Saturday morning, downtown Aiken hosted the AEC Run United race to benefit the United Way of Aiken County. While I have participated in this event before, this was actually the first time I did the 5K route.
Saturday Morning In Aiken
It was a little chilly to start on Saturday, but overall the weather was perfect for a race. My fiancé, stepdaughter, and I made it to downtown Aiken around 7 a.m. The 10K and half marathon runners were set to start their race at 7:30 a.m. For the 5K, we were scheduled to start at 7:45 a.m.
When we first got there, we walked around a bit to check out the vendors. Then I made sure to start warming up. After injuring my hip about a month or so ago, I have been trying to take a little more time to ensure I’m warmed up and stretched out for things like this.
As scheduled, the 5K runners toed the start line at 7:45 a.m. I popped in the AirPods and took off. I didn’t have any expectations for myself, just to get it done. One thing I love about this race is that Aiken is fairly flat. For a runner, flat ground can be really beneficial.
Of course, running the 5K for the first time, I wasn’t exactly sure what the route would be like. I know in years’ past when I did the half marathon, we ran on dirt roads, got to see horses, and ran the track at Odell Weeks. But even with a much shorter route, we still got to enjoy beautiful sights in downtown Aiken.
No matter what distance you run, there’s always a sense of excitement when you see that finish line. For me, I usually try to sprint to the finish. Saturday felt tough for me, but I had run the entire race. I still managed a bit of a sprint.
My watch showed I ran the 3.1 miles in just over 32 minutes. After the race, I looked at the official time which shows I actually finished in 31:12! I’m very proud of this time, considering that I haven’t been training much lately. I also saw that I placed 2nd in females 35-39. That’s the first time I’ve placed in a really long time!
It was a great race in Aiken, and all to benefit the United Way of Aiken County.
AEC Run United Benefits The United Way
The Aiken Electric Cooperative (AEC) hosts Run United each year to benefit the United Way of Aiken County. There are 3 distance options, along with a kids’ fun run. Runners can choose from the 5K, 10K or half marathon option.
United Way of Aiken County’s mission is to improve lives within the community. They advocate for those who have no voice and support programs that provide opportunities for a good life for all.
United Way of Aiken County is a non-profit organization that helps people in Aiken County with critical human needs. They collaborate with 30 partner agencies to assist the community in various capacities including educational assistance, financial assistance, medical help, and crisis assistance.
For more information on United Way Of Aiken County, click here.
