Gasparilla Half Marathon

Tampa, Florida

Sunday, February 25, 2018

On Sunday. February 25, 2018 I race walked the Gasparilla Half Marathon in Tampa, Florida.  The weather was a little warm as the temperature varied from 70 to 78 degrees with sunny skies and little wind.  The course was mostly flat on city roads that were completely closed to traffic.  The first 5 miles were a loop on Davis Island and the remaining miles were and out and back journey on Lakeshore Blvd.  Water/Gatorade stations were located approximately from 1 to 1.5 miles apart with plenty of friendly efficient volunteers taking care of the needs of the nearly 7000 participants.  The large number of participants caused most of the early stations to be somewhat crowded.  Some of this crowding could have been lessened if the tables were spread further apart and consistent about the order of the water and Gatorade.  Extra precautions were taken to have extra medical personal along the route and encouraging participants to be aware of possible overheating and dehydration and taking proper measures to insure everyone’s wellbeing.  My friend, Bart Yasso who retired from Runner’s World and elite athlete, Meb Keflezighi were celebrities at the two day event which included a 5K, 8K, and 15K as well as the half marathon.  The event is always very well organized and fun.  I have done this event 10 times: 5 full marathons (when full marathons use to be included) and 5 half marathons.

Lost Dutchman Half Marathon

Apache Junction, Arizona

Sunday, February 18, 2018

On Sunday, February 18, 2018 I race walked the Lost Dutchman Half Marathon in Apache Junction, Arizona.  It was a wonderful day for the event which had 296 entries in the full marathon and 759 entries in the half marathon as the temperature ranged from 54 to 61 degrees with sunny skies and almost no breeze.  The half marathon course was out and back on paved roads that was continuously going up and down with no long or challenging hills.  As most of the course was on rural roads that were completely closed to traffic, only a few police officers were needed at cross traffic intersections.  There was a continuous view of the Superstition Mountains which have much historical significance.  There was a gold rush there in the 1890’s which included the Lost Dutchman Mine.  Also in the 1940’s, 1050’s and 1960’s Movie and TV Westerns were created in Apacheland.  There are still many small gold mines in the area which earn more money from tourism that from the gold.  Water/Gatorade Stations were located every mile with the Gatorade only available at every other station.  There were plenty of friendly efficient volunteers at each station.  I have done the event 5 times – once a full marathon and 4 times a half marathon.  The event is very well organized and fun to do.

Wildlife World

Arizona

Part 4

February 19, 2018