On Sunday morning August 19th Oronoco began a new tradition. Oronoco residents put together their first 5K and had it coincide with the Downtown Oronoco Gold Rush Days. Many participants registered months in advance, and some registered on Thursday evening at the Oronoco Presbyterian Church. The last to decide came to Oronoco at 7 o’clock am to register to walk or run the 5K.
As the people arrived the energy of Oronoco rose with excitement. Many showed up with their children and others had a buddy or came alone. All came ready to have a good time.
As they began to form a crowd more and more of the Gold t-shirts dotted the street. And the weather could not have been more co-operative. The race was scheduled to begin at 8 am. and there was a pleasant breeze.
We call this a tradition even though this was the first year that Oronoco sponsored a 5K. And for such a small town the turnout was good. The path they would travel began on the North side of the bridge where the old dam used to be.
After crossing the bridge and making their way up Minnesota Ave the group moved into a residential neighborhood, and followed a paved path through the woods along the Zumbro River.
The path is lined with yellow flowers 5 foot tall. By the time the group gets to this part of the run there are wide gaps between the runners and walkers. There are runners who came to beat their own time, from a run done somewhere before Oronoco. For others who are bringing up the rear, they have no intention of hurrying this moment. They are relaxed and enjoying all of the beauty Oronoco presents.
So if you didn’t make it to Oronoco’s first 5K now would be the time to consider joining us the next time. And if you have never been to Oronoco it is time to Start…..
Make a trip to Oronco one of the items on your list of “must do’s” so next time you will be here for the line up. Besides this 5K, and the Downtown Oronoco Gold Rush Days, we have a Frisbee golf course, a river to contemplate, and the Oronoco City Park for camping. Many parks have playgrounds for the kids, and in the winter the Lions Club puts up the walls for the basketball court to become an ice skating rink.
Yes Oronoco, just North of Rochester is growing into a “big, little town” where we treasure our visitors, along with our fellow residents.