Gyamfua Gyamerah's Staging Area

This was such a fun fast race. I literally was surprised at how quickly I went from one mile to the next. The race follows the coastal road so on one side is the lake and the other homes. Race support on the course was amazing, the city and people really embraces the race and runners. Though the city itself is hilly, the race only had two two hills mile 9 and 10.5. construction near the end narrowed the course a bit which made it frustrating because some people would walk 3 in a row narrowing the race route.
Post race was great! Bagels, peanut butter, chips, apples and of course beer!! This year it rained at the end of the race and the wind made it cold, but during the half the weather was perfect. For those running the full the rain was miserable! Also, there are a lot of runners so there’s a lot of people zigzagging through the course and the first 4 miles can get tight! Also watch for pot holes, my run partner twisted his ankle in a pot hole. Another runner broke her foot when another runner smashed into it zigzagging.

The route was beautiful. We ran along the 11 mile Coastal Trail. The trail was paved but very narrow. If you are looking to P.R. definitely start at the VERY front. The whole half marathon trail was paved. There were areas of rolling hills but nothing like ATL or RNR Seattle hills…but definitely hill training. Wasn’t much course support since we were on a park trail. Mile 9 on up got a little sticky as we ran closer into the city. Remember this is a real park trail and unfortunately no signs so cyclist were out and some were rude AF🤬 going full speed zigzagging between runners. Mile 11 was the turn around. The race was extended by 300 meters meaning you ran 13.4 vs 13.1 and to add insult to injury the .3 was all uphill — fuqqers🤬.
Post race was nice with free beer, and vendors passing random food like grilled cheese and cookies🤷🏾‍♀️.
Overall Alaska was an amazing experience as a state. Save up, schedule excursions, drive the Seward Highway, experience the glaciers, keep an eye out for moose and 🐻..and just soak in all that daylight at 2 a.m.

There’s so much to say about this race..
This was a tough race. First…us city folks take high speed internet for granted…WV/KY..these parts high speed internet or phone signal is not guaranteed…my friend found out the hard way trying to find the start of the river road half and I learned as my music stopped mid race due to no connection.
The first half of the race or the Blackberry Half was tough. Downhill for the first 3 miles..runners are suddenly hit with a huge incline..it was super steep for those of us who do not live in mountainous or hilly areas…the downhill was just as steep and hard on a runners knees. Road were sometimes flat but more often curved following the curve of the mountain so be aware that footing though on a road can be uneven and hard on the knees as well.
Mother nature gets points for being humid yet cloudy with a light mist…I was expecting worse. Many parts are shaded..make sure to wave to the miniature ponies/horses…they were so cute and wave to the people watching the lamest parade of the county…they get such a kick watching us run. Best part of the race…hands down the water stations…omg..they had everything… watermelon (the sweetest), oranges , banana, water and Gatorade then after mile 5, cold wet nice smelling towels.
You finish in Mana(something KY) but there’s little break and you start race two which is River Road…like it’s name, it does follow the river, but honestly runners should call it the Muddy half..slip and slide half….on thee positive the scenery was beautiful….but it was one of the muddiest and hardest courses I’ve ever ran. Then that hill on mile 23..Jesus that hill…that hill makes you say words that would make bread go sour…and for my race if you are not careful the sun comes out and roasts you as you struggle to finish…
However, did I mention the most award winning aid & water stations??!! Omg best water/aid stations ever.
The end of the race was anti-clamatic…I think I was expecting like the aid stations tons of food and at least some hot dogs and tons of water..but instead it was your medal and someone handed me a small bottle of water and that’s it…no excitement…no picnic… nothing.
Even though this was a double half and organizers made sure the ROUTE was approved for those running 50 states, double half participants do not get a medal for each state..a huge let down for me.