City Loops

On Sunday there was a 5.5K down the street from our house at a horse track. The race preceded the actual horse racing event so it was fun to wrap the experience up in a 2 for 1. For some reason I have been plagued with illness and was not really able to run this time, which turned out to be a good thing as it could not have been any hotter or more humid. It was also a very small race in that most people were smarrt enough to know that it was going to be too hot and grueling as the runners had to run on the track grass making it a little more taxing. Needless to say, I was more than happy to be the picture snapper!
The start...
TJ (in all black) running his first of 5 laps...

Here he is coming in his final stretch...

And his finish...pretty good for this track!

We had two friends running as well, Stefi and Dirk. Dirk finished 4th and then went on to finish the race with his fiance Stefi. He is amazing as it was so hot!
Following the runners was the actual main event for the horses. The trainers brought them out and on a small shaded promenade and warmed them up so the gamblers could check them out and place their bets.

We stayed only for the first heat of the races because due to swampiness of the day, but it was kind of fun. I had never been to a horse race and I had no idea how fast they run! You could hear them around the bend and then saw them pass you in a flash...and they are so beautiful. Here is a shot of them whizzing by...

The track is literally a 10 minute walk from our house and we had no idea. Since it is so close we will probably go back. If not for the race itself, for the outdoor restuarants and biergartens!

Auf Wiedersehen!