Fifth Season memories

CEDAR RAPIDS - On a cool Fourth of July morning, runners warmed up and got ready to go.

Participants in the annual Fifth Season Races were chasing fond memories after all their hard work. Many runners and walkers from different states - and even different countries - were in downtown Cedar Rapids to compete.

This race was a family event, with parents running with their children in strollers or side-by-side.

For many this was their first 8K or 5K and for some this was another one for the books. There were many runners who have run all 31 years.

At 8 a.m. sharp, the gun went off for the 8K race and runners found their stride and headed off. Over the next 15 minutes, the 5K racers gathered at the starting line for their starting gun and, at 8:15, they were off.

Before you knew it, the first runners from the 8K race were in sight of the finish line. Brogan Austin from Madison, Wis., won the race in a time of 23 minutes, 57 seconds. Cynthia Jerop form St. Paul, Minn., won the women's 8K in 27:01.

After crossing the finish line, the smiles on the runners' faces were unforgettable. The cheers from the family and friends of the runners were electric. After the race, the runners and their families went to celebrate the Fourth of July and celebrate a great race.