Tuesday June 2

We have the green light to participate in Summer Swing 5K runs. Due to Covid-19 precautions, runners won't be handling forms, pens, money, or a common cooler - so be sure to bring whatever water or sports drink you will need. Main thing is, just show up at the Denson Drive Recreation Center by 6pm, and the run starts at 6:15pm. We will time the runs and post results for those interested in seeing their progress. Please practice social distancing and other precautions that you consider appropriate. Give me a call or text at 334-524-5021, or email at durunforfun@yahoo.com if you have any questions. Hope to see you next week! Doug

Looks Promising......YOYO Runs

Looks like we have a plan that will work - to enable us to salvage the rest of the Summer Swing 5K runs. We are 95% "go" as of today. I'm waiting for one more piece to fall into place. I should be able to give you a complete "full speed ahead" next week. Here's the plan. We will minimize any person-to-person contact and maintain suggested social distancing. Let's call them our "YOYO" runs - essentially each runner is on their own ("You're On Your Own"). Each runner should bring their own water/sports drink and anything else you might need. Just show up at 6pm on Tuesdays at the Denson Drive Rec Center, as we always have. The run series will be free. No registration, no water or GatorAde coolers provided, no hamburgers/hot dogs. And sadly, no cold washcloths at the finishing line (bummer). I will still time races and keep results posted on this blog site for anyone interested in tracking their times this summer. Restrooms are available across the street at Monkey Park. I am hopeful that Rec Center restrooms will be available in June (currently not available). First run - Tuesday June 2. So here's the good news - we can still get together to run - and see friends and have fun - with some structure - and it will be free! I'm hoping for good turnouts - I miss my running friends. If you have any questions you can reach me at durunforfun@yahoo.com, or call me at 334-524-5021. I think this will work! Look forward to seeing you June 2. There will be more information coming next week. I'll also plan to send out email reminders for contact information that I have from last year. Get Ready!

So......now what?

As we all know, the answer to so many questions these days is "Let's wait and see". As of today (May 3), Opelika Parks and Recreation facilities have not been reopened. Since the SS 5K series meets on P&R properties and uses their facilities, we are on hold. I have stayed in touch with P&R, and will be checking back with them in mid-May, when Governor Ivey's "Safer at Home" order expires. So, will we have any of our Summer Swing 5K runs this year? Hard to say at this point in time. I hope that we can, and will keep working towards that end. Stay tuned, stay safe, and stay fit! Doug

Summer Swing 5K Delay

As of today, 4/22/20, Opelika parks are closed by Executive Order of the Mayor. Until that order is lifted, the Summer Swing 5K series can't take place at the Denson Drive Recreation Center. There is a chance that runs can be resumed in June, starting with the June 2 run. I am waiting on an update now from Parks and Rec and will keep you posted on any updates. Meanwhile stay healthy and take care of yourselves! Doug

2020 Season is Here! Will We Be Able to Run?

The big question at this point is whether we will be allowed to run the 5K series this year, and if so, when? I'm optimistically hopeful that we will see enough improvement in the Covid-19 situation to allow us to move forward in May. I have been in touch with Opelika Parks and Recreation, and am waiting to see what they decide about similar outdoor activities. I'll keep you posted. The first run, and SS concert, is scheduled for Tuesday, May 5th. Stay tuned! Doug