Race The Landing

If you were in Charles Towne Landing last Thursday, the woosh-woosh-wooshes you heard weren’t cannonballs of yore tearing by, but a record turnout for a race series, Race for the Landing.
According to race publicity chairman Bob Seidler, close to 300 runners took part in this year’s kick-off 5k, matching the most popular race from the 2012 series.
Last year, so many runners took part in the Thursday night series of races that The Friends of Charles Towne Landing, the nonprofit race series organizers, were able to donate $10,000 to the historic park.
Seidler said the goal is to break the total donation from last year’s series, its inaugural year, and that he is “optimistic” that the donation this year could increase another $1,000-$2,000, as knowledge of the race spreads through the running community.
Charles Towne Landing preserves the original spot of the first permanent English settlement in what was then the Carolina colony. In addition to interesting historical interpretations, there are: a replica 17^th century tall ship, a zoo (bears!), replica canons, miles of trails, and more.
But every few Thursday nights, it’s the site of a full-fledge race. Because of the wide range of events already scheduled in advance at the park – from weddings to family reunions and the like – the race series is staggered through the summer.
Register now for this Thursday’s race at racethelanding.com/register/. The following Thursdays are race nights: May 9, June 6, June 13, and July 11.
Each night has a theme, and an appropriately themed dinner (think: Italian Night Pasta) is served, along with a cold Michelob Ultra to age-appropriate participants.
Prizes go five deep in various age and gender groups, and there are singlet T-shirts for those who register for all five races. There are also shorter nightly races for the kiddos.
This last Thursday’s top speedster was Jeff Baxter, a 36-year-old from North Charleston, still capable of running 5:40 minute pace miles for a 5k time of 17:35. The fastest female competitor was the ageless Lauren Jaynes, at 20:40.
Not everyone who took part was as fleet as foot, with one competitor topping 80 years of age. But, Seidler said, everyone seemed to have a great time.
 
For more information on Race The Landing, visit www.racethelanding.com