Race review: Silver Spring Earth Day 5K

April 19, 10:51 AMDC Running Fitness ExaminerAmy Reinink

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Me (left), my Pacers buddies and Bernie Salazar (No. 1).

I spent my morning running through downtown Silver Spring and along the lovely, leafy Sligo Creek Parkway, meeting Biggest Loser contestant Bernie Salazar and being inspired by runners including an 81-year-old man who finished his bajillionth 5K, a 12-year-old girl who finished her first 5K and a dude who passed me despite running with a double baby jogger (that's two babies).

Not a bad way to start a Sunday morning, huh?

It all happened at the first annual Silver Spring Earth Day 5K, sponsored by Pacers Silver Spring. It was a wonderful, well-planned race that included great giveaways, from an organic T-shirt to really excellent Feetures! bamboo socks and a great course that ended with a hill one participant described as "murderous." This was, of course, a compliment.

The race benefited The Nature Conservancy, and organizers said they were happy with the money the race raised for the organization. Check out the Conservancy's race recap here. We had perfect weather and a good turnout. A bunch of my Pacers buddies won age-group awards. And Bernie Salazar, who lost 130 pounds on Season Five of NBC's Biggest Loser, was on hand after the race, helping to hand out awards, shake hands and generally add an air of celebrity to this brand-new hometown race. 

Not a bad way to start a Sunday morning indeed.