2025 Swiss Days 10K Race Recap - Midway, UT

Arriving at 6:15 AM -- chilly out!

Official Time: 1:01:26
Placement: 66th overall, 7th in the 50 - 59 age division
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Mid 40's, no wind
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2023] [2022] [2021] [2019] [2018] [2017] [2016]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:42	Right on target. Holding steady. Let's see what this race has to offer
2	9:20	Grinding up a steady hill
3	8:39	Fast mile here. Mostly downhill.
4	9:56	Fatigue setting in. Begin to climb Memorial Hill
5	10:22	Wrap up Memorial Hill. Get a bee sting and heading back down.
6	8.33	Grind uphill then mostly flat until the finish.  Just wanting to be done.
6.64	5:52	Longest finish ever
	Total Miles: 6:64- 1:01:27

Starting line just before the start

Introduction

To kick off the fall racing season -- and to celebrate Labor Day Weekend, I have usually done the Swiss Days 10K race in Midway Utah.  

For the uninitiated, Swiss Days is kind of a big deal.  It draws thousands of attendees who come to enjoy the bucolic Swiss town, enjoy food, entertainment, and buy knick-knacks (as I like to call them).  The Saturday morning's first activity is the 10K race, which takes places on the city streets of Midway.  Although, we are only in the heart of the downtown area for a little before disappearing into the more residential areas.

Last year, the race didn't happen.  They did have a 1 mile race, but there was no way I was going to drive nearly an hour to run a simple 1 mile race.  I think a lot of people were upset.  This year, they did find a race director and someone willing to hold the race -- so the 2025 edition of Swiss Days (and it has been in existence for quite some time) was "on".

First stretch of the course.

The Race

So I quickly found out upon arrival that this was going to be a new course.  There was some road construction coming into town and that construction included some of the race course's roads.  I sort of know Midway, but I only visit once a year.  So I kind of got a gist of the course, but I got the hint that it was going to be a hilly one.

How bad could it be?

After some brief instructions, we took off just a hair after 7 AM.  Like previous years, we headed south on Center Street.  Normally, we hang a right at the first intersection.  And in fact, I saw several runners in the middle of the pack (like me) attempt to make a turn but they were waved off.  The lead pack and many others had gone straight.

Smaller race this year

This was mistake number 1.  We were supposed to make a right. But we went about another 2 blocks before turning right and going down Main Street.  I had never run along here.  And after another block or two, we hung another right and soon I found myself on familiar ground -- just like races in the past.

Despite the confusion, I ran okay -- 8:42 for the first mile.  About what I expected to do.

The mile 1 mile marker showed up about .35 late.  I figured at this point there was an error in laying out the markers, or we indeed missed the first turn.  It turns out, it was the latter and I knew we were in for at least a 6.5 mile 10K.

The stretch from mile 1to 2 is always a challenge. It is definitely work as you make a slight climb.  It is a straight shot and you are surrounded by houses and some farm fields.  Lots of memories came over me from the many years I've run this course.  My pace dropped, but I felt like I was still holding steady.  

Ascending Memorial Hill

Normally at the end of the road we turn left and head towards the Wasatch State Park Entrance.  This year, we hung a right.  I was greeted with the best site ever: sweet downhill where I normally smash the my best mile.

Mile 2, despite the downhill, came in slower than I had hoped -- but not totally unexpected.  A 9:20 this early in the race could be salvaged.

The start of mile 3 was great. I was flying, finally.  I was a little fatigued from all the racing I've done, but this was definitely one of the more enjoyable sections of the race.  The downhill didn't last as long as I hoped, but it did buoy my confidence.

Mile 3 ran up in 8:39. I wanted it to be faster, but I knew my pace was settling back into a normal 10K rhythm.  I also knew that there was a hill up ahead.  If it was the one I thought I was going to encounter, I knew I had better have something left.

