Progression Run turned 5K Race

We are at the beach for the weekend so I headed out onto the hard packed sand for a 10 mile progression run this morning. Was about 20 minutes into it and ready to shift gears for the next progression when I saw a bunch of people on the beach with race numbers on their shirts. I looked around and saw a registration table, headed over to see what was going on. I had hoped this was going to be a 10k or something, but was still happy to find out that it was a 5k on the beach. I explained to them that I was just out for a run and didn't have any money on me and asked to barrow a cell phone, the race was going to start in 30 minutes. Called Maureen and she said she'd be down with the kids asap. The great people at the table registered me and said I could pay after the race if I needed to. Headed back onto the beach to do a little more running since it was still a bit before the start. Threw in some strides since I remembered how energized I feel after doing them during early week recovery runs. The race was delayed a little waiting for the Beach Patrol to set up, but we were finally off at about 10 past 9. The course went a half mile in one direction, then came back to the start, then from there it went another 1.05 miles to turn around at the 2.05 mile mark, then back 1.05 to the start for the 3.1 miles/5k. I was in about 7th place after a half mile, then 6th at the 1 mile mark. Slowly reeled in the 4th-5th guys as 1-3 were about 60-90 seconds ahead. The turn around mark was placed at the 2.05 mile mark, just before the turn around there was a 2 mile marker and right after that a tabe with water, then a BIG sign in a BIG ORANGE CONE that said TURN-AROUND. The 4th and 5th placed guys that I caught were teenagers, the younger one turned around at the 2 mile mark, the other one turned around at the water table and the people were yelling at the boys, but they were in the zone not hearing a thing! I turned around at the sign that said TURN-AROUND and found myself about 20 seconds and 40 seconds behind these guys. I caught the first one quickly, he was finished, and I was now in 5th but never caught the speedy barefoot beach runner. No biggie, these guys just got a little confused and it made me push a little harder. I finished 5th O/A and first in 40-44 age. 2nd O/A was 45 yrs. old and 3rd was 39 yrs. old, so I was a "true" age group winner today with a time of 19:49 on the beach in hard packed sand. Waited around for my cool award, then headed back down the beach for a 24 minute run home. Great morning with about the same amount of milage as I would have run, just a bit different on the training. My family actually showed up before the start and Maureen was able to pay my entry fee before the start whistle blew. Best part of the race was getting a little HR data, so I now know what my 5k effort is for speedwork.