YOLO the MoLo: Community race delivers a once-in-a-lifetime experience

In case you are not hip with the terms, YOLO is an acronym that stands for You Only Live Once, and is often used as a justification for doing wild and meaningful things. MoLo—the Moab Locals 10k—may be one of them. If you were not one of the 136 runners who traversed the town for 6.2 miles on Saturday, Dec. 2, set your sights on next year, as this event is sure to become a staple in kicking off the end-of-year hustle.

Race organizer Ranna Bieschke was positively giddy with excitement on Saturday. After a seven-year break from organizing running events, and with only a month to collect registrations, she was proud of the turn-out at the MoLo.

Festive costumes, community vibes, and a sunny winter day created a stellar race atmosphere. The pre-race fire and music, well-staffed course, aid station, finish line fun, celebratory socks, and overall cheery volunteers made the race a rocking good time.

In addition to endorphins and a pat on the back, runners enjoyed race swag and raffle items donated by local businesses, such as Camelbak water bottles, gift baskets, hats, sweatshirts, wine, and handmade local gifts. Bieschke thanked the 29 merchants who donated time, money, and gifts.

Walker Drug and City Market provided fruit, Dave’s Corner Market and Fresh Moab Coffee provided hot beverages, Sunset Grill and Moab Adventure Center provided shuttles, and participants received sunscreen and lip balm from Moab Regional Hospital and vitamins from The Synergy Company. Katie Grauel, a local certified Rolfing practitioner who also participated in the race, offered a $10-off coupon for Rolfing services.

Twenty-nine volunteers—including five race organizers—are also to thank for the success of the run. Bieschke thanked them, and the greater Grand County community for support of the event.

At the finish line, nothing but smiles, sore thighs, and high fives could be found, as well as help from a friend: One runner picked up a red, cotton star ornament four miles back that fell off Becky Mann’s Christmas tree attire. Mann received a prize for her elaborate, sparkly holiday outfit, which officially won the costume contest.

Other rocking costumes included quite a few felines, hot pink work-out wear, and homemade cardboard scissors—inspired from Rachel Fixsen’s internet search for costume ideas where she came across the Reddit username of “Runswithscissors.”

Fixsen (a Moab Sun News contributor and copyeditor!) said it was a super-fun race, and she hopes it happens next year.

Grand County High School teacher Catherine Moore rallied her co-workers to join the festivities. According to Moore, it was a wonderfully planned event, a great course with a lot of support and clear directions.

“The costumes were spectacular and the raffle and prizes were great. It was a fantastic local event to remember,” Moore said.

Results can be found at https://www.athletic.net/CrossCountry/meet/236054/info: congrats to the men’s first-place finisher, Justin Ricks (34:46.48) and women’s first-place finisher, Maddie Francis (36:10.30).