I had sort of surveyed my competition at the starting line.  I got the impression, that likely, my age group was stacked.  There seemed to be lot of older guys there.  Despite a fairly low turnout (for this race) I had some hopes of placing, but I also knew that the age groups were 10 year increments.  I was likely going to need a lot of luck to place here.

After about the 5K point, the course headed off the beaten track.  I did pass by an aid station, but it was on the other side of the road and if my memory serves, it was the only aid station in the race.  I wound up not taking anything, although a sip of something would've been nice.

My pace dropped off and sure enough we were heading towards Memorial Hill.  This is a prominent hill that leads to a Veterans' Memorial Marker at the top.  Along the way, visitors are treated to views of the Heber Valley.  I had a feeling sometime in the past I had climbed up to the top, but it had been a long time ago.  Either way, runners run around the circumference of the hill via a dirt road until they reach the top and do a lap around the perimeter before descending.

My pace suddenly dropped to the low 11's. I was in marathon shuffle mode. So much for a bragworthy time.

Mile 4 -- still differing by about .35 of a mile from my watch -- came in 9:56.

Despite the work required to climb this hill (my Garmin is suggesting it was about 250 feet), I was enjoying the views.  It was actually stunning and I whipped out my camera for a photo or two.  At this point, a few seconds off my time wasn't really going to matter.

About this time I had an unusual experience.  I was running along, hugging the inside part of hill, just working my way up, when all of the sudden I was being buzzed by bees.  Lots of them.  Whether they were hornets or wasps, really don't matter, but I seemed to be under attack.  I literally screamed and started frantically trying to brush them off.  I felt a sting in my leg, my arm and my ear.  Fortunately, they didn't follow me and I heard people behind me screaming too.

The summit! Finally.

Long story short, I am told, that a lead runner was doing exactly what I was doing: hugging the corner and brushed against a tree or shrub and disturbed the nest.  And those bees were definitely angry and attacking anyone who got near.

After I got by it, I took stock of my situation.  I was a little "pukey" feeling from the stings and my nerves were rattled.  I took it easy for a bit and got to the summit of the hill.  I did a lap at the top and made my way down.  There was only one way off this hill and it was the way I came.  I figured the best I could do was try and stay to the outside of the hill and get by it as soon as possible. Fortunately, I'd be running downhill.

What a view

Running downhill was so much fun and I took advantage of it.  Perhaps I could close this race out with a fast finish.  I warned everyone I could about the bees on the way down (I wish the other lead runners had warned me as well).  I did manage not avoid them and not get stung anymore.

I crossed the mile 5 marker at 10:22.  All things considered not too bad.

I could see the LDS stake where we'd finish and it seemed so close, yet far away.  Just how long was this course going to be?  The mile markers were still coming up significantly long. I still had plenty of endurance, but I wanted this race to be done.

I was now running back in the residential areas and mostly running alone.  A few other runners were working with me, but it was mostly solo running at this point.  I had pretty much given up hope of an age group placement... but I was still going to go for a fast finish.

I had parked near the mile 6 sign and my car was a welcome sight. I had just run an 8:33 mile.  Some of it was benefited by the downhill, but I still had maintained a pretty good pace in the flat section.

The final turn arrived and I hooked a right. I could see the finish line at the top and I just wanted to cross it.  My ear seemed swollen and parts of my body still felt like it had been stung.  I gave whatever I could in that final quarter mile sprint and just willed myself to finish.  With little fanfare, I sped across the finish line -- in just over an hour.

You can see me finish at this YouTube link.

Conclusion

So this race was kind of a hot mess for me. The extra distance threw my confidence in the tank and getting stung didn't help.  It was just a challenging course and as someone coming in the race somewhat dead legged, it just seemed harder than it should've been.

On the plus side, we had nice weather but running at 5300+ feet made this one even harder.

T-Shirt

Overall, I liked the older course better.  This one had some great views and it was a lot more challenging, but the bee sting incident sort of soiled my experience.  Also, it made it harder to compare myself to other times I've run this race.

