COMMUNITY JOURNALISM: Homespun heaven for runners

Editor's note: Lisa Paulos, 52 of Cedar Rapids is part of the organizing committee for the Hawkeye 25K and 50K running races. She runs a few ultra marathons each year and maps her own freelance ultras from home. She works as a nurse at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids.

By Lisa Paulos, community contributor

While most people were celebrating St. Patrick's Day attending parades or indulging in Irish food and beverages, more than 100 hardy runners from 10 states towed the start line at the MacBride Nature and Recreation Center sailboat social center for the second edition of the Hawkeye 25K and 50K running races.

First held in November of 2010, the weather had racers experiencing rain, sleet and snow. This year saw sunny conditions with temperatures reaching 83 degrees breaking March records.

Race director Tim Smith of Iowa City saw a need for an ultra-marathon (a distance longer than 26.2 mile) in Iowa and took it upon himself to organize an event that has appeal for almost every runner looking for something a little different.

The Hawkeye 25K and 50K consists of one or two loops depending on the distance you choose. Each lap contains almost equal miles of pavement, crushed gravel trail and single track trails with leaves, rocks and roots. The bonus section and defining feature of the course is crossing the spillway between Lake Macbride and the Coralville Lake. Each year runners' feet ranged from damp to completely wet all the way to your knees depending on where you crossed.

Ultra-marathons are typically less manicured than standard road marathons. Racers pride themselves on negotiating the unexpected and often compete against the course rather than each other. There were no stocked goody bags or pre-race expos at this event. Three aid stations provided adequate food and liquids.

Family and friends take photographs and encourage racers. There is little publicity or press coverage. With a limit of 150 racers to minimize impact on trails at the MacBride Nature and Recreation Area, the event sold out well before the March 16 deadline.

Information, results and photos can be found at TimSmith.blogspot.com. The event has not found its niche on the running calender yet, but we're hoping to find it sometime in 2013.

More photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnhackbarth/sets/72157629616436409/