10/14/2017

Bowman Cup 5K

Kent, Ohio

Gretchen Snyder

3rd place overall female alumni

2nd place age group

51st overall

Course PR

Finish time 23:10

Scott Orlando

4th place age group

39th overall

Course PR

Finish time 21:53

Race Review by Scott Orlando

The Bowman Cup 5K race is part of Kent State’s homecoming celebration weekend.  The race is in its 17th year.  This was the first year out of 6 that I have participated where the weather was actually decent for running.  Race time temperatures hovered in the low 60’s with just a slight breeze.  The course continues to be the same as in years past and features a fast flat first mile followed by some sneaky slight incline in the second and third mile.  You can’t really see much of the incline, but runners can certainly feel it grinding away on their legs in the final two thirds of the race.  This year a lot of runners achieved course records do to the unusually nice running conditions.  The course field was relatively small compared to most years.  typically this race draws 500 – 600 participants, but this year dipped down to around 300 runners and walkers.  I think the drop in participation has to do with the number of new races offered the same weekend.   In the past runners received tech shirts, football tickets, and some sponsor promotional items.  This year runners received basic t-shirts and a race bib.   The race swag and value of this race needs to improve to compete with the increased competition of the new races on the schedule.  Overall it continues to be a nice well organized event.