Sturgis Falls Half Marathon
Cedar Falls, Iowa
Sunday, June 29, 2014

On Sunday, June 29, 2014 I race walker the Sturgis Falls Half Marathon in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The temperature varied from 68 to 77 degrees. The skies were variable as the event started with clear skies, then it became cloudy, followed by partly cloudy, followed by a small thunder shower, and finishing with partly sunny skies. The wind was also very changeable. The course, which had to have major modifications due to flooding of the Cedar River, was somewhat hilly but featured no challenging hills. Two thirds of the course was on paved bike paths through heavy woods and the rest was on roadways with little traffic. Water/Gatorade stations were spaced irregularly as access to the bike paths was not very often. There were plenty of enthusiastic volunteers who took care of the needs of the 350 participants in the half marathon. Police were at the start and finished and at one place where the course crossed a roadway. There was also volunteers stationed along the bike paths at each junction to ensure that everyone went the correct way. Because of the isolation of the course there were only a few spectators. The event was very well organized and was part of a larger celebration in Cedar Falls this weekend. Gerda and I had a wonderful time, not only at the half marathon but also at the other events in the area. Somehow we also lucked out with the weather as it was supposed to rain most of the time but did not do so.