I've had this race on my list for years. I've always wanted to make a bigger trip out of it to include visiting a lot of the sights of northern Michigan, including a day visit to Mackinac Island. Luckily we were able to get a rather large group involved, which made the trip even more fun! If you've never been to northern Michigan you must go there! It is gorgeous! Anyhow, on to my race write up...
The Charlevoix marathon and half marathon are out and back courses, primarily run along a pedestrian path called the Little Traverse Wheelway, which runs parallel to Lake Michigan. There were a little over 400 full marathoners and about 600 half marathoners for this year, their 17th year of running!
The expo was set up near the famous drawbridge along the water. They had a ton of race apparel for sale, but their purchasing process was sheer madness, so I didn't bother to buy anything. Actually, I have so much race stuff...the race shirt we got was ok enough for me.
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| Luckily, the entire race runs north of the bridge, which lifts every half hour! |
This was weird-the race didn't offer a bag check on race day! I could not understand why, as the race starts and finishes in the same area and they had plenty of green space for it. For some this may be no big deal, but we had 4 marathoners and 3 half marathoners, with 3 others acting as support/cheer on the course, so we had a logistical puzzle trying to figure out what vehicle to put our bags in that would be at the finish when we all finished. Parking was a bit of a challenge too, with no valid guidance from the race officials. Even the link to parking on their web site didn't work. Mike Murgas found a great spot close to the race though, so it all worked out fine.
The full marathon started at 6:00! Toby, Laura (LSP), Jamie, and Kathy ran the full. Mike, Jedonna, and I waited 30 minutes later to start the half marathon. It was a crisp, cool 40 degrees!!
This was yet another marathon that I had signed up for, only to drop down to the half. (Is this how it ends?). I lost my mojo after Nebraska and the arrival of the heat back home. I'm glad I dropped, because I pulled "something" in my leg, and it was bothering me pretty bad by the time we got to Michigan. Like Alaska, there was no way I was going to miss out on running this!
The man who sang the National Anthem for the full had to leave, so they didn't have a singer for us, but the announcer asked for a volunteer and this guy got up there and sang it beautifully! And we were off!
The first 3-4 miles zig zag through a quiet neighborhood in Charlevoix, which turned out to be my favorite part of the race. Once we got on the path, I don't know, it was less great. The path was in great shape, and often times tree lined, and other times offered glimpses of water, so there's nothing specific to complain about. (Although you could hear the highway running next to it). I like bike paths, especially asphalt ones. (This one did have a wooden bridge stretch though, ugh). I think what it is is I don't like to be on them for a long time. I start to get a little claustrophobic, or maybe bored? Anyhow, we remained on this path all the way to the turn-around point, and the same was also true for the full marathoners.
It got very clustery as we got closer to our turn around point-saw Jedonna and Mike, did a turn around in a space of about 2 feet-hilarious, then back we went. My leg pain started kicking in more, but still "runnable", at least until near the end-I think I started walking a little around mile 11, but not too much, just up the hills where it hurt the most. Before I knew it it was over, no drama, halfs are just plain fun! Having Amelie and George cheer me in was greatness!
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| Thanks Amelie! |
I had less than 30 minutes to catch Toby finish, then one by one we watched the others come in. It was truly a great day to run!
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| Amelie had these made! |
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| Age group awards were glasses |
Stats:
It's strange who placed and who didn't-they had some super freaks in some of the age groups.
Full marathoners:
Toby: 3:16, 1st
Kathy: 3:57, 4th!!
Jamie: 3:51, 3rd
Laura: 4:52, 2nd (First was a 3:42!)
Half Marathoners:
Mike: 2:10, 10th (and he stopped for the bacon!)
Jedonna: 2:15, 4th!!! (would have won my age group!)
Me: 2:18, 3rd, (Just happy to be here)
I do love how I'm getting through my list even with half marathons. It's a long list, and I always thought it was longer than my marathon abilities...plus we are one step closer to Jamie's 50 state quest (this was state number #47!!!). I don't now if I'd recommend the full if you feel like I do about paths, but the marathoners said they would recommend it. It was pretty flat and you did have quite a bit of shade. Bring music in case you get bored though!
