This was my 3rd half marathon. I was so excited to be able to run it at a steady 11:30min/mile pace. My favorite thing on this race was there was … MORE
This was my 3rd half marathon. I was so excited to be able to run it at a steady 11:30min/mile pace. My favorite thing on this race was there was a water stop every mile!!! I did not have to carry water. I took each mile as a chance to walk through the water stop and drink my water and do a quick recovery. It is scenic running through beautiful subdivisions and parks. Spectators were plenty at the beginning and there were a couple places my family could watch to cheer me on. Easy packet pickup. I love Paducah, KY anyway as they have my favorite winery. Nice race and not just for women. My son ran the 5K and had his own PR.
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Nice Flat Course
This was my 3rd half marathon. I was so excited to be able to run it at a steady 11:30min/mile pace. My favorite thing on this race was there was … MORE
This was my 3rd half marathon. I was so excited to be able to run it at a steady 11:30min/mile pace. My favorite thing on this race was there was a water stop every mile!!! I did not have to carry water. I took each mile as a chance to walk through the water stop and drink my water and do a quick recovery. It is scenic running through beautiful subdivisions and parks. Spectators were plenty at the beginning and there were a couple places my family could watch to cheer me on. Easy packet pickup. I love Paducah, KY anyway as they have my favorite winery. Nice race and not just for women. My son ran the 5K and had his own PR.
Nice course, well-supported
The Iron Mom is a well-organized and well-supported run that passes through some residential areas, runs briefly along a highway before going through city parks and along a trail. The … MORE
The Iron Mom is a well-organized and well-supported run that passes through some residential areas, runs briefly along a highway before going through city parks and along a trail. The closing miles are through a residential area back to downtown and along the flood wall and river.
It has varying scenery and is mostly flat except the residential area on the west end of the course around miles 4 to 6.5. Not long after that, the course covers a trail in the woods that was enjoyable to run. A warning was given about muddy stretches but thankfully it was not bad. After the trail between the parks, the closing stretch is flat as you head toward the river. A drum line plays near the finish and the announcer called out the runners and relay teams.
Nice finishing area atmosphere with vendors, bananas, cookies, milk, OJ and chocolate milk.
The course was well-controlled with many roads closed to traffic, most intersections manned and law enforcement present where needed to control traffic.
A good amount of people cheered along the course, in the first six miles especially but also in the park and the closing stretch. A lot of the local runners were greeted by name by friends along the route.
Water stations were enthusiastic and plentiful, more than I anticipated. They tried to service both sides of the road.
Also, there are three relay exchange locations, and they also cheered on the runners.
Chip-timed, I think, but no on-course splits. I have to look when results come out but the slip I printed had my gun time and chip time as the same and I was about 3 seconds to the start in the record field of about 900 runners.
The medal was decent, as was the long sleeve tech shirt.
I did my packet pickup Friday night at the small expo at the Holiday Inn, which also was where I stayed. There was some merchandise available at both the expo and the finish area.
The weather turned out perfect, despite the threat of rain. It held off until after noon. Mid-50s, but I understand it can get warm this time of year. I would’ve like a gear check of some sort since I wasn’t sure if I would be wearing an extra layer before the start, but there also was parking close to the start/finish if needed.
I walked from the hotel to the race, and also dinner at Max’s Brick Oven the night before. In addition to post-race food vendors, there was a farmers market, bakery, sweet shop and restaurants in the vicinity in the historic downtown. Very convenient.