A Fifth Season 8K history lesson

The Fifth Season Races — aka the Fifth Season 8K — returns Sunday with the 35th running of Cedar Rapids biggest road race.

Things have changed over the years — even the July 4 date one year — but the event remains a big local event.

Cal Murdock has been a lot of things over the years — official timer and unofficial historian. Here is his story on the previous 34 pages:

Summer in Iowa isn’t complete without Fourth of July traditions — warm humid weather, spitting seeds from home grown watermelon and watching fireworks blazing the skies with family and friends.

Add to the list — Fifth Season 8K.

Fifth Season started in 1986, after the running boom of the early ’80s, on a date no other Iowa race has managed to attain much runner or community support.

But with a blast it started, lighting up the Iowa running scene. No other Iowa race was offering “big time” cash prizes, but Fifth Season shot off like a rocket with more than $7,000 in prize money its first year. Some had tried, few had success with kid’s races, but Fifth Season sparkled brightly with hundreds of children filling the streets.

Fifth Season shined brilliantly from its first year and has become a rocket of enthusiasm, family fun, community involvement and fast times ever since.

1986 — Thirteen is not necessarily unlucky, as just that number of days had elapsed since Joseph Kipsang, former ISU runner, won Grandma’s Marathon. Kipsang had no problem winning in 23:24, Brad Little was 11 seconds behind with Doug Nelson, Phil Coppess and Brian Smith following. On the women’s side Nan Doak (now Doak-Davis) displayed her home grown ability, winning in 26:47 with Connie Prince 29 seconds behind.

1987 — Fifth Season was no sleeper of a race now as out-of-state runners took top honors with Keith Brantly and Brenda Webb winning easily in 22:49 and 26:16, respectfully. Injured Kipsang finished seventh, Bill Rodgers fifth and Jerrold Wynia was runner-up on the men’s side, 25 seconds behind Brantly. Second place women, Beverly Roland-Miller, was 2 minutes and 10 seconds back of Webb.

1988 — The action really heated up this year as Keith Brantly held off a trio of Africans, Sam Obwocha was three seconds back, Joseph Kipsang nine seconds and Richard Kaitany 19 seconds. Brantly won in 22:38. All four men ducked under 23 minutes, a 4:37 minute pace. Bill Rodgers tied a world master’s record running a 24:03. Karen Lutzke won the women’s race in 26:42, followed by Connie Prince and Suzanne Youngberg.

1989 — The women’s race commanded the attention this year as Nan Doak-Davis blazed to a 25:57 ahead of Janis Klecker and Diane Brewer as 13 women broke 30 minutes, one less than in 1988. The men kept it tight right to the end as five of them were within seven seconds at the finish with Max Harn taking top honors in 23:01. Marc Olesen, Noel Harvey, Scott Fry and Mark Plaatjes followed.

1990 — Jeff Jacobs, a former Clinton High School state champion, proved too much for the men as he scored a 23:35, topping Brett Burt by 13 seconds with Sean Wade in third. Jacobs matched Nan Doak-Davis as the only Fifth Season winners with Iowa roots. In the women’s division, Shelly Steely bursted into the winner’s circle with a 26:44, beating Jean McGould by 42 seconds with Cindy James in third.

1991 — It was 72 degrees with low humidity at the start of this year’s race and, while that may not sound like much, it was the best weather to date for Fifth Season as compared to 1990 with temperatures in the high 80s and humid weather plaguing the 8Kers. Scott Jenkins topped the men’s field in 23:33. Eric Stabb was 12 seconds back with Pat McCarthy in third. Janis Klecker won the women’s side in 26:55. Kathy Hadler was 25 seconds behind and Wendy Little finished third.

1992 — Janis Klecker spotlighted this year as she ran her last race before the Barcelona Olympics in 26:26. Nan Doak-Davis was 34 behind and Bonnie Sons placed third. Glenn Morgan topped the men's field in 23:24. Second for the second year, Eric Stabb followed by 11 seconds with Dan Hostager in third. Festivities after the race in Greene Square served almost 2,500 in the pancake line with kids events everywhere.

1993 — Heat and humidity slowed the field, but a tight race for the men broke up in mile 5 as Rodney DeHaven won in 23:38. Jeff Jacobs, the 1990 winner, finished second, four seconds back, and Dan Hostager matched his '92 finish with a third. Karen Glerum won the women’s race in 28:15, beating Rene Doyle-Kruse by 16 seconds and Maureen Hartzheim by 20 seconds. As in the year prior, the post race celebration filled every corner of the park.

1994 — This year was greeted with unbearable humidity, but it didn't stop the record turnout. Dan Hostager moved up to the winner's circle, finishing in 24:06 and topping seven others in the 24s. Bonnie Sons topped the women in 27:20. Tracey Dahl finished second, duplicating her second in the Big Ten 10,000. There were more than 400 in the 5K walk and 800 children in the kids’ races.

1995 — The 10-year anniversary was greeted by a light rain, a first for the race. Kenyans triumphed as John Kihonge topped Richard Rono by five seconds, winning the men's title with a 23:32. Salina Chirchir won the women's race with a 27:01. Two runners of note — Iowa great Phil Coppess won the master's title and Warren Utes, 75, ran a 31:52. The rain eased to provide for the usual great post race activities and events for kids.

1996 — Great weather saw 21 men beat 25 minutes, tied with 1989, and 20 women ducked under 30 minutes, a record. Eric Polonski took the lead quickly, scoring a 22:44 win with James Menon at 23:01. On the women's side, Libbie Johnson was two seconds off the race record, finishing in 25:59. Amber Anderson at 26:46 was in second. The race seem to profit from a straight downhill finish as it neared the Cedar River.

