The Oswegoland Park District’s annual Gobbler Hobbler 10K and Mashed Potato Mile runs, a fall tradition in Oswego since the early 1980s, was held Sunday morning, Nov. 8, with COVID-19 precautions in place, on a course routed through several near east side village neighborhoods.
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The Oswegoland Civic Center at 5 Ashlawn Avenue was the starting and finishing point for the race.
Park district Recreation Supervisor Zack Donati praised the turnout and warm temperatures.
Donati noted that the course used for this year’s race was one the park district once used many years ago.
“It’s nice being back at an old course and having some people that are familiar with it for set up,” Donati said. “It’s gorgeous out and everything is going really well.”
Donati also detailed the COVID-19 procedures implemented by the park district for the event.
Runners were required to wear a mask before they started the run but were able to take them off after crossing the starting line. As they approached the finish line, runners were required to put their masks back on.
Runners were also separated into groups, with start times staggered about 10 minutes apart to allow time for them to spread out along the course.
“We’re super excited to do this,” Donati said shortly before the start of the race. “I know we have some pretty excited runners. This might be their only in-person run this year, or they might have gotten one in before things closed down, so I know we have some excited runners for sure.”