Spring is in the air and in the collective memories of several species. Take for instance the Great Moose Migration occurring as I write. Moose are traveling 400 miles across Sweden to reach their grazing lands for summer, a little earlier this year than most years.

Each Spring, tundra swans, and snow geese, among other birds, flock to Middle Creek, Pennsylvania on their northern route.

Add to these wonderful migrations and traditions occurring each spring, the Capital 10-Miler/10K – a run for the Arts. In early April each year, masses of runners and volunteers are drawn to return to the shores of the Susquehanna River, City Island and its riverfront paths.

While the migratory traditions of moose and birds have continued for thousands of years, the Capital 10 has been around for a mere 15 years. Still, this event entices runners to emerge from the winter doldrums, as though the sound of ice cracking free on the Susquehanna moves them to complete our registration forms and return to the start line.

The concept of the Capital 10-Miler – a run for the Arts emerged through the collaborative enthusiasm of the running community and the arts community. Our race became a Spring tradition.

Like any worthy Spring migratory tradition, we continue to return to our roots and bring younger runners into the fold. Hopefully, they have captured the spirit and will continue to join us in the tradition.

We couldn’t complete our migration, returning to our river to complete the 10-miler course, without the help of a number of people and arts organizations who make the return journey with us. Among them are Bill Bonney Photography, No Last Call Street Band, Open Stage, and Harrisburg Bicycle Club.

As our fellow migrators experience, we on occasion have had to deal with uncooperative weather, running with sleet blowing in our faces, gusts blowing us off course, race committees making last minute course changes due to flooded pathways, and the bane of all migrators – new construction barring us from following previous years’ footfalls. Still we return.

After a brutally cold winter, the sweet whisper of spring air insists we carry on and acknowledge that yes, we were ready to run our route again.

Additionally, our first year adding the 10K distance was successful for first place overall Richard Webber (38:39) and first female (51:45).

Congratulations to more than 400 plus runners and walkers who registered for this year’s 15th migratory tradition from City Island, across bridges and following the path of our beautiful riverfront.

We’ve made it to Spring. Enjoy another running year and see you for next year’s migration.