Chickamauga Battlefield Half Marathon

Ft Oglethorpe, Georgia

Saturday. November 9, 2019



On Saturday, November 9, 2019 I race walked the Chickamauga Battlefield Half Marathon in Ft Oglethorpe, Georgia.  The fortieth Edition of this event saw a temperature vary from 32 to 39 degrees with sunny skies and little breeze.  Except for the first mile and last half mile, which was on city streets of Ft Oglethorpe, the course was completely on roads in Chickamauga National Military Park where a major Civil War Battle was fought that saw a total of almost 35000 casualties occurred.  The park roads were open to traffic; however, there was almost none.  When the course crossed the only major road, park rangers controlled the traffic.  Water/Powerade stations were located approximately every two miles with water on the right side of the road and Powerade on the left side of the road.  There were plenty of friendly efficient volunteers taking care of the needs of all of the nearly 1500 participants in the full and half marathon combined.  This is the 7^th time that I have completed this event, 1 full marathon and 6 half marathons.  The event has always been very well organized and fun.  It is always an emotional experience for me as I think about and realize the enormity of the carnage that occurred here in September of 1863.

The Packet Pick-up

Before The Race

The Start

A Cheer Section

The Race Director

Sarah Barnes

After The Race