Welcome Back, Blossom Run

Runners at the 2019 Blossom Run.

Last weekend’s Door County Half Marathon kicked off the community’s road-race season, which, mostly, has been on hiatus for the past two years. The Door County YMCA Blossom Run is another that’s returning to an in-person event when runners step up to the start line May 14 at Harbor View Park in Egg Harbor. 

“The Blossom Run has always brought our members and community together for a very fun morning,” race director Mary Claire McHugh said of the run, which started 30 years ago as part of the Festival of Blossoms and features three options: a two-mile walk/run, a five-mile walk/run and a one-mile youth fun run. “It’s very exciting to see them all cheer each other on and spend time together.”

The event, whose proceeds go toward the operational costs of Door County YMCA, is more than just another opportunity to run or set a new personal best time, McHugh said. It’s just as much an opportunity to socialize with neighbors and friends.
“Many of the same members and community members run [or] walk year after year,” she said. “It’s all about camaraderie and noncompetitive fun. It’s a great Small Town USA fun run.”

Those looking for more opportunities to put some miles on their running shoes can turn to Run the Door, a volunteer-based race circuit presented by the Door County Silent Sports Alliance and sponsored in part by Bayshore Outfitters. It’s recently released its 2022 race calendar. 

Runners who sign up with Run the Door can score points when they participate in various running events, including the Blossom Run. Then they can earn additional points for placing higher in their age groups or overall, as well as for volunteering. 

It’s free, and the Run the Door committee takes care of tracking runners’ points throughout the season, awarding the top 20 overall participants with pottery awards made by Liz Butler Pottery.Email [email protected] to find out more.