Suffice to say, though, I am just glad this race happened.  I really enjoy this race and despite some of the missteps / misfortunes, I'd love to come back. I do think there could've been 1 more aid station and the one around mile 3.2 wasn't accessible, since most of the runners had already jumped to the other side of the street.  I do think that the mile markers were probably accurate if we hadn't missed the first turn.  That being said, I think there could've been some better markings on the course (spray chalk) perhaps.

The t-shirt was an awesome design but it is cotton.  It'll be relegated to weekend wear.  Still a cool one though.  There wasn't a finisher's medal for this race, which is always sort of sad.

Due to the bee situation and the long course, if you knew who to ask, you could score a free breakfast ticket ($10 value), which was awesome.  The breakfast, which kicks off Saturday's Swiss Day events is a good one.

Swiss Days Event Area

Post race refreshments were jam sandwiches, fruit (bananas and oranges), protein fortified drinks, and water.  I definitely missed the gourmet donuts they usually have at the end.

All things considered, I wasn't mad about my race performance.  Given the nature of the course and the adversity I ran into, I want to say I did okay.

I came in 7th in my age group.  I think if I had managed to run a little faster, I could've come in quite a bit higher.  I think the bee sting and a few extra photos cost me a place or two.

Upcoming Races

09/21: 2025 Main Street Fest 5K - Cary, IL (Confirmed)

02/22: 2026 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

03/26: 2026 Mount Charleston Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

2023 Swiss Days 10K Race Recap - Midway, UT

The hill climb near the end of mile 2.

Official Time: 50:45
Placement: 73rd overall, 2nd in the 50 - 54 age division
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Mid 50's, damp, little to no wind
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2022] [2021] [2019] [2018] [2017] [2016]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:04	Decent start. Initial downhill and then a grind uphill
2	9:11	A couple of hills here.  This is the slowest mile of the race
3	8:38	One last hill, then down it and into the flats. Trying to rebound
4	7:50	Love this mile.  Downhill and get back to 5K race pace
5	8:05	Just wrapping up the downhill, but now the flats until nearly the finish.
6	8.29	Grind uphill then mostly flat until the finish.  Just wanting to be done.
6.06	0.25	Sprint to the finish!
	Total Miles: 6:06 - 50:45

Introduction

For many years now, I've been toeing the line at the Swiss Days 10K.  Swiss Days is celebrated Labor Day weekend (the first weekend of September) in Midway, UT.  The day commemorates the city's Swiss heritage.

The city has a massive fair that is very popular, resulting in a lot of people showing up to shop at local craft vendors, eat food, and hear music.  There is also a popular parade.  The event lasts several days and Saturday is always the busiest day of the festival.

The final day of the fair kicks off with a 10K, which has been running for many years now (I heard a rumor from the late 70s).  Usually it is popular with the local high school cross country teams but several hundred people show up for the hilly race -- along with a contingent of kids for the kids' run. It is budget friendly and the course is simply beautiful (but challenging).

Starting area

The Race

The race is an early one -- it starts at 7 AM at a local LDS Stake.  I always get there early to snag a prime parking spot and get settled in.  It is just less than an hour drive from the Salt Lake Valley to Midway and it was raining lightly most of the way.  I think I've run the race before when it was raining prior to the start, but this was probably the most prominent.  

Being one of the first one there, I managed to get my bib in short order.  I did a quick shakeout run and some drills.  I felt okay but not super springy.  I had to keep in mind that I was up about another 1000 feet compared to where I usually live (5300 feet).

The race started about 10 minutes late.  It isn't chip timed and I had managed to jockey myself into a pretty good position.

I started off strong but in control.  I knew the first half of the course was primarily uphill and going out too fast would cost me in the second half.  I had found some other runners who were running a similar pace to mine and I tucked in behind them.

I wanted to get off to a good start, so I pushed it more than usual, netting a fast first mile (8:04).  I had studied my splits from last year and I knew I was ahead of schedule.  Good news, since I was attempting to run better than last year (50:53) and potentially beat my best time (49:40).

