A Season of Transition
I could be the president of the Fall Fan Club, a group for those people whose favorite season is fall. The color palette of reds, oranges, golds, and yellows painted across trees, shrubs and fields of native grasses make it the perfect backdrop for family photos and pumpkin patches, football, and of course, foot races. The crunching sound of leaves under our feet creates an almost lyrical rhythm to our runs or walks. The oppressiveness of the summer heat is relieved by shorter days, cooler nights, and autumn days filled with sunshine and just enough warmth to make them perfect. Fall also marks a time of transition, an utterly beautiful time that eases us from summer into the deeper darkness of the winter yet to come.
As we draw ever so near to the end of the 2023 season, we are looking toward a season of transition in the PRFS as well. We have seen such positive growth in 22 years, not only in our PRFS community, but in the greater community. We are reaping the benefits of the hard work of dedicated individuals over years of effort. It has not been a sprint. It has been a marathon. Our trails network has expanded into a system that can accommodate our races in a variety of configurations, iterations, and locations. Over the next 2 years, we will watch as our Rec Center expands and grows, a proud facility even more ready to meet the needs of the community than the current facility that has supported us for all our 22 years. We will see dramatic changes to Cody Park as well. A long-awaited aquatic park, expanded courts, and the requisite parking that will be needed to serve the many visitors will change the way it looks. It will, however, remain the centerpiece park for our community. Growth, expansion, and renovation are often not linear, maybe even a little messy and will necessarily cause some disruption to “the way things have always been.” Such is the nature of progress.
It is impossible to look too far ahead with any eye to accuracy, but our PRFS community should anticipate that our events that call the Rec Center or Cody Park home may be re-routed or have a change of venue during the construction process over the course of the next two years. It is possible that if the timing works out just right, no race will be affected, or certain races may be affected more than once. Either way, I expect that all races will go on as they wish, some “as they always have,” some with a shift of a start line or finish, and some, perhaps with a temporary change of venue. I would ask our community to be flexible and ready to pivot as we watch the transformation of the Rec Center and Cody Park take place.
I will be working with our race directors in preparation for the 2024 season very soon with the hope of finalizing the 2024 season around the time of the Jingle Bell 5K & Mile. There is so much to look forward to already! I can share that we will say good-bye to the Eclipse Dismal River Run and send it off with our deepest gratitude to Kristy Lage and those who supported this race. Directing a race is hard, directing a remote race is really hard! There is a spirit in the people of the Sandhills, a fierce and persistent strength and we are grateful for our time at the beautiful Eclipse Church. The race will support scholarships for high school runners for several years, a lasting gift for a job well done. High school runners should see their school counselors for the application form. While we say farewell to one half-marathon, we welcome back another after a four-year hiatus. The Sillassen Half-Marathon will return, giving us all an opportunity to run the Nebraska Sandhills once again. Hilly to be sure, but perhaps less daunting than the Eclipse, Kari Christensen will once again lead this big-time experience in a small-town setting. The Sillassen half will be moving to June from its usual April date, with a June 29, 2024, race date.
We will be adding another event in June, making June packed full of fabulous racing experiences and opportunities to connect with the “family!” It has always been part of my mission to bring racing experiences to our local communities so that people can have new opportunities and try new events right here at home. We’ve got or have had relay races and color runs, adventure runs, stair climbs, trail runs and obstacle courses. On June 8, 2024, the American Legion will mark PTSD Awareness Month with our first “Ruck Race.” Ruck racing has exploded in popularity, and I can’t wait to share more information about this unique style of racing. The race will accommodate all ages and abilities, just like our races always have, so not to worry, but ruck races (or marches if you prefer!) are meant to be challenging, giving us a taste of the physical fitness standards in our military. I am also deeply proud of supporting our service men and women, veterans, and the work of the American Legion. I can’t wait to see you “be all you can be” at the June 8, 2024, American Legion Hero’s March!
Our Doris Davis is working hard on our points competition standings. We hope to make them available soon so everyone can check their points for accuracy. It is an enormous undertaking so it’s easy to miss something and I want to give Doris and all of you plenty of time to review and edit them. We will post them a second time at the conclusion of the Jingle Bell. As a reminder for those working on the Finisher’s Challenge, to be an Ultimate Finisher, you must have done the virtual challenge as well as each race. Those who complete 15 or 16 total events are also eligible for a separate Finisher’s distinction. Please mark your calendars now for the 2023 Night of Champions to be held on Sunday, January 28, 2024, at Harbor Lights! I’ve had some requests to go back to the potluck style of meal, which truly does feel like a warm way for a community to gather. However, I also enjoy providing your meal for you, so let me consider the options and I will get more information on the awards night to you after we get the final points added.
As we near the end of 2023, we can, as a community, look back with pride and gratitude on a season where we continue to prioritize what matters most, progress over perfection and connection alongside competition.