Shoreline Half Marathon
Rochester, New York
Saturday, July 20, 2013

When I finished the Shoreline Half Marathon in Rochester, New York on Saturday, July 20, 2013, I brought my total race walking half marathons to 101. I expected the conditions for the race to be less than desirable as the Friday high temperature was 96 degrees and a cold front was supposed to bring violent thunder showers between 4 AM and 10 AM on Saturday morning with the race starting at 8 AM. I was lucky as the thunder showers arrived early, leaving much tree damage and forcing some changes in the course, but allowing the event to proceed with temperatures in the middle 70’s, 10 mph winds, and overcast skies that produced some light rain. The course was on roads, starting in Hamlin Beach State Park, proceeding for 4 miles out of the park, doing a 5 mile loop, and returning to the park for the finish. Roads were open to traffic; however, there was only a little during the event. The approximately 500 finishers were served by plenty of enthusiastic volunteers manning the water/electrolyte stations which were located approximately every 2 miles, directing the turns, and helping control the traffic. The event was very well organized and featured a half marathon and 5K on Saturday and a triathlon on Sunday. At the awards ceremony which was conducted extremely efficiently, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I earned third place in the male 65-69 running age group even though I race walked the entire distance. I enjoyed the event very much.