- Race length: 5K
- Race course: Thankfully flat
- Race day weather: BRRRRRRRR
The Fool’s 5K
This annual race occurs in adorable Cedar Falls, Iowa on the first Saturday in April, which actually happened to fall on April Fool’s Day this year. In the past, we witnessed most runners dressed up like fools, wearing wigs, hot pink tutus, and inflatable dinosaur costumes. The race organizers blasted high-energy music and a local brewery had a beer truck at the finish line ready to give runners their ultimate reward. Banana? Only if I have a free hand for a beer!
Side note: Every race we’ve ever done in the Midwest ends with AT LEAST one free beer. In Green Bay, two free beers. The Midwest really is the best.
Unfortunately, the crappy weather made us all fools that morning.
The race course
This race takes place in George Wyth State Park, an ordinarily beautiful place with lakes and miles of both paved and dirt trails. During the first gasps of spring, the trees are completely naked, the grass is brittle brown, and the trails are mud-bogged as they recover from months of heavy snow blankets. It’s nature’s version of emerging from quarantine.
The weather…the frickin frackin weather!
Want to run in 32° F with 30 mph wind gusts? Yeah, me neither! Severe thunderstorms and numerous tornadoes from the day before—one tornado even touched down a few miles from the race course—had the weather all in a tizzy. We sat in our car for as long as possible, watching the finish line flag nearly come unmoored in the gusts. Finally, with a courageous, “Let’s just get this stupid thing over with,” we boldly left our car and headed to the starting line.
Only 146 brave fools showed up to shiver in a huddled mass at the starting line. There was no music, tents, or even the beer truck. It was a sad state of affairs. (Though I saw cases of beer next to the finish line, so I knew I was still in the Midwest.) I think they played the national anthem on the loudspeaker, but I couldn’t hear it over the wind and the sound of my teeth shattering. Finally, the gun went off.
I pressed play on my 5K race playlist and did the awkward shuffle forward with the pack until we passed the actual starting line. As my fingers and toes regained feeling, I got into the running groove. I actually felt fairly good until the turnaround at mile 2, which made me run into the wind the entire way to the finish line. Due to the squiggly nature of the course, Luke and I got to slap hands twice as we passed each other, which is always fun.
I gradually passed a struggling woman at the final bend and run-gasped, “We’re so close! Keep going!” I tried to sprint that last 200 meters, but let’s face it, I’d get a beer regardless of my time. Finally, it was over. I got my banana, chocolate milk, a beer, and a sense of accomplishment.
Post-race brunch at Lark Brewing
We refueled our tired bodies with brunch at Lark Brewing in Cedar Falls, Iowa. We savored panko crusted chicken over a cornbread waffle all smothered in a gently spicy syrup and a jerk pork breakfast burrito filled with juicy pork, crispy tater tots, and fluffy scrambled eggs. Like true partners, Luke and I cut each masterpiece in half so we could enjoy both dishes. They were the perfect treat after a blustery race.
Tip: When you visit Lark Brewing, raise a pint of Showed up in Boots (a malty Kentucky Common) or Berry Potter and the Order of the Peaches (stupid good sour) to head brewer, Jen. She’s wonderful and wonderfully talented!
Things to do in Cedar Falls
After brunch, you’ll want to spend a few hours in beautiful Cedar Falls, Iowa. Here are our recommendations.
- Take a stroll along Main Street. It’s packed with shops, boutiques, restaurants, and coffee shops. Try Cup of Joe for great coffee and a mid-century modern flair.
- Go to the farmer’s market. The market is bustling every Saturday from May-October from 8:30-12:30 at Overman Park. Tons of fresh produce, unique crafts, food trucks, and baked goods.
- Visit the John Deere Tractor and Engine Museum. Tons of interactive displays that are fun and interesting for both kids and adults.
Tip: Staying the night? For history and location, we recommend the Black Hawk Hotel on Main Street. A beautiful 28-room boutique hotel built in the 1850s. Complimentary breakfast. Pet friendly. An excellent cocktail bar. Need we say more?
Final thoughts and stats
- Tara: 31:27. “I could have pushed myself more. I’m aiming for less than 30 minutes.”
- Luke: 27:33. “Slow start, but it’s the beginning of the season. Was hoping for better beer at the finish line.”
This is always an enjoyable race, but this year’s weather made it an absolute struggle. However, that tired but weird energy we gained from a race done followed by an excellent brunch at Lark Brewing made it all worthwhile. Cedar Falls, Iowa is a great place to race the weekend!
Shoutout: We tried out bibSNAPS by Bibboards for this race. Instead of poking holes in your race shirt, you snap these reusable plastic buttons to attach your bib. They are adorable, work great, and are perfect for racing the weekend.
Really enjoyed reading about your trials and tribulations of racing. I could almost hear your teeth chattering from the cold.
Love the pictures and the shout out for the Midwest as beer is always a part of pretty much any event.
The Midwest truly knows how to make any event fun!
Just love reading the great details that put me there without having to be cold.
It was chilly–but worth it!
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