Race Review - Holy COW Trail Stampede

It may come as a surprise to some, but this was actually my first straight up foot race. Every other race I've done has had some sort of element thrown in. Vampires chasing me, mud, pumpkins and various other obstacles. This was also the first time I've been passed in a race by a guy pushing a baby stroller.

It's apparent that COW (which stands for City Of Westminster) has been doing this awhile now. The Holy COW Trail Stampede race is a small (just under 300 racers) event. One guy we talked with before the race was surprised 4 non-locals had even discovered it. But this race is well organized. Registration was painless and start start times were right on the nose.

The Holy COW has two options, 5k and 10k, with the 10k heat leaving five minutes before the 5k. It's a pretty simple course consisting of a down and back style run, where you turn around at the halfway point and run back to the start/finish. The trail is a concrete path that winds through the city park, over and under a couple bridges with very little elevation change.

Passing by Dave after the turn around.

I ran the 5k and made it down in back in 26:40 which earned me 2nd in my group (M 30-39) and 38th out of 194 overall. Not spectacular, by any means, but better than I expected. The timing was spot on as well, with the race clock matching my buddy's stopwatch down to the second. The quickest time posted for the 5k was 17:13 and 35:33 for the 10k, proving that there are some serious runners in Westminster.

This race is also very inexpensive, with entries being only $25 and that includes a shirt. Or you can pass on the shirt and register for a measly $20. This event also kicks of the start of the Westminster City Faire and is a family friendly event with no age limits. All in all a great experience and fantastic organization.