Running is one of the most popular sports in the United States, with road races being one of the fastest-growing sports-related weekend pastimes.
According to Running USA's State of the Sport report, the number of running events in the United States in 2012 totaled an astounding 26,370, with 15,534,000 finishers.
Road races, once considered the domain of the professional athlete or the deranged, are more popular than ever, thanks to race directors hosting events catered to just about every preference and interest. There are races that allow you to run in technicolor, play in mud, avoid zombies, and mingle with Disney characters. And now, ladies and gentlemen, you can run with bacon.
The Great American Bacon Race has just been announced -- and its inaugural race will take place in Miami. On Saturday, April 5, at 8 a.m., get set to run possibly the first 5K that rewards participants with bacon, at Oleta River State Park in North Miami Beach.
How much bacon?
Can you say piggy overload? There's a bacon-themed T-shirt, a meaty medal, and even free bacon on the course. (We're not sure how bacon tastes with a Gatorade chaser, but we're damn sure going to find out.)
After the run, stay for the Bacon Bash, where you can indulge in free bacon beer and live music as you chow down on more bacon at a pork-themed food truck roundup.
If you're wondering whether you can run a 5K, just break it up into segments (with bacony rewards). That should get you going. Plus, the mere scent of all that fried flesh will surely lure you to the finish line.
Thirty-five bucks gets you race entry (along with a shirt, finisher medal, and bacon). Use code BACON5 to take $5 off. There'll also be a kiddie one-miler where your budding bacon lover can run a shorter distance and still bring home some bacon. (The Kid Dash costs $15.) Register at americanbaconrace.com. Training begins right after we finish our bacon and eggs.
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