1/2 Way to Christmas Half Marathon
The 1/2 Way to Christmas race is a super fun July Christmas themed event with multiple race distances that celebrates the most wonderful time of the year as participants run through Christmas themed music and decorations.
The race was Saturday July 21st, with the first races starting at 7 am. The course is a relatively flat an out and back run on the Great Miami Recreational Trail with athletes running from Miamisburg towards Franklin and back for the ½ Marathon. The 1-mile, 5 and 10K runs are also out and back along the same path.
Due to extreme heat, this year’s course was shortened to two loops, out and back. Runners were given the option to stop after just 1 loop if they preferred.
Aid Stations throughout the course supplied Christmas music and cookies. Finishers received Christmas ornament medals, post race catered breakfast including Eggs, Meat, Fruit, Juice, Coffee, Milk, Craft Beer, Cider, Soda, Christmas Cookies, and an opportunity to pose for a photo with Santa.
I have run this race the past three years. In 2017 it was hot, sweaty, and slow, and I finished in 2:11. In 2018 it was rainy, but nice enough for a PR of 1:53. And in 2019 it was unbearable and after walking to finish in 2:29, I passed out before I even made it inside for the post race festivities.
I finished my 28th Half Marathon on an extremely hot and humid day, with a heat index over 100 degrees.
Due to the heat, I ran approximately 40 minutes slower than otherwise could have, I carried TailWind in my Camelbak, took ice at the aid stations, and even walked during the race. Shortly after finishing I was transported by ambulance to the ER and treated for sever dehydration.
I missed the post race celebration, but runners are the best and my running friends came to visit me in the ER.
Check out my previous post “Tips for Heat Exhaustion” for more details and lessons learned from this experience.
Run Cari 