Smuttynose Half Marathon
Hampton Beach, New Hampshire
Sunday, October 6, 2013

I race walked the Smuttynose Half Marathon in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire on Sunday, October 6, 2013. It was a less than ideal day for a race as it drizzled off and on for most of the race with a temperature of near 58 degrees and 15 mph winds with gusts. Water stations were located two miles apart starting at mile 3. Gatorade was available at miles 5 and 9. There were plenty of enthusiastic volunteers braving the poor weather to take care of the hydration needs of the 4500 half marathoners and 1500 marathoners in the sold out event. The course was mostly flat on roadways that were for the most part closed to traffic. Volunteers and police controlled all of the intersections and turns were marked with arrow signs. The post-race celebration area featured lobster rolls, clam chowder, and vegetable soup as well as the usual fruit, energy bars, water and Gatorade. A live psychedelic rock band performed at the amphitheater and were quite entertaining despite the weather. The event was very well organized and I enjoyed myself. My wife, Gerda, reached an impressive milestone when she finished the half marathon. She now has completed 200 half marathons. This was also state number 47 in her second circuit of the 50 states.