This year some big city Marathons will cost you more than $150 to enter. You probably have to fork over another $200 to get a hotel room that is within 10 miles of the start at best. By setting your alarm clock to 2:00 AM you get a shot at a parking spot somewhat close to the start and you get to “warm up” for another 3 hours until you finally get out of line for the Porta John’s.
The ½ Sauer ½ Kraut offers a somewhat different experience. You can park at the Cannstatter Volksfest Verein German Club and hop onto a free bus shuttle. You will be running on a mostly shaded & (mostly :-)) flat bike trail alongside the Pennypack Creek. You will be supported by 15 aid stations (7 for the half), including Oktoberfest Aid station. Heidi, the Bavarian waitress will hand out gels, and we will invite you (yes, first beer is on us) to beer and brats at the post race festivities, while “Hans” will entertain you with his accordion. Find out who else is crazy enough to run a race like this in the summer and rehydrate properly at the German club afterwards. You will dramatically increase your chances of winning something by dressing in Lederhosen or Dirndl (traditional bavarian dress). A portion of your entry fee will be used to support the park as well as the HCM Foundation, a local charity supporting families affected by cancer.
Course utilizes the paved bike path along Pennypack Creek. No traffic at all. You get to run miles and miles within the city limits of Philadelphia without seeing a house or a car at all. The midsection of the course features a bunch of short but steep rolling hills along with a trail section (Mount cuckoo). Some have referred to our course as an Achterbahn (“rollercoaster”). It’s certainly not an easy race, but do-able, a good challenge for the experienced runner. Beautiful course along the Pennypack creek. No traffic, no cars, just trees, nature and views of the creek.
Is this a Boston Qualifier? Hell no!!!!!!!! This is a summer race, there is a good chance that high temps will make this harder than you anticipate!!! I recommend running the marathon only if you are an experienced runner, who can handle all kinds of adversity. You have been warned :-). No whining on race day.
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Well Produced Race
Stephan does not an amazing job organizing this race. Course: Essentially an out and back through Pennypack Park. Mix of dirt and pavement. Hilly in the second and third quarters … MORE
Stephan does not an amazing job organizing this race.
Course: Essentially an out and back through Pennypack Park. Mix of dirt and pavement. Hilly in the second and third quarters of the race and flat for the first and fourth.
I was fortunate that it was not as hot as previous years. This is not a PR race.
Swag: Nice pullover and medal with cuckoo clocks as awards for the top 3 in each age group
Post-Race: Light snacks and water at the finish. Buses then take you back to a German beer garden for a free beer and brat with the option to purchase more. Traditional German music and dancing are performed for the runners.
Beautiful scenery, challenging hills
This beautiful race goes through a park, with the full marathon consisting of a double loop of the half marathon course. Even though the race is in the summer, you … MORE
This beautiful race goes through a park, with the full marathon consisting of a double loop of the half marathon course. Even though the race is in the summer, you remain completely shaded for about 90% of the run, so the sun is no big deal. The rolling hills are the real challenge, and will definitely take a toll on the unprepared. Definitely not one I would recommend for a PB, but would definitely recommend for a gorgeous view of the scenery on a more “leisurely” run. Also, the sweatshirt they gave out was of amazing quality and the post-race festival had some nice goodies.