This has been one heck of an inaugural year, but I’m not talking about President Barack Obama.
As the primary information gatherer for the Get Out edition, I spend a fair amount of time collecting items for a calendar geared to active, outdoor lifestyles. It can be monotonous but is, I think, an important service. And the experience tunes me in to trends, such as fundraisers for charity. Some are clever, fresh and innovative. Most are formulaic. If I had time to count them all, I’m fairly certain the top three would be oyster roasts, golf tournaments and 5K runs, and not necessarily in that order. I often wonder how anyone can make money off these events because there are so many of each. Lots of people must really like oysters, golf and running because they just keep coming, and the events keep proliferating. As a runner, I enjoy promoting running, but I worry that the charity 5K risks becoming blase, if it hasn’t already, and losing the ability to raise money for worthy causes. In 2008, of the 49 road races in the area, 31 were 5Ks. Seven of those were inaugural events.
So far in 2009, at least 10 new 5Ks have been or will be held.