Still Hallow Half Marathon
Enterprise South Nature Park, Chattanooga, Tennessee
Saturday, August 9, 2014

On Saturday, August 9, 2014 I race walked the Still Hallow Half Marathon in Enterprise South Nature Park, Chattanooga, Tennessee. The weather was supposed to be heavy rain and possibly thunder showers. I lucked out as there was no rain at all with temperatures between 72 and 80 and little breeze. The entire park was completely closed to everyone but the participants in the half marathon and associated 10K. The half marathon was a very challenging trail course that consisted of 1 mile of paved bike/pedestrian paths, 6 miles of pedestrian mulch covered packed earth paths having excellent footing, and 6 miles of single lane mountain bike paths with multitudes of exposed rocks, roots, and fallen branches with poor footing. There were constant ups and downs of relatively short distances requiring exertions from fairly easy to fairly difficult. The trail was very well marked. There were only 3 water/Heed stations. The first was after mile 5, the second was near mile 6.3, and the third was near mile 11. Participants were expected to carry a water bottle that could be refilled in these locations. There were approximately 180 finishers. There were no finisher’s medals and age group awards were only 1 deep in 5 year increments; however, the older age group was for 60+ which meant I was 7th and Gerda was 1st. We were the 2 oldest people in the half marathon. It was very satisfying for both of us to finish this challenging course. We were both extremely happy that the rain did not happen.