2018 The Glo Run Night Race 5K
On June 23rd at Welcome Stadium, runners light it up at the 5th annual Dayton Glo Run. New options for this years race distances included a 5k, 10k, or Half Marathon, either a chip timed event or fun run.
After finishing 3rd overall female at the 5k the past two years I came back to improve my time, and attempt another top finish.
Packet Pick Up was at Up and Running, where I received a t-shirt, headlamp, and bib. I did not pay extra for any extra Glo this year. Instead I bought my own rechargeable LED shoe clips on Amazon.
There was a last minute pre-race pick up option well, for those who needed it, but it was not recommended.
I opted not to wear my headlamp, because I didn’t like the way it fit. I did, however break the rule of not wearing new gear, with a new tank top and the led shoe clips I had not previously tested.
The 5k and 10k race started at 9:40 pm at Welcome Stadium, where runners lined up according to pace. First in the chute were the 6 and 7 minute milers. There were only a handful of guys in this group and I did not see any other woman. I can run a 7-1/2 minute pace so I lined up with the 7 minute group and ended up toward the front. Next the 8 minute milers were called to line up, followed by the 9 minute pace, and so on until everyone was lined up and ready to go.
Runners turned on their headlamps, for a quick instagram video of everyone at the starting line. After a countdown the gun was fired and we were off.
I was the leading woman for almost half the race with a 7:11 first mile. I was passed by 2 woman right before the turn around, and a third woman who seemed to cut me off at the turn around and may have cut the course. 
This is an out and back course that exits the stadium and runs across the bridge and down the street, before returning and finishing with a loop around the track.
With a time of 24:15, I was the 4th Overall Female finisher. I was pushed back to 5th place, by another woman with a faster overall time who finished behind me.
The top three finishers were not announced this year. I received a finishers medal and a second medal for 2nd place in my age group.
The Glo run is put on by a Chicago based company All Community Events, and markets this race on OhioRuns.com. In my opinion it is slightly overpriced for a 5k and each year seems to include less Glo. There were glowing arches that we started and finished under, and a glowing mile mark at mile 1.
I will most likely run this race again simply because I enjoy running at night, and of course there is always the possibility of another top finish or win.
Run Cari 