Space Coast Half Marathon

Cocoa, Florida

Sunday, November 27, 2016

On Sunday, November 27, 2016 I race walked the Space Coast Half Marathon in Cocoa, Florida.  The weather was mostly cloudy with some wind and a temperature between 60 and 65 degrees.  The mostly flat and gentle short up and down course utilized paved roads along the Indian River from Cocoa to Rockledge, Florida and back.  There was no traffic and no cross streets.  A few police were needed at places where side roads entered the course.  Water/Gatorade stations were located on both sides of the road and were located about one mile apart and had plenty of volunteers who pleasantly and efficiently took care of the needs of the approximately 3500 Half Marathoners and 2500 Marathoners; however, the stations were somewhat crowded because of the large number of participants.  This was the 45^th running of the event and David Kilgore managed to set a course record of 2:28:34 in the Marathon.  Two former astronauts participated in the half marathon, Robert Cabana who is currently the director of the John F Kennedy Space Center and Mike Mcculley who has done the event for many years.  I have done this event 14 times, 6 full marathons and 8 half marathons.  I have always enjoyed doing such a wonderful event which is always very well organized and fun and features great post-race food and beverage as well as extremely nice finisher’s medals and age group awards.

 Before the Race

Chester "Southernmost Walker" Kab

Jeff Davenport   Chester Kalb   Gerda Kalb

Chester Kalb   Helen Kwiat

Chester Kalb   Lenora Hagerman

After the Race

Chester Kalb

Gerda Kalb

Don Nelson   Maryann Nelson

Don Nelson

Robert Cabana, Director of John F Kennedy Space Center, former Astronaut

Denise Piercy, Race Director

Don Nelson

Robert Cabana

Mike Mcculley, former Astronaut