About Goldenfliers 5 & 10 Miler
The DNA comprising the Goldenfliers 5 & 10 Miler Road Race contains personal challenges and rewards or prizes. The original goal of the founders was qualifying for Boston, and as word spread and the years past; the purse for the race and the challenge of setting a course record has attracted serious runners.
Many folks run around The University Lakes. As the running community continued to grow in Baton Rouge after the turn of the century, four accomplished runners, who had met at The Lakes to train and had joined the Varsity Sports training group, decided to host a professional, weekend day race. They formed a running club, Goldenfliers, and decided upon the 5 & 10 mile distances.
With the activities of running clubs comprising retired cross country, marathon and track stars living in the area and with the contributions from companies like Varsity Sports, the Golden Fliers 5 & 10 Miler picked up steam and has celebrated 6 years of successful, well-reviewed races.
While the founding-four used the race as a qualifying-trainer for their bids for a Boston Marathon entry, they decided to embark on the journey together utilizing the Baton Rouge Beach Marathon as their proving ground. These guys were Ryan Green, Dirk Harris, Eric Lewis, and Joe O’Brien.
A typical 16-week training session ensued, but with a unique little wrinkle. These guys wanted to be held accountable for their workouts and wanted to qualify for the “granddaddy of them all” marathons the first time through.
Since it was the time of the year of the Tour de France and it’s yellow jersey, the group decided that a “golden fleece” would be worn by the teammate that may have missed a workout or didn’t perform in a workout to keep up with their Boston-qualifying training standard. However, this “golden fleece” was an old, stained, two-times too small, not washed very well, Under Armour yellow training shirt. Thus the Goldenfliers were born.
Since the group qualified in the 2003 Baton Rouge Beach Marathon through hard work and the support of the local running community, they wanted to give back to the running community who had given them a chance to realize a dream: they decided that a road race, Goldenfliers, would be a great way to do that.
As the “founding four” expanded their training group by welcoming Eustis Corrigan, Troy Mouton, Bill Clark, Ed Stauss, Jenni Peters, Randy Ellis, Kerry Ruiz, and Gary Wade into the fold, the road race production was possible.
And through generous support and advising from Brooks Sports, Varsity Sports, and Club South Runners, the Goldenfliers 5 & 10 Miler was born. Today, and since 2010, Rocket Racing has begun to manage the race and is passionate about keeping the intentions and vision intact.
About Rocket Racing
ENTERPRISE STRUCTURE
- RocketKidz Foundation
- Team Rocket Racing – A national training and racing team supporting the foundation
- RocketChix Triathlon Series – A series of woman-only introductory multisport events slated for the Gulf Coast
- RocketKidz Triathlon Series – A series of kid-only introductory multisport events slated for the Gulf Coast
- Goldenfliers 5 & 10 Milers – A 5 & 10 mile race, started in Baton Rouge
- The Louisiana Marathon – The first marathon event in the portfolio
The RocketKidz Foundation
Founded in 2006 as a non-profit dedicated to providing kids of all ages with GOGGLES, BIKES & SHOES.
The organization is committed to keeping wellness & fitness fun for kids and their families. We are committed to battling childhood obesity by providing support and access to gear and education within the multi-sport event space. Kids are provided tools of the trade, camp scholarships and grant programs. The foundation funds the YMCA Strong Kids, BREC fitness programs, Girls on the Run, Wheels to Succeed, and various events and programs throughout the Gulf Coast.
WHY MULTISPORT?
Multisport events are the primary event focus because their fun, diverse and each discipline may compliment an individual child’s strength.
HOW ARE FUNDS RAISED?
Local athletes raise money in everything from local 5k’s to Ironman Triathlons and the occasional 34 mile swim – first event Pat Fellows completed to kick off the fundraising efforts.
