I was given one of the coolest opportunities ever this weekend. Thanks to Jeff for offering a spot in the pace car on Saturday. This may not seem like a big deal, but to a running junkie, this was certainly something I consider a great privilege. While I decided not to run the race this year, riding in the pace car was a neat alternative.

Sitting in the back seat, looking out the station wagon back window, I yelled out the leader splits to the three guys riding along with me. The mishmash of us consisted of a reporter, a Sportsbackers volunteer (Don, I think) and the Brooks-Hansons coach of Josh Mullens. I felt like I was part of the group as they bantered back and forth about predictions and assessed each runner’s strengths. It was a refreshingly comfortable environment, in which it wasn’t dorky or weird to let others know that you religiously track the pro racing circuit. While it’s cool to follow football or NCAA basketball, I often get strange looks or more often blank stares when I start expressing my enthusiasm for following track and road racing stats.

All of us just stared out the back, our eyes glued on the leading pack. While about eight guys, including a few former Olympians, hung for the first mile (about 4:40 which is not super fast), the pack turned into two groups after the second mile. Three guys, including Abdi, Dan Brown and ??? another dude ran on each other’s tail until the turnaround. At this point, the race came to Dan and Abdi until mile five. Dan has a great kick, so Abdi knew he had to plug into another gear early near the end. At mile five, Dan looked like he was struggling and Abdi pretty much had the race locked up.

It was fascinating to be staring these incredible athletes right in the face, picking up every facial cue and body movement, so much that it was not difficult to tell when someone was feeling good or bad or ready to handle a surge.

The opportunity to be a part of the big day, where all of Richmond comes out to participate in some way or form is always so much fun. The city and race organizers seem to make the race better each year, even though I cannot imagine how it could improve. They always think of something. This year, the Men’s 10k National Champs created twice the energy and fun.