Nebraska State Fair Half Marathon

Grand Island, Nebraska

Saturday, August 25, 2018

Saturday, August 25, 2018 was a nice day for the 454 finishers in the Half Marathon and the 125 finishers in the Full Marathon to participate in the Nebraska State Fair Half Marathon in Grand Island, Nebraska as the temperature varied from 62 to 71 degrees with sunny skies and no wind.  The course was flat with absolutely no hills utilizing 5 miles of paved city streets and 8 miles of paved bicycle paths.  Where major streets crossed the course there were two police officers and a few volunteers to control the traffic. There rest of the intersections crossing the course had either one police officer and several volunteers or just several volunteers to control the traffic.  Water/Gatorade stations were located from 1.5 to 2 miles apart and had many friendly efficient volunteers taking care of the needs of the participants.  Before the race the race director announced that there were over 500 volunteers for the race.  Even big races have trouble getting that many volunteers.  The event is part of the second day of the State Fair which has been going on for 149 years.  This was the fifth year for the race which started and finished inside the Fair Grounds.  Every participant received a free general admission ticket for August 25, 2018 as part of the race packet.  It had to be presented at the gate to get to the start area.  You were allowed to leave after the race getting a wrist band which let the participants back in any time on August 25, 2018.  I went back in to enjoy the Fair about 1:00 PM.  Unfortunately the temperature had risen to 95 degrees.  The race and the fair were fun and I even managed to earn 3rd place in my age group.

The Exposition

Before The Race

Chester Southernmost Walker" Kalb

Rebecka Schafer

Chester Southernmost Walker" Kalb

Rebecka Schafer

Connie Peterson

After The Race