Hoover Dam Half Marathon

Boulder City, Nevada

Saturday, October 30, 2010

I race walked the Hoover Dam Half Marathon in Boulder City, Nevada on Saturday, October 30, 2010. The temperature ranged from 56 to 65 degrees with partly cloudy skies and a wind that started about 5 mph and grew to 20 mph by the end of the race. The course was mostly an out and back course that was very challenging with a 300 foot climb in the first 2.5 miles, a 50 foot climb in the next 2.5 miles, and a 100 foot drop in the next mile where the turn-around was on the top level of the Hoover Dam parking garage, which was completely closed to traffic. The course retraced itself to the starting area, continuing down a hill to another turn-around. After reaching the starting area again, the final tenth of a mile was a steep downhill to the finish line. The first 2.3 miles and last 3.2 miles were located on a paved bike path and most of the rest of the course was located on a gravel trail formed from an old railroad bed. Water stations were located between 1.5 and 2 miles apart and were manned by plenty of enthusiastic volunteers. Volunteers also were located at the few places where the trails crossed roadways and in the parking garage turn-around, making it unnecessary for police. Because of the isolation of the event there were only about 400 participants in the event which consisted of a marathon and a half marathon. There were a few spectators at the start and finish area and almost none elsewhere. The event is very well organized and enjoyable. It is one of around 12 events that the race director whose name is Joyce directs in the rural areas near Las Vegas, Nevada. All of them are about the same size and are very challenging. In a side note, my friend, Yolanda Holder from California who like me is a Marathon Maniac, completed the race which made her total for 2010 so far at 91 marathons and ultra marathons. There is still 2 months to go in 2010.