World’s Largest Corn Maze Run Race Report (2011)
The Corn Maze “5K” is definitely becoming one of my favorite silly races to do! I ran it last year with Steven, his brother Andrew, and Erin. This year, Andrew and I ran it, and Steven spectated (and Erin was out of town).
I put the 5K in quotations because this course doesn’t seem to be a full 5K. It was short last year, and the organizer said (on Facebook, not their website) it would be a full 5K this year, but everyone (from my running club) came up short on their Garmins (Andrew had 2.93 and I had 2.67). I understand that we should not rely on our Garmins for course distances, and especially races run with hundreds of turns in a corn maze… but I just don’t think it’s a full 5K. And I honestly don’t care – I’m just out there for fun on this one! But my overall time was 30:19, and I don’t want you to think I ran a actual 5K in a corn maze in that time. I think that would be really fast for my fitness level right now. Anyway. Moving along.
It was raining when we woke up yesterday morning. I don’t mind running in the rain, but luckily it stopped and we had a bit of sun for the race.
Last year, this race was not chip timed, and everyone had to line up in order of their bib numbers to start. Then they let one person start the race every 3 seconds. This year, they had ankle bracelet style chip timing, and everyone was assigned a group based on their time (6 minute milers in group 6, 7 minute milers in group 7, etc.). The called the groups and then you got in line (and one person still went every 3 seconds). The lines were a bit unorganized (you can see the line below) – it was hard to tell who was in which group and where you were supposed to stand – but it all worked out and wasn’t stressful.
(click to see larger)
As soon as we started the race, I thought about how I was really happy it was not raining. The path we were running on was all dirt, but it was soft and muddy from the morning rain! We were slipping around as it was. I cannot imagine how much more slippery it would have been if it was raining!
Andrew and I had fun running through the corn maze, chatting, avoiding tripping, going up and down stairs (three sets) and looking for Steven in the observation tower.
I didn’t get any pictures of the tower this year (you can see it here) but that is where Steven hung out for the whole race. He got a lot of cool pictures of us running through the maze, and of my running club buddies running through it too. I hope he had fun watching the race from up there. It seemed like it would be fun!
(click to see larger)
It was the same temperature as the day before when we started (mid 40s) but I quickly got too hot in my arm warmers (which had worked so well the day before)! I guess those are only for windy/really cold days. I took them off and tucked them in my shorts but they fell out (oops) so I carried them the rest of the way.
It’s really fun to run through the maze, because you have no idea where you are, or where you are headed. You are just surrounded by tall corn, and feel kind of dwarfed by it all. You would think it would be boring or frustrating, but it’s actually exhilarating! Every once in awhile, when the maze opens up a bit, or you’re up on one of the stairs and you get a sense of the enormity of the maze, it’s really exciting!
We finished (Andrew in 30:16, me in 30:19 – I started 3 seconds before him) got some yummy snacks and watched other running club members finish. I think two of our club members actually placed in their age groups!
Steven and Andrew and I purchased some kettlecorn and hot apple cider after we watched our buddies finish. The hot apple cider was perfect because I became cold (and put my arm warmers back on) as soon as we finished the race.
I think I will be back again to do this race next year. The course is fun in a silly and unique way. The race shirt is great, and so is the spread afterward (similar to last year, a bit unorganized, but I can deal with that).
P.S. Happy 55th birthday Daddio!
Themocracy
That race sounds so fun!!
That race sounds like so much fun!
Did you hear about the family who got lost in a corn maze and ended up calling 911?
Yeah… I thought that was pretty ridiculous.
That race always sounds like a lot of fun! Looks like you and Andrew really had fun! Maybe I’ll run it with you next year ; )
You should. Then you would get to meet Andrew too! 🙂
I really wanted to do that one this year (but couldn’t fathom smashing one more thing into the weekend). I’m glad it didn’t rain on you! I was thinking about you yesterday morning 🙂
I think I said this last year….I want to do that race next year! 🙂
Looks like a ton of fun!
I feel like I would get lost in a corn maze race. Sounds fun tho!
This sounds like a lot of fun! I wouldn’t care about it being short either.
This looks like so much!!! Being from a small town, a corn maze in the fall was one of the highlights of the season! 😉 I have to do it next year!
*so much FUN!!! In my excitement, I completley left out a whole word. 😉
That looks llike a really fun race to do. I loved the pictures taken from the tower.
I wish there was a race like this here. I mean, I guess I could have just gone to the corn maze down the street and run through it, but its not really the same. 🙂
I love the picture at the very top of this post! What a great shot! 🙂
Andrew looks like he’s got one of those Brian Wilson beards growing there.
Cool photos. And that is a big corn maze.
The first picture is awesome. That looks like a good time, a nice pressure free race. It’s a cool concept, almost makes me want to leave my city bubble and head to the burbs for some neat activities!
Ahhh, the “5K” strikes again 🙂 Good thing this race is still fun and unique! I always think it’s a great race to have right after the marathon. Totally pressure free 🙂