The 2016 Gorcum City Run

You know by now, of course, that Gorinchem, where we live in the Netherlands, is endearingly called Gorcum, right?  The 'g' is not a hard 'g' but a gutteral 'g' that ends up sounding more like "HOR-cum."

So, as another unexspected break from our Malta vacation, here's what happened in Gorcum this past Friday, 3 June:  the Gorcum City Run.  It was the first 5K and 10K City Run for our city.

It so happens that Astrid and her running buddy, Jeannette, had both registered for the 5K and were, supposedly, going to have me-time running it together.  Until at the last minute (like 15 minutes before the race start!) I found out that Jeannette's wife, Femke, was planning to watch as a supportive observer!  Did I also want to go?  Well, how could I say NO to that.

Because the race started and ended right across the street from our senior complex,

all I had to do was change from my pj's into presentable clothes.

The race started at 7:15 p.m.

There they are:  Jeannette and Astrid.

Ready and able to start the 5K race...which followed the Kids Run.

So, Femke and I found a seat on the terrace of a nearby café.

(If you squint, that's Femke in the middle-right image, just right of the tree.)

Astrid wore her GPS watch and mapped the route, which they ran twice to make the 5K.

See the citadel of Gorinchem's city center?  Yes, that's where we live.

And the 'X' is where we really live, so close to the start and finish of the race.

Astrid was the oldest woman of the 5K race (age 61) and crossed the line for her medal.

She said she could have done it again for how invigorated she was,
even though she looked exhausted to me.

But Jeannette, at the second time around, did a crazy sprint to get by another runner,

and just about lost it...needing some First Aid assistance till she cooled off.

Thankfully, cool off we all did!

(That's Femke, top-left.)

And then the Triumphants had social-media fun, posting a selfie on Facebook,

checking every 5 minutes to see who saw it.  Maybe more exciting than the medals they won?!

All in all, thumbs up to a fine evening I'm so glad I did NOT miss.
I think we're already getting ready for the SECOND Gorcum City Run, 2017.

We're so lucky to have this right at our fingertips!