Mile 2 is where reality sets in.  This is where the bulk of the hills are on the course.  I felt like I was redlining and my breathing went from "working" to taxed.  I slowed up a bit and the runners who I had passed overtook me.  I felt like the race was slipping away from me but I also reminded myself this was my weakest area and that I would probably rebound once I got through this section.

The nice thing about this part of the race, though, is that you are greeted with some majestic views of the eastern facing Wasatch mountains.  They were cloaked in clouds and there were hundreds of wild sunflowers lining the roads.  Mile 2 came up over 9 minutes -- definitely slower than last year.

I grew a little despondent.  This wasn't going to plan.

I ran a little further up the final hill and was finally greeted with the turn around.  I could've hugged the sign.  Normally I don't run terribly well uphill and my training neglects that aspect -- so when I do run uphill, it is a matter of just getting up it, no matter the pace, and then rebound when I am done with it.  

As soon as I turned the corner, I felt my pace quicken and those that had passed me suddenly found themselves being pursued aggressively by me.  Perhaps I could salvage this race!

Having dealt with the uphill and now getting the downhill, I was okay with getting an 8:38.  Not where I wanted to be, but the worst of the course was now over and the rest of course was primarily downhill.

I began overtaking other runners as I gained confidence in being able to gut out the second half of the race.  We had left the outer limits of the Wasatch State Park and were returning back into the well-to-do neighborhoods of Midway.

Mile 4 was hit at 7:50 -- fabulous! But to be honest, I was expecting to do a bit faster.  At this point, I wasn't sure if I was on pace to meet or beat last year's race.

I kept an eye out for my competitors -- and I wasn't sure what the age divisions were this year -- so anyone over the age of 40 was my competitor.  I was running solo for the most part, but I knew I had masters aged runners behind me.

With about a mile to go, I was still running low 8-minute miles.  I had benefited from the remaining downhill and my confidence was buoyed that I could at least come out ahead this year.

Unfortunately, I hit the skids, so to speak in the last mile.  I knew it would happen.  I was running on flats and my legs were shot.  Last week's downhill race could still be felt and I had used up too much energy on the uphill portion of this race.  One of my competitors passed me and I knew I didn't have anything to keep up with him.  I hoped he wasn't in my age group.  

I knew another runner who I suspected was going to be in my age division was closing in on me.  He was surrounded by several other runners of various ages.  Last year the age division was 50 - 64 (normally it was the typical 5-year splits) so I had no idea where I stood.  Fortunately the race is generous with awards up to 5 deep.  I turned the final corner and I knew the finish line was close, but still far away.  I knew the guy ahead of me was likely unreachable -- I just needed to solidify my position.

The mile markers were mostly off after about mile 3 or 4.  My Garmin's alert usually came in several yards after the mile marker and it was growing with each segment.  The course always comes in around 6.10 but this time I must've really run the tangents well, as I was coming in at a low 6 miles.

In the last quarter mile, I dug down -- recalling all the strides / speed sessions I had done in the months prior to this race.  I knew I could handle it, just get it done for another 90 seconds or so and shave off a few additional seconds.

Finally I crossed the finish line. I put on a brave face though, knowing that the finish line is recorded for YouTube.  So I managed to get past the camera before bending over, hands on knees, gasping for breath.

Done!

All smiles at the finish

Conclusion

So going into the race, I came in with the attitude that this was an "A" race for me.  I was all in and I was striving for the best time possible for this course.  Having run the course a bunch of times and having trained for the 10K most of the summer, I felt that today was a good day to break 50 minutes on this course.

While the weather was great, my body just wasn't ready to smash the course.  I was on vacation for the first 3 days of the week -- eating too much food and I've done so many races of late.  I wasn't rested enough and I am probably heavier than I should be - or want to be.

So I am not totally surprised by today's outcome.

I did, however, manage to finish 2nd in the 50 - 54 age division.  The race has gone back to the 5-year age increments, which are standard for most races.  They also were giving out their giant glass steins as age group awards.  I have a few of them and the 2023 edition will be a nice add to the collection.

