Braveheart 5-K

Martha and I both ran this race last year, billed as "Franklin's most challenging 5K course." The hills are indeed challenging, especially in the final mile.  But it was a clear morning and the temperature stood at 63 degrees, unusually cool for mid-June in Franklin.  As its name indicates, the race is part of the annual Scottish Festival and includes a parade, crafts, Scottish fare, border collie herding contest, and other fun activities.  Some of the officials were dressed in authentic garb, and a bagpiper stood on Main Street and played just before the start.

We had arrived in plenty of time for Martha to warm up, and I enjoyed catching up with several runners who were there - Russell, Brad, and Gustavo - before the race started.
 

The bagpiper droned on, and then the Race Director gave the command to start; in true Braveheart fashion, someone shouted "Freedom!" at the top of his lungs, and then the runners were off.

As I have noted before in these posts, it is an odd feeling being on the support team, standing and waiting with other friends and family members after all the runners have turned the first corner, imagining the difficult struggle they are undergoing, the steep hills and the fatigue building up in tired legs, while at the empty finish line all is quiet and calm.  It is a role that Martha gladly filled for me before she began running and racing and which I am happy to fill for her these days.  It brings to mind John Milton's Sonnet 19:

Thousands at his bidding speed
And post o'er the Land and Ocean without rest:

They also serve who only stand and wait.

So I stood, and waited, until after 17 minutes or so the first runner appeared on Main Street, far ahead of all the rest, a lean young man loping along as if he were out for an easy jog.  Then came the second, and the third.  Our friend Brad was seventh overall, a good time for a 51-year-old.  And in ninth place was Gustavo.  Martha arrived a little ahead of when I had expected, finishing in a time of 29:57, good enough for second place and, even more satisfying, a little faster than her time last year.

The awards ceremony was held promptly after the last runner came in, an elderly woman pushing a walker and receiving more applause than the first place finisher.  All of the Highlands runners placed, Brad and Gustavo taking first place in their age groups.

I remembered the very impressive and moving ceremony for the first place male and female runners from last year.  The winner is asked to kneel on a stool, and he repeats the oath of a knight, and this time I was able to record it verbatim:

A knight is sworn to valor.
 

His heart knows only virtue.

His blade defends the helpless.

His might upholds the weak.

His words speak only truth.

His wrath undoes the wicked.

His knowledge will defeat ignorance.

His skills will be taught to the willing.

His temper shall be held by patience.

He will give aid to those who seek it.

He will ask aid when needed.

In the name of St. Ninian, St. Columba, and St. Andrew,

I knight you Sir Nathan Richards.

I try to avoid the subject of politics in this blog, but I could not help but reflect how much better we would be if our political leaders swore this stirring oath on bent knee when taking office, and actually lived these words.  These are indeed words that all of us should live by.  Nathan, along with the first place female, was then presented with an impressive sword.  What a trophy! - far more impressive than any I have ever won. 

I was asked by some of my friends at the race why I was not running today.  I have to admit being envious, especially because it was such a beautiful morning and such perfect conditions for running.  But it was a joy, as always, to watch Martha cross the finish line.  I ran this race last year and God willing will run it next year.