Jennifer Cooperman's Staging Area

This race is known as the best half marathon in New England, and having run it I can see why! The course is beautiful (even in absurd humidity), and the race organizers have their logistics down to a science. There is almost no way to bandit this race, since you have to take a bus to the starting line, where you pick up your bib. I think my only complaint about the start was that runners (including me) started lining up before the pacers jumped in, so I started with a pacer that was going too fast for the beginning of my race, and blew up my race plan at Mile 4. The course was beautiful, and while it described as net downhill, it did not feel it (especially at the hill at Mile 8 that needed stairs, it was so steep). The spectators were congregated in certain areas, so you did run through a lot of quiet areas too. Like the rest of the race, the finish was well organized and nicely stocked with recovery treats. Another bonus to the organization- pick-up of your finisher shirt after your medal in the finisher chute.

Special thinks to the race directors for putting my newly-pregnant friend’s mind at ease the day before!

I went into the Go! St. Louis Half not expecting much- due to personal conflicts, I wasn’t able to train as much as I would have liked, it was below freezing at the start, and I had heard rumors of a tough, hilly course. The rumors were right- the course wound its way over 3 bridges through East St. Louis during the first 5K alone, followed by umpteen overpasses through downtown, and an enormous hill at about mile 7.5 as we ran through the Anheuser Busch campus. However, the crowds and aid support were amazing throughout, and I had a fantastic run! The best part was that the last 2 miles or so were generally downhill, which made for an easier finish. My only gripe with the end of this fantastic race is that the race is set up so you run back through the huge starting arch- I saw it in the distance, and thought it was the finish as well, so I turned on my speed slightly too early (there was at least another half mile after you ran through that). Overall, a great race!!!