Post race refreshments included, bananas, chocolate milk, fruit and of course high-end donuts.  Half the reason why I drive nearly an hour to this race is for the post race donuts.

Mmm.... post race food!

The race did start late, but overall I was happy with my experience.  The price of the race has gone up over the past few years (what hasn't?).  But I love the course and there is a good vibe by all the participants there.  I also like how the race's award system is pretty simple.  Just show your RunnersCard timecard and pick up your award.  

I love the age group award.  The t-shirt, is nicely designed, but it is cotton.  I likely won't wear it much except to bum around the house.  

After the race I did circle the fairgrounds a bit.  It isn't really my thing to shop for that sort of stuff, but I checked it out.  They had a lot of food offerings, but I had made a mini meal on a donut and fruit.  

After last year, I thought this year might be my last year doing this race.  But after this year, I'll definitely be back and hopefully next year I can crack sub 50.

Swiss themed city hall in Midway, Utah

Upcoming Races

09/09: 2023 Cedar City Half Marathon - Cedar City, UT (Confirmed)

09/23: 2023 Witch Run 10K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)

10/07: 2023 Apple Harvest Run 10K - Santaquin, UT (Confirmed)

10/21: 2023 Haunted Half 5K - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

10/28: 2023 Haunted Half 5K - Provo, UT (Can't Make It)

11/18: Snow Canyon Half Marathon - St George, UT (Confirmed)

02/25: 2024 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

04/20: 2024 Salt Lake City Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

07/24: 2024 Deseret News Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

09/07: 2024 Cedar City Half Marathon - Cedar City, UT (Confirmed)

2022 Swiss Days 10K Race Recap - Midway, UT

Official Time: 50:57
Placement: 90th overall, 8th in the 50 - 64 age division 
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Mid 40's, no wind
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2021] [2019] [2018] [2017] [2016]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:16	Off and running. Somewhat congested but being patient
2	8:59	Hardest mile. Mostly uphill.
3	8:34	One final massive uphill and then turn around and let the race really begin
4	7:50	Really fast mile. Gentle downhill. Pushing hard
5	8:03	Still cooking
6	8.27	Now back to the flats with a slight uphill.  Can't wait to be done, but I thought I had run this one faster.
6.11	0.45	Looking good at the finish line.
	Total Miles: 6:11 - 50:57

Race headquarters at the LDS stake.

Introduction

As usual, my Labor Day tradition involves running the Swiss Days 10K race.  I've been running this race consistently since 2016 and year after year it continues to be one of my favorite events of the year.

It is tied in with their Swiss Days celebration -- lots of food, a parade, vendors, and a cultural event celebrating the original settlers to the Park City / Heber / Midway area.

The 10K is usually well attended and competitive and the course is absolutely stunning.  There are beautiful morning views of the farm lands, the Wasatch mountain range, and beautiful houses along the way.  It isn't for the faint of heart.  The course is hilly and the altitude is slightly higher than Salt Lake City - hitting an apex of 5900 feet.

The Race

The race starts early -- 7 AM.  It is chillier on the eastern side of the state -- resulting in a start temperature of about 45 degrees.  There was no wind and the race started a bit after 7 AM with the sun poking over the eastern horizon.

This isn't a chip timed race and it was a free for all once the gun went off.  It actually started with little fanfare -- people just started running.

The race starts off with a short downhill and then a quick right along the fairgrounds. I've run the race a few times now and my strategy was to take the first mile at a solid clip.  I was largely successful at hitting the first mile in 8:16.

The race was populated with a broad range of runners: from high school kids to adults well into my age category.  I figured I had my work cut out for me as I eyeballed potential competitors.

I was still holding back on mile 1.5 to 2.5.  I knew we had a series of hills that culminated with a short but steep one.  There would be a turn around the race would really begin for me.  You get to run down the hill you just ascended and then get a gentle and gradual drop back to the finish.  

