Charlevoix Half Marathon
Charlevoix, Michigan
Saturday, June 22, 2013

I race walked the Charlevoix Half Marathon in Charlevoix, Michigan on Saturday, June 22, 2013. The sky was foggy and overcast for the entire race with the temperature fluctuating from 63 to 68 degrees and a slight breeze. The course was mostly flat with half being roadways and half being bike path for the out and back course. The bike path had a 0.6 mile section that was a wooden, raised boardwalk that had some sections being a little slippery due to the moisture in the saturated foggy air. Water/Gatorade stations were located approximately every 1.5 miles and were manned by plenty on enthusiastic volunteers. Police controlled two of the intersections of the roadways and the start/finish area which was along the main road in downtown Charlevoix. There were a few spectators in the neighborhoods along the roadways and quite a few in the downtown. The event was very well organized and enjoyable with nice finisher’s medals. The age group awards were beer mugs that did not distinguish first, second, or third place. I surprised myself again by finishing 3rd in the running male 65 to 69 age group despite the fact that I walked the entire half marathon. There was a walker division at this event of which I was unaware. If I had entered, I would have won overall by about 10 minutes.