De Leon Springs Half Marathon
De Leon Springs, Florida
Sunday, January 2, 2011

I race walked the De Leon Springs Half Marathon in De Leon Springs, Florida on Sunday, January 2, 2011. The temperature was 63 degrees with light rain ending just before the race began. There was a gentle breeze and the temperature climbed into the 70’s by the end of the event; thus, the event was a little warm and humid. The out and back course was completely flat on rural roads which remained open to traffic; however, there was very little traffic on the roads during the race. The just over 200 half marathoners made the event small and friendly in its 27th year. There were 3 water stations manned by plenty of enthusiastic volunteers which were utilize in both directions and were not spaced very wisely. One was only 1.25 miles from the start and finish, one was after mile 6 and before mile 7, and the other was near mile 4.5 and 8.5; thus, there was a distance of about 3.25 miles between two of the stations. Gatorade was only offered at the third station (WHY?) but it was gone long before I arrived on the way out. The other stations only offered water. My mile splits after mile 10 suffered because of this. Many of the participants complained after the race that there were no port-a-potties anywhere along the course. I enjoyed myself despite the short comings of the event.
I would like to recognize the outstanding achievements of two of my friends in the Marathon Maniacs. Both Larry Macon of San Antonio, Texas and Yolanda Holder of Corona, California completed a marathon in Ocala, Florida on December 31, 2010. For each of them this marathon was number 106 in calendar year 2010 which makes each of them a world record holder for the most marathons completed in a single year. Congratulations Larry and Yolanda!!!!!!!!