Chickamauga Half Marathon
Fort Oglethorpe. Georgia
Saturday. November 8, 2014

On Saturday, November 8, 2014 I race walked the Chickamauga Half Marathon in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. It was cold with the temperature just below freezing and the grass covered with a heavy frost, clear skies, and calm wind. When I finished the skies were mostly sunny with little wind and a temperature around 45 degrees. For the most part the course used paved roadways that were mostly closed to traffic in the Chickamauga Battlefield National Military Park. The beginning and ending were in the historic part of Fort Oglethorpe. Police controlled intersections where traffic needed to cross and volunteers were stationed at the turns to ensure that the 3000 half marathoners and 700 marathoners followed the course correctly. Most of the course went up and down small gentle hills; however, there were some sections that were relatively flat. Water/Powerade stations were located approximately every two miles and were manned by plenty of efficient, enthusiastic volunteers. On September 19 and 20, 1863 the armies of the Union and Confederacy fought the bloodiest battle west of the Appalachian Mountains that saw the about 124000 men engaged in the battle suffer around 30% casualties (4329 killed, 26023 wounded, 6776 missing in action). Throughout the Military Park are memorial stones, statues, and cannons marking exactly were each of the units of the armies were with signage explaining exactly what occurred as the two days of carnage unfolded. I have participated in this event three times (1 marathon, 2 half marathons). Each time I have to reflect how lucky I am to live in the USA and how much sacrifice has occurred and is still occurring to allow the USA to exist as it does.