As soon as I hit the flip side I found my next gear.

The next mile of the course is absolutely stunning.  You pass by the main entrance to the state park and you are greeted with a golf course, an old wooden fence and just a beautiful countryside.  Fortunately, I was able to drive back to this section of the course and take some more photos.

I was hitting my groove and I knew I was on to a pretty nice race.  I hit mile 3 in 8:34 -- not as fast as I'd like, but I really didn't know how much more I had in the tank.

Mile 3 and 4 saw a fast decline - particularly around mile 4.  I almost felt guilty about effortlessly flying down the hill with the eastern sun blinding me, but I had earned these fast miles.  I actually felt great.  Despite a string of less than great races could I finally rebound on this one?

I was working with a couple of other runners, one who I suspected was in my age group.  He was coaching another runner and talking with one another.  Come on -- talking -- in a race?  I could barely muster a few words.

But it was nice to have the company and someone to work with.  Occasionally I'd want to pass them, but I couldn't sustain an effort.  I kept telling myself to be patient as the downhill section sadly ended.

Around the start of mile 5 we hung yet another right turn and were dumped into a park with a paved, twisty trail down the middle of it.  I knew I was in the home stretch now and I kept glancing down at my watch. How much further?

The final mile and a quarter is through the park and then up a quiet country lane before making a final left turn for the final half mile sprint to the finish. It is a slow uphill again, but nothing too serious.  You really have to dig deep though as by this point you are hurting, you don't have the benefit of the downhill.  I keep focusing on turnover and trying to save something for the final push to the end.  I was a little dismayed though to see the result of my mile: 8:27.  I really felt like I was running an 8;10 - 8:15.

I still had some company with a few other runners as I made the final push to the end. I had a nice turnover and I was pretty close to a 100 second final quarter mile.  

The 2 guys that I was working with got the best of me and I just didn't have enough to attempt a crazy blast by them and I crossed under the RunnerCard banner in just a hair under 51 minutes.

All smiles after the race.

Conclusion

So the good news is I did better than the 10K I did two weeks ago.  This course was at higher altitude and hillier as well.  I felt really strong throughout and I felt like I had raced it well.

The bad news was that they changed the age groupings.  In the past, they awarded nice glass steins in 5 year age increments, 5 deep.  This year, it was 15(!) year increments with a smaller stein.  Womp womp womp.  I finished 8th, just missing 7th by a few seconds (I was correct, the chatty guy I was chasing was in my age group).

If I had run the time I had run last year (49:55) I would've finished 5th, netting an award.

Overall, I was very pleased with my time though.  It's been a struggle since my injury / sickness and smashing this course was a positive in my book.  As I was running it, I felt like it might go down as the race of the year for me.  It is still a contender for it.

Post race refreshments were donuts (Yum!), fruit, milk and drink.  I love the donuts and that is one of the reasons why I keep coming back to this race.  

The shirt is 100% cotton.  I'll use it for short runs and I like the design but I just don't usually like cotton shirts for much of anything.  It was a general gripe amongst other runners I spoke to.  People like the 100% polyester ones and as seen by my picture, I still wear the 2018 edition.

So I paid about $35 for the race. I love this race, I really do. The course is probably my favorite 10K course I've ever done.  But I do feel a bit slighted with the crappy age group divisions.  If you are gonna cheap out on those at least provide a finisher medal / ribbon as a substitute.

However, I have no reason to complain. I love this race, love the course and the process of getting your bib, registering and finding out your results is a snap.  Easy in and easy out.  

I'll be back next year -- with a vengeance!

