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KEARNS — When runner Wan Kou looked at his temperature gauge on New Year’s morning, it read a frigid 1 degree. Running in the cold does not often deter this dedicated runner.
On this freezing day, Kou was glad that this morning’s run would be spent indoors. And so were 360 other runners.
On the morning of Jan. 1, event organizers at Extra Mile Racing opened the Olympic Oval in Kearns from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. for their annual “New Year’s Revolution” and invited runners and walkers alike to see how many laps they could complete in the time allotted.
Some stayed for the entire time, while others came at their leisure and left when they felt they had met their goal. All participants, however, were encouraged to start off the year on a healthy note, and more than anything, having a good time.
For 50 of those runners, that “good time” consisted of running 95.5 laps, which equalled the distance of a marathon (26.2 miles). Doing so earned them the coveted, and well-deserved, yellow shirt.
The marathon distance wasn’t enough for some, however. The 5 hour time frame allowed many ultra-runners like Zac Marion the chance to keep going to nearly the 40-mile mark.
“There is no other race in the state where, regardless of fitness level, distance, pace or goals, you are able to see the same familiar faces time and again throughout the day," Marion said. "The amount of camaraderie and support that you are able to both give and receive on the track is something that makes this race both unique and special.”
Many participants saw the event as a great way to spend time as a family.
Rendee Freimuth’s 7- and 11-year-olds ran a 5K. Then, without being asked, stepped over to the aid station and started handing out water for the next hour. Freimuth said they want to make the race a family tradition.
Rachel Moody, who has run the race since it began, spent many laps this year with her daughter, who completed more than 17 miles.
Andrea Bird, who came to the race with her husband, loved that they could each run their separate paces but still got to see and cheer each other on.
Event volunteer, Shaylee Hurst, who has competed in the event before, mentioned naysayers who think it must be awful to run around a track so many times.
“The Revolution Run was anything but awful,” she said. “Volunteering at yesterday's race gave me a unique perspective … I got to watch the runners come together and support each other in ways they can't do in a traditional loop or out-and-back racecourse. I saw runners get tired and weak but found the strength to persevere as they passed by friends cheering them on. I saw pregnant women fighting through fatigue and discomfort."
One such expectant mother, Allison Robins, signed up for the race knowing she would be nearly 36 weeks pregnant on race day. Robins did so knowing she could run or walk as much as she wanted to; she wouldn't have to commit to a certain distance, and a restroom would always be nearby.
“It was perfect for me because I could still participate in a race and be a part of the atmosphere without any of the other race pressure," she said.
The mom-to-be completed 48 laps, equalling a half marathon.
"This event was my slowest half marathon other than my very first half, but I did not care," Robins said. "I was so proud of myself for running a half marathon almost 36 weeks along. I felt so much support from my running friends, some I hardly even knew, and some I have known for years. It was such a fun and social running event, and it was the perfect way to start the new year."
When all was said and done, 360 participants completed more than 20,000 laps, with 51 full marathons and 206 half marathons. Event organizers agreed that it was "an amazing way to start 2015."
Arianne is a mother to six young children. Her down time is spent running the mountain trails of the Wasatch Mountains and beyond. Contact her at ariannebrown1@gmail.com, follow her on Twitter @arimom6 or search her Facebook page, "A Mother's Write."
