Coming around the bend to the watching crowd and seeing the rocker is a thrill.
Cuba, MO: Even in the immediate aftermath of the 2010 Route 66 Race to the Rocker, it was a success. Attendance was great: 480 signed up, and 433 showed up to race. Afterwards the town’s restaurants and shops filled. People photographed the murals. A buzz about the Race to the Rocker permeated conversations, and people spoke about “next year’s” race.
This out of town racer visited Cuba's attractions and ate at the Back in the Day cafe. She also enjoyed touring Cuba's murals.
Local people adopted a fitness program to ready themselves for the 2010 race. Lives and bodies transformed as a result. Non-walkers and runners ran and walked. Many volunteers of all ages volunteered to pickup trash pre-race, direct traffic, serve as safety crews, monitor traffic, man water stations, set-up and tear down for the race, etc. Teams formed, including Viva Cuba’s, to run the race.
These three volunteers helped work race registration at Brittons.
To see photos of the race visit Captured by Jessica’s photo site.
In the aftermath of the race, the statistics have come in. JOG,inc. and its sponsors, and participants, raised $12,800 for the track program. The largest purchase is the timing system for track meets, but all the wish list items that JOG, inc was given for the track program should be possible now.
Jeff Bouse of Hayes Family Shoe Store reports 650 pairs of shoes turned in for the Soles4Souls program. He and his wife Dona plan to rent a Uhaul and deliver them at the end of the month to the Nashville, Tennessee warehouse, where they are to receive a tour of the operation.
Having speculated if the Race could handle many more than 500 racers comfortably, I asked race director Brad Austin if they were thinking of limiting the event to 500.
No way.
Plans are already underway for next year’s race, and JOG, inc. held a planning meeting to analyze this year’s race and begin the work for next year’s race. The agenda for the meeting was titled What Was Awesome & What Needs Improvement?
Next year’s plans include the following:
*Make some changes on the registration form to make race results more accurate
*Close both lanes of Route 66 to the Rocker
*On Friday night have a pasta dinner, health expo, and registration pickup at Recklein Auditorium on Smith Street for those who can attend
*More portapotties at the beginning and end of the race
*Streamline the awards portion of the event
*Re-configure where the finish line is at the Rocker
*Improve transportation and access to parking
*Promote the team concept more
*Have special goody bags for the kids
In other words, next year’s race will be bigger and better.
Early race registration… $20; the Race to the Rocker experience… priceless.
It’s an experience…not just a race. Third annual Route 66 Race to the Rocker…Bring it on.
The group gathered under the rocker for the group shot.
Great post, and great race! I can’t wait to visit Cuba again – what a fantastic little town.