Upcoming Races

09/17: 2022 Sound of Hope 5K - Riverton, UT (Confirmed)

09/24: 2022 Apple Harvest Run 10K - Santaquin, UT (Confirmed)

10/01: 2022 Witch Run 10K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)

10/22: 2022 Haunted Emigration Canyon 5K - Salt Lake City (Confirmed)

10/29: 2022 Haunted Half Provo 5K - Provo, UT (Confirmed)

11/19: 2022 Snow Canyon Half Marathon - St George, UT (Confirmed)

01/14: 2023 St George Half Marathon - St George, UT (Confirmed)

02/26: 2023 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

04/22: 2023 Salt Lake City Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

08/19: 2023 Rock 'N Roll Salt Lake City Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

2021 Swiss Days 10K Race Recap - Midway, UT

Somewhere around mile 2 of the Swiss Days 10K Course

Official Time: 49:55
Placement: 51st male, 1st in the 50 - 54
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Mid 40's, no wind
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2019] [2018] [2017] [2016]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:23	Off to a decent start. Slight uphill here.
2	8:55	Hilliest section here with 159 feet climb. Surprised I was this slow though.
3	8:21	Crested the dreaded turn around hill and began to pick up the pace
4	7:39	Remembered this part of the course. I was flying downhill!
5	7:55	Still mostly downhill. Fortunately I had enough power to keep the good pace going
6	8.09	Usually I die on this stretch, but I hammered it home.
6.08	0.29	Sprint to the finish
	Total Miles: 6:08 - 49:54

Introduction

Every September, on Labor Day weekend, I like to participate in the Swiss Days 10K race out in Midway. The Swiss Days festival is a big deal for this bucolic farm town on the other side of the Wasatch Mountains (from Salt Lake City).   The festival is a town celebration with cultural music (Swiss) and local talent.  Also they serve food, typical fairgrounds snacks, and an assortment of vendors selling arts and crafts.  The turn out on this festival is absolute huge and it is a big deal for the area.

It is growing up fast, but there is still a lot of charm left.  Lots of big lots, expensive houses and just incredible views.  It is one of the reasons why I keep coming back to this race. It is probably my favorite 10K race course.  It doesn't mean it is an easy one, but it certainly is scenic.

The Race

The race is an early starter - at 7 AM.  It is still chilly by the time you roll in for the start.  I am glad I brought a jacket.  I was one of the first to arrive so I got a really nice parking spot close to the race headquarters -- at the LDS church.  Packet pickup was a snap and I was ready to race in short order.

I wound up doing some drills, some strides and a fairly easy running to warm-up.  My hands were cold and I was sort of wishing I had some thin gloves to wear.  But I knew once the race started, I'd be fine.  Most people felt the same -- and I went with shorts and a dry-fit t-shirt.

The race started promptly at 7 AM and we were off running down Center street towards the fairgrounds.  

The race isn't chipped time, so I had assembled up near the front with the rest of the runners -- which seemed to be primarily high school aged runners.  Due to Covid-19 though, I suspect this year's attendance was a little less.  I haven't looked at the official numbers compared to previous years, but it seemed there were less runners.

The race is run entirely on village paved roads.  There isn't a lot of traffic and the few spots that you do have to contend with traffic was marshalled.  Also it should be mentioned that Midway sits at over 5600 feet, so elevation is something to consider.  This course also could be described as hilly -- but what you climb, you get to come down on.

The first 2.5 miles or so are pretty much uphill.  The first mile is a bit of a grind.  There are some hills here but none of them are back breakers.  You have some folks cheering for you at this point too, since we are still in town.  But it is mostly quiet running along the sleepy roads.  

I was trying to gauge who I was running against -- the awards for this race are generous -- at 5 deep for 5 year age increments (turns out it was 3 deep this year).  In years past I've gotten something in my age group and other times I've just missed out.  Instead of medals for awards they give out glass steins emblazoned with a Swiss Days sticker.  I've gotten a few of them over the years and I treasure each one.

About mile 3.25 of the Swiss Days 10K

I was a little humbled to see an 8:23 on my Garmin for the first mile.  I felt that I was running slightly faster than that but I told myself to be patient.  I know the great miles were ahead.  I just needed to get through the hilly section.

