Spencer C. Duncan Make It Count 5k is a flat, fast, exciting, and emotional race in Gardner, Kansas. The race benefits the Spencer C. Duncan make it count foundation. You can learn all about it at: https://makeitcounttoday.org/

Lately, I have been trying to get selective about my racing. I’m trying to take it easy on my body AND my wallet. The Spencer C Duncan 5k is free to veterans. I (obviously) don’t mind a little bit of a drive for a free race. I managed to talk Sydney into signing up, too!

Before the race, we discussed our strategy. Sydney told me she didn’t mind if I wanted to “fly,” meaning run off without her. I do like to get competitive and race and start off way too fast. It’s fun for me. This time, though, I wanted to run with Syd. I wanted to encourage and relax and just have fun.

Running with Sydney, I was still able to goof around with some running friends. Some of them ran some fun events that I had to miss.

Gay Ann had run the first night of “The Night Train,” a 2 night combo event that sounds special made for me. The Night Train Night 1 was a fixed-time event, and night 2 is a set distance event. Great swag, including a special gift for doing both nights, really tempted me. I was strong enough to resist, but not so strong as to not be jealous. Gay Ann is doing both nights, of course, and still killed it at the Spencer Duncan 5k. She is, truly, savage!

Our good friend (and notorious Argo bandit), Andrew had run “the Night Wolf,” a brand new trail race put on by, or for, the wyco wolf pack. The weather here has been very wet. The trails, according to Andrew, were extremely difficult. There is hardly any swag for this one. I’m not so upset about missing it.

Hearing about these races was bittersweet. I’m sorry to miss out on any race. I’m very happy friends of mine were able to participate. I have to remember: I can’t do everything!

One great feature of the Spencer C Duncan 5k is the “boulevard of heroes.” Volunteers hold up portraits of service members killed in action along the entire course. I think this is a really cool memorial and a very neat feature. It makes Sydney emotional.

The last portrait on the course, about a tenth of a mile before the finish, is Spencer Duncan, the race namesake. I told Sydney, “When we get to that picture we’re going to pull the trigger!” She was sooo tired! She was worn out after a tough Friday workout. She had been pushing it the entire race, but she dug in and really RAN that last bit of the race! Sydney won her age group!

The race is great, but the party at the start/finish is really where it’s at. There’s a Chinook helicopter to tour, a lot of vendors with swag, and my favorite feature this year, Stroud’s cinnamon rolls! I had 3!

There was a d.j. playing hits from the 70’s and 80’s. We were getting down!

Spencer C Duncan make it count 5k was a wonderful experience! I’m glad we got up early and ran it!