Creve Coeur Heart to Heart 5k

On Saturday my running/walking buddy was actually in town for the Creve Coeur Heart to Heart 5k.  Since I live closer to this race, I picked up our packets at the Dielmann Recreation Complex on Friday afternoon.  Packet pick-up options were Thursday and Friday from Noon - 6 p.m. and an hour before the race. This year's shirts were a blue tech material, which I preferred over colors used in previous years. 

I've done this race several times now and for the most part, it tends to start and finish in Millennium Park by BJC West Hospital. Since Millennium Park is under construction and isn't due to debut it's renovated features until June 7th, the start and finish lines this year were at the Creve Coeur City Hall.  Going into race day, we were worried about the forecast but the luckily the race ended up happening in between rain showers.  Before we knew it, the mayor of Creve Coeur sent us off and we ran through a line of cheerleaders from one of the local schools (Creve Coeur is actually split between Ladue and Parkway school districts).

The course wound through more established residential neighborhoods with great shade from mature trees.  There were plentiful water stops and many residents along the course supported runners from the end of their driveways.  Any time my friend is able to join me the time flies by, so this 5k flew by and before we knew it we were done.  

We were handed our medals and we grabbed out post-race food which included bananas, clementines, lemonade, water, and granola bars.  There were less vendors this year but a local chiropractor had a tent as well as State Farm and Orangetheory.  With the race being at city hall this year, I knew that I wanted to grab brunch with my friend at a new restaurant nearby called Oats and Honey Cafe.  Since the race started at 7:30, we finished early enough to grab a table before the restaurant got too busy.  Next year when the race is back at Millennium Park we will probably brunch at The Shack, but my friend really enjoyed her meal this time at Oats and Honey. 

Cloudy skies and humid as we wait for the start of the race

Race shirt and medal

I ordered the Pastor Bagel (pictured below) while my friend ordered the Asada Bagel and both were delicious. Once you order you are brought several conchas, which is a Mexican sweet bread.

What I liked about this race: It is a smaller race but it's a really fun and supportive group of volunteers and vendors.  Whether the race is at Millenium Park or Creve Coeur City Hall, this is the closest race to my home so I love to support this race whenever possible. For being a smaller race, there was a significant amount of time for packet pick-up.  I also like the tech shirts and race medals for this race. 

Cicada status:  The cicadas were far more prevalent along this course but they weren't as concentrated as they were in mid-May.