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| All About "The Half" |
Getting There
Parking There is no parking at Norbuck Park.. The closest parking is at Flag Pole hill
about a quarter mile walk. You can also park at the Dart Station at West Lawther and
Northwest Highway there is a shuttle from this location. Another alternative is the Police
Station at Audelia and Norhwest Highway again about a quarter mile walk. Plan to Arrive
Early You will need time to pick-up your chip, drop off you bag, stand in port-a-let line
and walk to the start. which is about a block from the bag drop & chip pickup. Bag
drop is a good place to meet your Run On! running buddies, wear your team shirts it will
make it easier to find each other.
Check List
These are things I start putting together a few days before the race so I don't have to
search for them on race morning. You won't need some of this stuff but it may make you
remember something you forgot. I bring a small bag with post race clothes and other things
I might need in it. If you have friends or family coming to the finish they can take care
of your bag for you (don't forget to get your GU, and race number out of the bag if you do
this). Otherwise just drop the bag at bag drop as you head to the start.
_____Shoes
_____Insoles/Orthotics
_____Socks
_____Shorts
_____Singlet or other technical top
_____Jog bra or undergarment(s)
_____Watch
_____Throw away start line warm top
_____Short sleeved top
_____Long sleeved top
_____GU
_____Jacket and Pants
_____Hat, ear warmer, cap
_____Gloves
_____Change of clothes for post-race
_____Race number/bib
_____Safety pins
_____Personal ChampionChip (if you own one)
_____Course Map
_____Race Instructions
_____Writing Pen
_____Band-Aids or other medical supplies
_____Bodyglide
_____Sunscreen
_____Disposable Camera
_____Sunglasses
_____Lip screen or Chap Stick
_____Towel or moist towelettes
_____Pre-race food and fluids
_____During race nutritional supplement(s)
_____Post-race food and fluids
_____Money
_____Smile and Positive Attitude
The Half Course
The start is on East Lawther between Northwest Highway and the underpass on Buckner to
Norbuck Park, adjacent to top of Flag Pole Hill west bound in the east bound lanes. This
area will be very congested, lots of runners and not enough asphalt. If you get caught up
in the crowd don't panic and try to weave in and out, once the race gets on Northwest
highway the crowd will thin out.
Mile 1 – Flat and crowded Left Turn on to Northwest Highway, look
for the Half mile mark between the two bridges Left turn on W Lawther, pay attention to
the long slow curves or you will run lots of extra distance. The mile marker is after
Mockingbird near the south end of the median.
Mile 2 - Flat to slightly down hill all the way. Again lots of long
sweeping curves (13.1 is long enough don't run extra). The first water stop is at Dalgreen
about 1.7. The mile marker is after the long curve to the left past Dalgreen.
Mile 3 – Again, long sweeping curves and flat. The course goes off
Lawther left into the long parking lot at Lilly Pad Bay for the second water stop which is
about 2.7, then back out on Lawther curve to the left, then hard right turn on to
Branchfield. The 3 mile marker is about .1 past the turn onto Branchfield.
Mile 4 – You have .2 of flat on Branchfield flat to a right curve
and left turn onto Fisher Road. Fisher .7 is basically uphill all the way. You pass under
Mockingbird and left over the little bridge to left on Santa Barbara .1 to the mile marker
which is just before crossing back under Mockingbird. (The second hardest mile on the
course in my opinion)
Mile 5 – Starts with a uphill slow right to left S curve .1, then .2
flat to a right turn on Sperry flat .1 flat to a down hill cross Williamson Road The 5
mile marker is just past the little bridge on Sperry.
Mile 6 – Starts with .3 long uphill slow curve to the left. The Run
On! Aid Station will be at the top at Ellsworth, you should be able to hear it before you
see it. Elsworth to Bob-o-link is flat .1, then down hill about .3 to Alexander, then back
up hill .2 with an S curve to a left turn on Wendover up hill .1 to the 6 mile marker just
before Meadowlake. (The hardest mile)
Mile 7 – Starts with a little more up hill on Wendover and a little
up hill on Meadowlake about .1 then Down hill .5 with several long slow curves to a right
turn on W. Lawther. The half way point is just before the turn onto W Lawther up and down
the Dolly’s on W. Lawther the 7 mile marker is just before the hard right on White
Rock Road.
Mile 8 – Starts downhill a very short distance to a right turn on
White Rock Road, continues downhill .2 to a left on Windstead. The Aid Station is just
after the left turn at 7.3. Windstead is flat .6 with two little humps at the rail road
bridge to a left turn on the trail just before Garland Road. Cross the Shaky Bridge up the
Spillway. The 8 mile marker is just past the top of the spillway.
Miles 9 – 12.9 are on the path parallel to Garland Road then East
Lawther; you join East Lawther at the curve before Windfrey Point and continue until you
turn right under the Buckner Bridge at Norbuck Park. It is all basically flat except for a
little up and down near the Bath House and Big Thicket.
Aid Station at 8.46 East Lawther & Garland Rd.
Aid Station at 9.36 Windfrey Point
Aid Station at 10.61 Stone Tables
Aid Station at 11.99 Big Thicket
The 13 mile mark is just past the north service road. You have a hard left with less than
.1 to go to the finish.
There are lots of long sweeping curves that will cost you lots of yardage if you
don’t pay attention (run the inside of the curve) on this course. Take it easy on the
hills, don't spend so much energy that you are fading on the flat around the lake at the
end. The forecast is for a warmer day than our last few runs, another reason to be
conservative until you get past the spillway. |
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