Gulf Coast Half Marathon
Pensacola Beach, Florida
Sunday, April 7, 2013

On Sunday, April 7, 2013 I race walked the Gulf Coast Half Marathon in Pensacola Beach, Florida. The temperature fluctuated from the low 60’s to the upper 60’s with sunny skies and some breeze in exposed places. The course was flat with water/Gatorade stations located every 1 to 1.5 miles with plenty of enthusiastic volunteers taking care of the needs of the participants which numbered approximately 1700. Police ensured that traffic and participants remained separated. The event was very well organized; however, the miles were not measured very accurately according my GPS watch and the GPS watches of at least 10 other people that I talked to after the finish. Everyone stated that the total distance was between 1/3 and ½ mile too long and that marked, measured miles measured anywhere from 0.8 miles to 1.2 miles. Many others who did not have GPS watches could not figure out why their pace changed so greatly from mile to mile until they heard about the GPS readings. I was also disappointed to see that the overall and age group awards consisted of drinking glasses that were exactly the same for everyone with no designation of place or level. Despite the above mentioned issues, I still managed to enjoy myself. Another thing worth mentioning was one of the houses along the course. It had a box shaped base with a house that looked completely like a flying saucer mounted above. It even had two little aliens looking out one of the windows. I have posted photos of it in my blog.