The first 5k races of the year take place in January with weather-hardy runners participating in New Year’s resolution runs and polar bear dashes. There is another smattering of events in February clustered around Valentine’s Day. Likewise in March, several Shamrock Shuffles are held in honor of Saint Patrick’s Day. But 5k season doesn’t begin en force until April. Once the warmer weather hits, it’s possible to run at least one 5k race each week without leaving the state. The number of events begin to taper off in September and October, and the year wraps up with turkey trots around Thanksgiving and reindeer runs around Christmas.
If you’re picking up running shoes for the first time, there are many running experts with programs to get you from the couch to 5k. Shape Magazine has a guide to get you 5k ready in just 6 weeks, and champion runner turned coach Hal Higdon has an 8 week novice program. If that’s too much too soon, Everyday Heath has a 12 week plan. While running seems intimidating, most running programs for beginners alternate between running and walking, gradually increasing the running time each week.
KHCPL also has introductory running books available in our collection.
Runner's World Complete Book of Beginning Running by Amby Burfoot
Running Made Easy by Lisa Jackson
3 Months to Your First 5K by Dave Kuehls
If you are tech savvy and in the market for a good running app, check out KHCPL’s Tech for You blog post for recommendations. And if you need new music to freshen up your playlist, you can download 5 songs per week from Freegal.
For support and encourage, check out the Kokomo Roadrunners Club. They are at Highland Park every Wednesday, organizing a free run/walk. The Joe Kidd Rangel 5K starts at 5 PM, and the Jackie Sanders Miracle Mile follows at 5:45 PM. It’s a great way to train, stay motivated, and meet fellow runners. The calendar on their website is also a good source for local and regional events. Club Kokomo Roadrunners also sponsor the annual Haynes Apperson 5k Run/Walk, which will be held on Saturday, July 1, 2017.
The LocalRaces website is another resource for finding nearby race. Just enter your city and state and then use the filters to select the type of event as well as driving distance. To locate races in the entire state of Indiana, the Indy Runners Club is fantastic resource.
If you’re looking for less competitive races, check out Fun Races. This site features events that combine running with fun things such as wine and cupcakes. These races are also stroller friendly if you want to include your small children.
If you want to run in the mud, a number of trail events are held in Indiana each year. The Tippy Mud Run is a 5k mud run held annually at Cary Camp in Lafayette. Do INdiana Off-Road offers everything from 5ks to a marathon as well as mountain biking and triathlon. If you have the urge to ultra, check out the Huff, which is a 50k held annually the Chain O’ Lakes State Park. For more challenging events, check out Tough Mudder, the Spartan, and Viking Dash Trail Runs. For a ladies only mud run, try Dirty Girl.
Whether your goal is just to walk a mile or run a full marathon, there is something for everyone during 5k season.