Fifth Season Road Races continues rich July Fourth tradition

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Fourth of July across the United States is usually full of parades, barbecues, and fireworks, and even the Coney Island Hot Dog Eating Contest.

But in Cedar Rapids, a different Independence Day tradition has thrived for the better part of three decades — and this year is no different.

On Tuesday, Cedar Rapids will host the 32nd annual Fifth Season Road Races, giving runners a chance to compete in one of Eastern Iowa's more famous races.

The event offers five different races Tuesday morning, all starting in downtown Cedar Rapids. The Health Solutions 8-kilometer race — the day's premiere event — kicks off first, and is quickly followed by a 5-kilometer run/walk. Following the two main events, there are three mini-races for children: a .33-mile run, a .45-mile run and a mile run for children under 12.

The 8K race, though, is what stands out, not only because of the national competition that the race can draw, but also because of its unusual distance.

'We started out to be different in terms of distance, and the tradition stuck,' Mark Powers, president of the Corridor Running Club and one of the coordinators of the race, said. 'It's not a common distance, so for most people who run it, it's probably going to be a personal record for them just because you can't go out and find very many 8Ks ever.'

The USA Track and Field certified race draws a large amount of national competition, too. Powers said there are almost 30 'elite runners' coming to compete from more than 20 states around the country. He even said there are a few international competitors coming to run.

Those high-level competitors, he said, are a huge boost for the race.

'It's good for publicity, but it also shows the sincerity of the race, the history of the race, the tradition of the race, the USATF certified course, all of that adds up in time,' Powers said. 'We've got a great tradition throughout the country in that regard. What it also does for the community, it shows the community the sincerity of the running club promoting it on a national basis.'

It's not just the runners, though, that make the races special, Powers said. Throughout nearly the entire course, there are fans and members of the community who sit out and cheer on competitors.

It's that level of support, he said, is what truly helps the race stand out.

'We certainly invite (the community) to sit curbside and cheer on and hoop and holler,' Powers said. 'There's some great groups that sit along the course. We've had a couple of these groups that have supported us the entire 32 years that we have been doing it. It has quite the tradition to it.'

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