Mother’s Day race co-directors, Suzy Carstater, center, & Teresa Wigham, right, and their running friend, Julia Roussos, left.
Sunday, May 13 is the ERC’s annual Mother’s Day 5K race at Presque Isle State Park (8:30 a.m. at Beach No. 1). I caught up with race co-directors and ERC Board Members, Suzy Carstater and Teresa Wigham, to ask them a few question about this year’s run/walk.
1. You had a huge turnout last year, right? How many are you expecting this year?
563 completed the 5K, about 50 completed the 1/2 mile, the pre-registration seems to be lower than last year and there is a lot of competition for 5Ks this May.
2. Why do you think the race is so popular?
It’s a family event for a lot of people and we see lots of friends who do the race together, just like they sign up together for the Her Times women’s race.
3. Do you see generations of moms/daughters doing it together?
Yes, there are multiple 3 generations, and I think there was a 4 generation family last year.
4. What color is the shirt this year?
It’s bright green with Navy lettering. Here is the tentative design:
5. It it a chipped race?
Finish line may be chipped with a chip on bib if the race grows too big. We leave it up to Jim Lang (Big White Trailer race timing) to decide
6. Is there early packet pick up?
Yes, early packet pick up will be held Saturday, May 12 at Achilles Running Shop, 2309 W. 12th St., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Additional late registration and packet pickup at Beach #1, beginning at 7 am on race day.
7. Are there any special touches?
Finish line water, snacks and chocolate bar from Stefannellis when you finish
8. You’re both moms, right?
We are both Mom’s, my son is now 30 and daughter is now 27. Teresa has a grown daughter who is 24 and lives in Chicago.
9. What is your idea of a perfect Mother’s Day?
SUZY: Perfect mother’s day? Good weather and no race crisis. Hearing from my children and winding down with something cooked on the grill, never eating in a restaurant. I worked my way though school as a waitress and Mother’s Day was always too busy.
TERESA: I will get to spend the rest of the day with my Mom, Sue Riley. My sister, Kelly Riley and niece, Aileen, will be in town, to do the race and have a picnic afterward, served by my husband, Greg.
10. You two co-direct the race. How does that work? Is it helpful to have a co-director?
SUZY: Both Teresa and I have very long days at work and at my pace it takes a lot of time to get my training miles in since I am signed up for Oil Creek 50K. Not sure if I could do this race as well without the help. Also I have a great group of running friends and a supportive husband who will be there to help with anything we need. If ERC is in need of a race director in the future for another race, we could split off knowing the other would help. Our pace challenged running group always has each others’ backs.
TERESA: Awesome! Suzy and I work and run well together. Both of us have volunteered for more race than we participate in, so we were ready to try directing a race. This was our way of easing in and learning the hard way how much work and worry go into putting on a quality race. We could not have a successful race without our family, friends and great volunteers.
