By Anne Larsen
I love a good half- marathon, YOU love the half -marathon, and runners around the world LOVE the half-marathon – really it’s just a lovable distance and race! Because of its unique ability to be not only challenging, but achievable, it is the fastest growing distance in road races around the country. “Today, there are nearly twice as many half- marathons as marathons in the U.S,” according to Runner’s World magazine. Lakefair Race Director Jerry Miller is jumping on that bandwagon.
Local runners couldn’t agree more with the growing trend in training and participating in half-marathons! Training for 13.1 miles is demanding but not all time consuming. “I like the half-marathon distance because I still feel it’s a challenge, yet not as punishing on my joints as the full 26.2,” says Olympia runner Karli Plughoff.
Miller knew that the half-marathon was a popular distance, but he was blown away when he realized with a few days left of registration that they were only 3 spots remaining. While registration officially closed on July 16th, the race director is considering expanding the number of registrants. So, if you haven’t registered yet you may be able to snag a spot if you go to South Sound Running and check with the folks there. I’m not promising anything, but it can’t hurt to ask! And remember, next year – register EARLY!
Local runner extraordinaire and Lakefair Run organization member, Alexis Erickson, noted the obvious demand for the distance. Although race calendars are heavily stacked with half-marathons in the Spring and Fall, Summer months are often void of the distance, but the runner demand is still there. Expect ideal racing temperatures this Saturday (high 50’s through low 70’s) and a course that is flat and fast. With temperatures in check, and a speedy certified course, the Lakefair Half-Marathon could be your next personal record.
Although many Thurston County residents may have their own Lakefair traditions: parade, elephant ears, rides or fireworks….the runners in town have made the traditional Lakefair 8k theirs. These past few years have seen the Lakefair 8k jump in participants. Last year alone, over 425 individuals pinned on a number and toed the line. Almost 200 participated in the 3k. The time is right to add the half-marathon distance and timing chips! In addition to timing chips, the course has been certified by Olympia runner Bob Brennand.
Aid stations don’t stock or man themselves, so be sure to thank those volunteers! Olympia High School runners will be working the aid stations and they will be prepared with all the necessities from a handful of fabulous sponsors such as Harbor Wholesale, V8, Campbell’s, and Kaplan Brothers. Capital High School runners will be helping out at the finish line.
For all the Lakefair Run logistics, click here. And, a special thanks to Denny Brooks of On The Run Events for the photos.
3K – FREE for kids 12 and under, but you must register. Run starts at 8:10AM
8K – 8:00AM
Half- Marathon-7:00AM
You can check out a map of the Half Marathon course online, but they also have a Half Marathon route video (so you can really see where you’re going!)
In addition to the distance of the half-marathon growing – so is the use of iPods or other personal music devices. ALWAYS check with your specific race to see if the use of iPods is sanctioned and ALWAYS be aware of your surrounding while running. With that disclaimer in place – here is a list of great tunes to motivate you! I picked enough songs to cover 1:45 – 2 hours.
This playlist will start you out at a steady, but speedy pace. The start of a race is energizing and many runners go out of the gate too fast. There is plenty of time to chase down your competition, don’t go out like Prefontaine and blow-up 3 miles later! The middle of this playlist has you finding your pace. This is when your MOJO is locked in, and you’re feeling good (making all those folks that went out way too fast feel bad!). Finish strong, that is the motto. Now is the time to crank it out and finish like the “running rockstar!”
Lovely Day – Bill Withers
Called Out In the Dark – Snow Patrol
Call It What You Want – Foster the People
Call Me the Breeze – Lynryd Skynyrd
Price Tag (feat. B.o.B) – Jessie J
American Girl – Tom Petty
Better Than This – Keane
Lisztomania (Alex Metric Remix) – Pheonix
Turn Me On – The Fray
Turn Me On (feat. Nicki Manaj) – David Guetta and Nicki Manaj
Heads Will Roll – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Too Fake – Hockey
Meet Me Halfway – Black Eyed Peas
Mr. Brightside – The Killers
Gold Girls Guns – Metric
#41 – Dave Matthews Band
Maneater – Nelly Furtado
Part of Me – Katy Perry
Notion – Kings of Leon
Wild Ones – (feat. Sia) Flo Rida
Arise – E.S. Posthumus
Move Along – All American Rejects
Say – John Mayer
Stronger – Kanye West
Set Fire to the Rain – Adele
Bleed It Out – Linkin Park
Forever – Chris Brown
You Shook Me All Night Long – AC/DC
Lose Yourself – Eminem
Uprising – Muse
Pump It (Radio Remix) – Black Eyed Peas
My Body – Young the Giant
