Robertson one of few runners to race in each Fifth Season event

CEDAR RAPIDS - Dallas Robertson is in a very select group of people.

The Iowa City runner has tallied an amazing amount of miles the last three decades and has run in 17 different states, but that wasn't all Sunday.

Robertson was one of the eight participants registered for the 25th Annual Alliant Fifth Season 8K race who had run in each of the previous Fifth Season events since it began in 1986.

“In the 80s when it started it was the most competitive race this time of year other than Bix,” Robertson said. “I've always sought out the most competitive races.”

The Fifth Season was a race Robertson circled on his calendar and set his sights on each summer. Runners could count on the race each year and it succeeded because of its consistency. It was an event he said he had hoped would flourish after the inaugural competition and be around for many years.

“It's nice to have some known things in life, because life has so many unknown things,” Robertson said. “This particular race has always been one for a lot of people to focus on. Therefore, it gives you something to look forward to and train for.”

The 53-year-old mechanic at the University of Iowa has done plenty of training over the years. Robertson said he has logged more than 172,000 miles, running twice daily including a seven-mile morning run and nine to 15 miles at night. He estimates he runs about 120 miles a week.

For 35 years, Robertson has trained the same way, running the same routes and same mileage. He has been very competitive in road races, entering 10 each year, which was as high as 30 to 40 when he was younger. He earned numerous awards in competition and the Fifth Season race has remained one of his stops. The competitive spirit stays strong even if his body doesn't respond exactly how it did previously.

“I'm not near the level I used to be,” said Robertson, who began running after high school to get into shape. “I can't seem to push my body the way that I used to.”

Robertson's legs will continue to rack up miles, shooting for 280,000-mile mark he said a 73 year-old man has surpassed. He plans the Fifth Season 8K to keep adding to future totals.

“As long as I'm alive and this race keeps going I'll be here,” Robertson said. “Barring something unforeseen.”

Robertson ran to a time of 34 minutes, 15 seconds, placing 11th in the men's 50-55 division. Other runners who have competed in each of the Fifth Season events, according to race officials are 60-year-old Barry Sweet (48:11), Dave Beastrom (45:07) and David Novak (49:16), all of Cedar Rapids, Marion's Randy King (41:52) and Belle Plaine's Tim Squiers, 48, who placed seventh in the 45-49 division with a time of 32:39.

“This is a very high quality event,” Robertson said. “Over the years, the race organization, the quality of the field (and) the general attitude of Cedar Rapids, really has made this the event that it is.”