Stars and Stripes 5K

This 5k was especially fun because we ran through the local streets of downtown Concord, and then ate pancakes when it was over. It was great to hear our names being called as we crossed the finish line. After catching our breath and wiping off our brows, we bought a plate of delicious breakfast for $ 5 — wonderful sausage and juice was the perfect way to refuel our energy.
There was a good turnout for this early-​morning, holiday event. Many people dressed festively. Even the A’s mascot, Stomper, showed up — and Uncle Sam! It was a great day and started early enough that it wasn’t super hot yet. Volunteers gave us water at one-​mile intervals. When it was all over we sat and waited for the parade to come through Todos Santos Plaza. We had our choice of seats on the sidewalk since we finished the run about an hour before the parade started.

At the end of every 5k my husband and I hold hands as we run through the finish line. (Ok, I know, I know… cheezy…but I love it.) This was the first 5k my husband and I have run where our names were called as we crossed the finish line together. It was so cool to here the announcer say: «And here come Amy and Casey (P) from Concord». We met our goal of completing another 5k, once we’d only registered for the day before.
I found out about the 5k in my hometown a few days before it was to take place. I didn’t mind paying the higher entry fee (it was still only $ 30) but it did mean we couldn’t pay $ 7 extra for the nicer, non-​cotton shirts. We did still get a goody bag filled with tons of great stuff! Thanks to all the nice sponsors.
The CPD organized this event. If you missed the online registration deadline, you could still register in person at the police department the day before the event. I sent my husband to do this and he said it was an easy process.
On the morning of the 8am run (Happy 4^th of July), we parked at Todos Santos Plaza and listened to the clear voice of the announcer over the loud speaker. We even saw the A’s mascot: Stomper! Then 3−2−1… we were off! We ran a mostly flat course around Concord near the downtown plaza, high school, and John Muir hospital. A BART driver honked and waved at us as the train flew by. It was so much fun. The water station volunteers were friendly and many of the police men and women that stood with volunteers around the course cheered us on.
We walked and ran and enjoyed watching the families around us. A 40 minute finish wasn’t very competitive, but we were just there to have fun. Some people brought dogs, which were not allowed. And we also saw lots of strollers, which were allowed. So it was definitely a family event, and the no-​dog rule wasn’t really enforced. Saw some kids on scooters as well.
After the run we bought breakfast for a $ 5 per plate donation for two pancakes and two sausages and a juice. A parade followed the 5k at 10 am, so we had to wait around a while for that to start, but it was nice out and we talked with other runners and families. Thanks CPD for helping to organize this event. We heart Concord.

2013 was the 4^th annual Concord Police Association’s July 4^th «Stars and Stripes» 5K. I am so glad that I chose a hometown event that supports the Monument Crisis Center (
) for my first 5K!
The event was well coordinated with good communication by the planners before and after. It was especially nice that we could pick up our bibs and such the day before. The volunteers, of which there seemed to be a ton, were all extremely supportive and helpful. Since the course goes mostly through neighborhoods (with streets closed) it was also nice to see so many people outside their homes, cheering everyone on. A special gratitude shout out to the family who were standing outside their house at the top of a big hill on the route, pumping disco hits and offering to hose us down. You, my fellow Concordians, are wonderful people.
After completing the 5K, we stayed in Todos Santos Plaza, grabbed our usual spot on the patio at EJ Phair and enjoyed the parade.
One area for possible improvement…
The event continues to grow each year (there were over 600 people registered this year) so it would be nice if they added wave times to pace out the participants, especially to get the runners in front of the walkers.
I’m looking forward to participating again next year!