Mile 2 was even more humbling.  This is the hilliest stretch and it is a grind.  Again, I felt like I was running faster than my Garmin reported (8:55).  However, at this point the course gets even sexier.  You have left town and are approaching the Wasatch State Park area.  The views of the towering Wasatch mountains in the early morning are stunning.  However, it was hard to appreciate them given how hard I was running.

About mile 3 of the Swiss Days race

Mile 3 is where the fun starts.  Yes, the first half is uphill and the course takes you on a climb up a short and steep hill. Then at the top, you run beyond it a ways and round a traffic cone before coming flying down the hill.  Why can't they adjust the course to not do this?

I knew I was running pretty well after seeing a bunch of speedy high school kids coming in the other direction.  I was eyeballing the competition and felt like there were a few guys that could've been in my age group.  I was working off of one guy and every time I got a little ahead of him, he'd catch up and run with me.  However, once I rounded the turn around cone I threw it into another gear and kept on going.

Mile 3 saw an 8:21 come up.  I know I had been aided and hindered by the turn around hill.  And I remember from previous years just coming to a screeching halt in this area -- having been worn out by the hill.  But my legs were still ticking over and I knew the next 2 miles were down hill.  Could I make up some of the time that the hills had cost me?

The race had thinned out at this point but I was still working off a variety of people. From a mother encouraging her speedy junior high runner along, to high school kids.  Once I hit the downhill, I really hit it home.  Again, I was feeling very strong and was aggressively going for whatever I had.

I was actually stunned to see a 7:39 come up.  Wow! A 5K mile pace at mile 4?!?!  Granted, I was flying down a hill, but in years past I had hit the low 8's on this mile.  And I still felt like I had gas in the tank.

Mile 5 gets you back towards town and the route is now fairly flat.  Again, this is another part where I start hurting and I've got absolutely nothing left.  Also there is a small stretch where you are running up a long but not so tall hill.  It isn't in a very exciting part of the course either and at this point you are hurting and are so close to the finish line.  I had a few people behind me and those that were ahead were several hundred yards in front.  

I kept imaging the people behind me as in my age group.  I didn't want to verify that they were, but it made me push a lot harder.  My leg turnover wasn't great, but cardiovascularly I felt awesome.  

Occasionally I glanced at my watch and saw that my pace was around 8:30, but I felt like I was running faster.  "Lies!" I thought.  I inched up the pace as I could see the final finish line banner ahead.

A pair of runners flew by me and I was crestfallen because one of them looked to be my age.  There was no way I could outsprint him.  The other one was clearly not in my age group -- probably half my age.  But I lost two positions in the last 5 seconds of the race.

I hit the final mile at 8:09 -- a fantastic time for me and finished in 49:55.  Definitely breaking my personal best on this course by over 2 minutes.

Conclusion

So no finishers medals on this one.  But I did wind up winning my age group.  So I got to collect the 2021 glass stein to add to my collection.  I was so relieved to have placed actually.  I had worked hard for every second and I was really worried that I wasn't going to place.  I would've lived had I not, but it is rewarding to win something.

One thing I really like about this race is that they have epic post race donuts.  I think they are made by a local vendor and they are definitely an upgrade from your typical donut experience.  I could've made a meal out of them and celebrated my victory by grabbing 2 of them.  They also had fruit, sports drink and water.  Also, to wash down the donuts, they had chocolate and plain milk.  This is one of the best post race spreads.

The shirt I got, unfortunately, was a cotton one -- and also it was an extra large youth size.  I tried it on and it felt like it was squeezing my innards. It'll get donated.  I definitely miss the tech shirts they used to give out.

Performance-wise I did great.  Yes, this isn't a PR setting 10K for me.  The course is hilly and I am at higher elevation.  That being said though, I did break 50 minutes on this course and my best time was about 3 to 4 years ago with an upper 51 minute race.  Again more improvement from me.

I simply love this race. There is a good crowd and I love seeing all the high school kids participating.  I knew a few people there and this race is probably one of the prettiest 10K courses out there.  I am already looking forward to next year.