Hey there Runners!
We’re officially halfway through the Pink Gorilla Events season, and what a ride it’s been! We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our semi-annual Pink Gorilla Events Newsletter!
From chasing leprechauns to cornfield sprints and relay road trips, you’ve been out there crushing miles and making memories.
Here’s a quick victory lap through what we’ve done so far:
🍀 Leprechaun Chase 10K – There’s no better way to kick off race season than with a little mischief and a lot of miles 🏃♀️🏃♂️💨! Whether you were chasing or being chased, the vibes were high 🙌, the weather was perfect ☀️, and the costumes were even better 🎩✨.
The Lads claimed the win this year 🏆, edging out the Lasses 💪 and bringing the all-time tally to Lasses – 6, Lads – 9.
But the real magic? 🌟 Clay Simpson blazed through the course 🔥 and set a new record, clocking in at an incredible 31:10 ⏱️. That’s faster than a pot o’ gold disappearing at the end of the rainbow! 🌈🍯💨
🐣 Early Bird 10 Mile Run – Spring was in the air, and so were the PRs! 🏃♂️💨 Runners took flight on a crisp, cool morning ❄️☀️—perfect for chasing goals and finish line glory 🏁.
The course was fast, the vibes were high 🙌, and the celebration was next level with bacon cheers 🥓👏, mimosa toasts 🥂🍊, and that signature Early Bird energy 🐥⚡.
A special shoutout 📣 to Jesse Davis, who soared to a Masters Male course record with a blazing 52:09 ⏱️—proof that speed (and style) only get better with age! 😎🕶️🎖️
👟 Market to Market Relay Iowa – It was a scorcher 🔥☀️, but nothing could stop the relentless spirit of relay day! With over 72 miles of teamwork, determination, and a whole lot of fun, runners brought the heat—literally and figuratively 🥵⚡.
From wild team costumes 🤪🎽 to next-level van decorations 🚐🎨, the route across central Iowa was buzzing with cheers 📣, cowbells 🐄🔔, and all the camaraderie 🫶🏃♀️🏃♂️ you could ask for.
And let’s talk speed: the Walnut Creekers blazed a trail 🚀 in the Religious Division, setting a new course PR with a jaw-dropping 7:55:25 ⏱️ and an average pace of 6:36/mile 🏎️💨. Holy smokes—that’s some divine pacing!
⚾ Cornfield Cornfield 10K – A sunny June morning made for an a-maize-ing start to summer! ☀️🌽 Runners laced up and took on scenic miles 🏃♀️🏃♂️ around Prairie Queen Lake, soaking in the views 👀 before heading into an epic ballpark finish lap inside Werner Park⚾.
The course brought the challenge 💪🔥, but the cheer squads 📣, lake views 🏞️, stadium vibes 🎶⚾, and post-race snacks 🍉 🍿🍻 made it a home run!
Whether you were racing for a PR ⏱️ or just here for the party, this event was packed with sunshine ☀️, sweat 😅, and serious summer joy 😎🍉🌽!
From start lines to finish lines, Clay Simpson has been setting the pace—and the bar high—at Pink Gorilla Events races all season long. With wins at both the Leprechaun Chase 10K and the Early Bird 10 Mile Run, he’s showing up strong and staying grounded. We caught up with Clay to hear more about what fuels his fire.
What motivates you to keep racing strong?
“I just really enjoy competing—whether that’s with other runners or with the clock, trying to chase a PR. I give myself a lot of chances at different distances throughout the year to compete at a high level.”
Got any pre-race rituals or hype music?
“In college, I was all about pump-up music, but that has since faded away. Now I focus on staying calm and collected, go about my business pre race and keep my heart rate down. My college coach always said not to waste energy getting overly amped up—that stuck with me.”
Favorite Pink Gorilla moment this season?
“Definitely at Leprechaun Chase—I was chasing down the lead female and saw my wife out running on the course. I was so excited to see her out there racing. She’s worked so hard to get back to running after our third kid, and I am so proud of her. She rocks!”
How do you balance training with life?
“It’s definitely a challenge. But my motivation comes from wanting to be the best version of myself for my family, and I know I’m closer to that when I’m physically active. Some days are tough, but the good ones far outnumber the tough ones. Running has peaks and valleys, my tip is—embrace the valleys and enjoy the peaks!”
What are your goals for the rest of the season – Are we going to see you at the Halfsy?
“Absolutely! I’m in a pretty robust cycle of marathon training for the next few years. My next big race will be the Houston Marathon in January—and the Good Life Halfsy will be a great race to see where I am halfway thru the training. I’ll see you all there!”
🏃♀️ Local Run Clubs = Big Summer Energy ☀️
Even when there’s no start line in sight, the running spirit is alive and well thanks to the amazing local run clubs in the Omaha and Lincoln areas! These groups bring people together week after week, keeping legs moving, spirits high, and miles ticking by—even through the summer heat.
Huge shoutout to:
👟 Aksarben Run Club
👟 Bagels & Joe Coffee Run
👟 Kinkaider Run Club
👟 Kros Strain Brewing Runners
👟 Omaha Running Club
👟 Scriptown Run Club
👟 Telegraph Run Club
👟 And so many more awesome crews!
And we can’t forget about our local running stores being amazing as always & bringing their group runs all summer long as well: Lincoln Running Company, Fleet Feet Sports, and Peak Performance.
Whether you’re logging long runs or just showing up for the social miles, these clubs are the heartbeat of our running community. Looking for motivation between races? Find your people, lace up, and join the fun!
Feeling the FOMO from this newsletter? 😅👟 Good news—registration for our BIGGEST race of the year, the Good Life Halfsy 🏃♀️🏃♂️ is OPEN!
The Good Life Halfsy was just named one of the 12 Best Half Marathons by Run | Powered by Outside Magazine.
This is the race to have on your fall running calendar 🍂📆. We’re bringing BIG Halfsy Energy ⚡️💥 for what’s shaping up to be the largest Good Life Halfsy ever 🎉🙌. Don’t miss out for one of the best half marathons in the nation —sign up now! 🖊️👇
We close by saying thank you for being part of this community of runners who go the distance (literally). Whether you’re racing for time, for fun, or for the high-fives and finish-line feels, we’re glad you’re with us.
Let’s make every mile more memorable—together. See you at the next start line soon!
The Pink Gorilla Events Team