11 Dec 2011: Fayetteville 1/2 Marathon

Last year, we had 22 degrees during the Fayetteville half marathon. This year, the temps threatened to be almost as cold but, at 7:30, we started in the upper 20s and the temperature reached the low 40s by 10:00 as opposed to last year when it was stuck in the 20s all morning.  No wind made it a great day all around.

My  job was to have fun escorting the runners/walkers along a mile portion of the route, offering encouragement and making sure no one was in distress.  I also kept an eye on vehicles that kept coming out of adjacent parking areas and made sure that they exited the correct way.

So, below, a few snapshots of today's event.

 Keith, a fellow Roadie, who had the honor of escorting the lead runner around the course on the first loop.

 This runner had a commanding lead but I did not see the finish results so I can only assume he went on to win.

 Not too far behind, yet still early in the race coming up a short but very steep climb.

 And here comes the pack

I moved on to my area, which was about a 1/4 mile bike ride away from where I took the pictures above but about 7 miles into the race.  I hooked up with a runner in the front of the pack, but still a couple of minutes back, who happened to be running alone.  I figured he could use a little company. 

 We moved along quietly for the most part and I sensed my presence was welcomed as his pace improved.  I stayed with him for about a mile and a half.


Looping back down, I picked up another runner.  This time, Brad and I conversed quite a bit, which also seemed welcomed as he seemed to be struggling and our talking seemed to be a good diversion.

After that, I would escort packs of runners along about a mile section, part of which was a decent climb.

Of course, these events couldn't happen without lots of volunteers and Elizabeth and Vince were doing a great job at one intersection with them really cheering the folks on as well as managing the stray cars that came by.

I came across Steve Bell near the end of the event, who has just taken up bicycling in the past six months.  His oldest son and mine were playmates way back when.  He was volunteering on bicycle as well.

Today's Ride:  2hrs 9mins.  19.02 miles.  28°-43°   Miles YTD:  9,874.67

Number of miles per day needed to reach 10,000 miles by the end of the year:  6.27

Donations for Biking for Food, which support the Community Meals at St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, AR, can be sent to:  Biking for Food,  St Paul’s Episcopal Church,   224 N. East Ave.,   Fayetteville, AR  72701

Or, make a pledge per bike miles ridden at  www.stpaulsfay.org/bikingforfood.html.

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