Wood Stork, Everglades National Park, Florida #2

Wood Stork, Everglades National Park, Florida #1

White Heron, Everglades National Park, Florida #7

White Heron, Everglades National Park, Florida #6

White Heron, Everglades National Park, Florida #5

White Heron, Everglades National Park, Florida #4

White Heron, Everglades National Park, Florida #3

White Heron, Everglades National Park, Florida #2

White Heron, Everglades National Park, Florida #1

Green Heron, Everglades National Park, Florida

Oscar, Everglades National Park, Florida

Bass, Everglades National Park, Florida

Gar, Everglades National Park, Florida

Cormorant, Everglades National Park, Florida #4

Cormorant, Everglades National Park, Florida #3

Cormorant, Everglades National Park, Florida #2

Cormorant, Everglades National Park, Florida #1

Vultures, Everglades National Park, Florida

Blue Heron, Everglades National Park, Florida

Bird, Everglades National Park, Florida

Alligator, Everglades National Park, Florida #3

Alligator, Everglades National Park, Florida #2

Alligator, Everglades National Park, Florida #1

St. Photios Greek Orthodox Shrine, St. Augustine, Florida #2

St. Photios Greek Orthodox Shrine, St. Augustine, Florida #1

Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine, Florida #8

Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine, Florida #7

Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine, Florida #6

Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine, Florida #5

Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine, Florida #4

Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine, Florida #3

Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine, Florida #2

Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine, Florida #1

Oldest Wooden School House St. Augustine, Florida

Light House St. Augustine, Florida #2

Light House St. Augustine, Florida #1

Castle near St. Augustine, Florida

Jacksonville Bank Half Marathon
Jacksonville, Florida
Sunday, December 20, 2009

I race walked the Jacksonville Bank Half Marathon in Jacksonville, Florida on Sunday, December 20, 2009. The 2500 marathon and half marathon participants endured the cold as the temperature was 38 degrees, the wind was blowing, the sky was partly cloudy sky, and the sun was about to rise as the race began. The out and back course was flat with traffic controlled by the police and Water/Gatorade stations, manned by plenty of enthusiastic volunteers, located every two miles. A few spectators cheered along the course and a larger number cheered at the finish which was located on the track inside a football stadium of Bolles High School. As in the past the event is very well organized, friendly, and enjoyable. I have done the Jacksonville event seven consecutive years.

West Palm Beach, Florida #3

West Palm Beach, Florida #2

West Palm Beach, Florida #1

Half Marathon of the Palm Beaches
West Palm Beach, Florida
Sunday, December 6, 2009

The temperature in West Palm Beach, Florida on Sunday, December 6, 2009 when I race walked the Half Marathon of the Palm Beaches was between 58 and 64 degrees which was a pleasant change from the hot and humid, rainy days prior to the event. The wind varied up to 10 mph, making for wonderful conditions during the event over the flat half marathon course. Water/Gatorade stations were located every 1.5 miles and were manned by plenty of enthusiastic volunteers. The course was completely closed to traffic and intersections were controlled by plenty of Police and other volunteers. There were many cheering spectators along the entire course and the finish area held a large number of enthusiastic spectators. Approximately 2400 people finished the half marathon and 600 people finished the full marathon making the event a nice manageable size which I enjoyed very much. I have done this event each year that it has been held and intend to continue in the future as this event has always been fun and well organized.