1997 — It was anything but normal July 4 weather to seven Olympians and runners from nine countries. The start was definitely a fall like 58 degrees, ready for an assault on the record book. Kris Ihle didn't disappoint, beating the women’s record by two seconds, winning in 25:55. Six women broke 27 minutes. On the men's side, Iowa raised Jeff Jacobs surprised everyone, taking the crown easily in 22:58 and leading 16 men under 25 minutes.

1998 — Legendary Bill Rodgers, who just turned 50, returned 10 years after his last Fifth Season. He didn't disappoint, nor did the rest of field with the closest men's finish in history as Joahnnes Mabitle won by a second in 22:46. A repeat women's winner, Kris Ihle, took the title with a time of 26:42.

1999 — Runners were greeted by normal summer weather, but that didn't stop a fast field scoring some of the best times in race history. Kenneth Cherulyot won a tight men’s race by three seconds in 22:50. On the women's side, Kris Ihle become the first three-time winner, easily defeating the field in 26:56.

2000 — Simon Sawe narrowly edged Olympian Rodney DeHaven, winning in 23:02. On the women's side, Bonnie Sons continued her winning ways with a 28:06 victory.

2001 — Simon Sawe edged Johanne Mabilte by two seconds, winning in 23:12 on another warm day. Rodney DeHaven was third. On the women's side, Kris Ihle-Helledy easily won with a 27:00 as Turena Johnson-Lane was second and masters sensation Janet Robertz was third.

2002 — Ten men were in contention at mile one, but Silvestor Moleko outdistanced the field (and two-time winner Simon Sawe), winning in 23:31. Grace Moranyi took the women's crown, scoring an easy 27:41 victory with Janet Robertz moving up a place from 2001.

2003 — There were a record number of finishers. Simon Sawe became the first three-time male winner, winning with a 23:24. On the women's side, Atalelech Ketema won in 27:02.

2004 — The closest finish in history saw Eric Chirchir narrowly beat Shadrack Kosgei, both clocking in at 22:57. Silvia Skortsova took the women's crown in 26:29, winning by 15 seconds.

2005 — The 20th year of this Iowa classic and, amazingly like the 10th year, it rained for only the second time in race history. This time, however, a hard driving rain came down soon after most of the runners were done. Julius Kiptoo won easily in 23:03 and Atalelech Ketema topped the women, narrowly winning in 26:56. The rain didn't dampen the spirit of a record number of finishers.

2006 — With more than 1,900 finishers and 20 men under 24 minutes, Julius Kiptoo repeated as winner in 22:45, two seconds better than second place. Tatyana Chulakh took the women's crown in 26:38.

2007 — Greeted with warm and muggy conditions, men's winner Alena Reta finished in 22:47, only 9 seconds off the record. Magdalene Mukunzi took the women's crown in 26:11, the fastest time since the record was set in 1997. There were 2,263 in the 8K and 5K runs with a new one-mile youth run and the always popular kids runs. This was the biggest Fifth Season ever.

2008 — This is a year no one will forget. Flooding throughout the downtown area weeks prior to the race forced postponement. Race officials scrambled for another race date and settled on Labor Day. Richard Candie won in 23:01 and Casey Owen was the fastest women in 27:40. The race survived, as did Cedar Rapids.

2009 — The Cedar Rapids downtown remained in recovery mode from the flooding and. almost expectedly, the day of the race had a light rain as 19-year-old Simon Cheprot won in 22:45 and Iowa standout Rachel Marchant took the women's crown in 26:18. Top talent, good numbers and a healthy race marked the "return of Fifth Season."

2010 — A change of pace with the generous prize money for U.S. runners only. Abebe Yimer won in 23:53 and Tera Moody edged out last year's winner, running 27:08. Fittingly Abebe just became a U.S. citizen after living in the America for nine years.

2011 — The race reverted to all-comers prize money and the field improved drastically. MacDonard Ondara won by less than a second in 22:42, third best time ever. Diane Johnson-Nukuri topped the women in 26:07, the fourth best time ever. The traditional course turning around in the Bever Park area changed to a river route, a first in race history.

2012 — The new course was greeted by 80-degree humid weather. It didn’t stop Diane Nukuri-Johnson, who she set the women’s record in 25:50, winning easily and 17 seconds faster than her time the previous year. On the men’s side, four broke 24 minutes, led by Alene Reta in 23:04.

2013 — Fifth Season started and finished in the comfortable confines of Greene Square, an old tradition from decades prior. Alliant Energy, the sponsor for 27 years, opted out. A beautiful morning and perfect temperature greeted the runners with Elly Sang winning in 23:59 and Pasca Cheruixot in 27:05.

2014 — A new sponsor and a women’s record made the day. Edward Tabut was the winner in 24:16 and Cynthia Limo set the women’s record by two seconds in 25:48.

2015 — An uptick in finishers and good competition saw Abraham Chelanga win by nine seconds in 23:32. Abgael Waniku took the women’s crown easily with a 26:55.

2016 — A hot summer, but a very cool race day as Brogan Austin won in 23:56. Cynthia Jerop easily won the women’s crown, the only women under 30 minutes winning in 27:01.

2017 — Kurui Evans won in 23:42 and Cynthia Jerop defended her crown and became a three-time winner, running 27:19.

2018 — Race temperatures neared 80 degrees, making for the slowest winning times in history. Phillip Mburu edged 2016 winner Brogan Austin in 24:28. Pasca Myers won the women’s crown in 28:32.

2019 — Panuel Mkungo won in 23:38, beating 2016 winner Brogan Austin. Lindsay Crevoiserat took the women’s crown easily in 27:53.

2020 — The 35th edition of the race was canceled by COVID-19.