GRRRR, wellness fair planned for Oct. 2
The Great River Road - Road Race (GRRRR) will be held this year on Saturday morning, Oct. 2, at Pikes Peak State Park near McGregor. New this year, there will also be a GRRRR wellness fair at the MFL MarMac Middle School, from 8 a.m. to noon. (Times-Register file photo)
Register now to participate in race, be a vendor
By Audrey Posten, Times-Register
Get ready to walk or run in a beautiful setting at the Great River Road - Road Race (GRRRR). The iconic fall event, which was revived in 2019 after a 17-year hiatus and held virtually in 2020 due to the pandemic, will take place this year on Saturday morning, Oct. 2, at Pikes Peak State Park near McGregor.
“We’re pleased to have it back this year, and hope it can be an annual event that goes on for many more years,” said organizer Duane Boelman.
The gently rolling out and back 5K or 10K course will begin at Pikes Peak State Park at 8:30 a.m., then head south on the Great River Road. GRRRR is a chip timed race, and prizes will be awarded in different age categories.
“The race is not just for runners. Walkers are welcome too,” Boelman noted.
A short kids race will also be incorporated into the event.
Participants are encouraged to register before Sept. 15, to avoid a price increase and assure themselves a 2021 GRRRR T-shirt. Racers will also receive a great swag bag from area sponsors and a complimentary ticket to the traditional GRRRR breakfast of pancakes and chicken gravy. (There will be syrup too.)
For a free will donation, others can enjoy the GRRRR breakfast in the Pikes Peak shelter. Volunteers with the Turner Park: Fitness for All Ages group will begin serving at 8 a.m., with proceeds going toward adding more features to the Turner Park splash pad.
Proceeds from the race itself will support the McGregor-Marquette Chamber of Commerce, which is helping to organize the event with the support of community volunteers. More volunteers are still needed; if you’d like to help out, email greatriverroadroadrace@gmail.com, or contact the chamber at mcgregormarquettechamber@gmail.com or (563) 873-2186.
New this year, people can also purchase additional GRRRR gear through an online store. Visit getepicwear.com/great_river_road_road_race/shop/home, or find a link on the McGregor-Marquette, Iowa Facebook page, to view adult and youth options for short- and long-sleeve T-shirts and sweatshirts, as well as hats and a drawstring bag—all of which will sport the GRRRR logo.
“It’s something new and fun, and there’s a lot of cool stuff,” said McGregor-Marquette Chamber Executive Director Jessica Goltz. “People can choose to have it shipped to them, or they can pick it up at Epic Wear. Hopefully people will utilize this.”
The online store will close on Sept. 10, to allow enough time to complete items for the event.
Another new aspect of GRRRR this year will be a wellness fair on Saturday, Oct. 2, from 8 a.m. to noon. The event will be held at the MFL MarMac Middle School in McGregor and give attendees a chance to learn from, shop and engage with a variety of wellness vendors.
“There are so many services available that people might not be aware of, such as reflexology, massage and chiropractic,” said Goltz. “There are also things that go beyond health, like your financial wellness, or services provided by Northeast Iowa Community Action.”
“They all can help with overall health and wellness,” added Dr. Brittany Wallace, a chamber board member and owner of Mind, Body and Spine.
Along with vendors, attendees can also engage with several activities, including drunk driving and texting and driving simulators provided by 5C.
Wellness vendors of all types are invited to participate. Contact the chamber at mcgregormarquettechamber@gmail.com or (563) 873-2186 for more information or to register.
For more information about GRRRR and the wellness fair, visit the “GRRRR Great River Road - Road Race 5K and 10K” or “McGregor-Marquette, Iowa” Facebook pages.
