MANKATO , MINN. -
8-year-old Hayden Dodge has been training all summer for his first 5 K race. Hayden says, "I think I'm going to see if I'm exercise a little more like do squats."
But he's not the only one in his family getting ready for a race. Hayden's Mom Hieke Dodge says, "It's a good family event that we can do together."
Today his younger siblings will run in the Kids K. Hieke says, "The kids have trained with us on short runs and twice a week I go for a 5 mile run."
And tomorrow his mom is racing in the 10 k and his dad is running in the full Mankato Marathon. Father Ken Dodge says, "We wanted to get the kids involved while we could still run a little faster than them because in a year or two they'll be running a lot faster than us."
At Myers Field House thousands of runners and their families are taking the day to relax for the big race tomorrow. Greater Mankato Visistors Bureau President Anna Thill says, "The hard work has already been done, they should enjoy the pasta feed tonight, be with friends, think about the day tomorrow."
Mankato Marathon Coordinator Maureen Waltman says, "It's about prep before race day getting people excited and pumped up and ready to go."
As most runners refuel and try to relax. Hayden keeps his eye on the prize, with his energy high. Hayden says, "I think I will do just fine."
And his spirits even higher.
