Akron Marathon, Half Marathon, and Team Relay

This was my 10th time running in the Akron Marathon having previously completed the half marathon 6 times and the full marathon 3 times.  This year I once again ran the half marathon.  Race conditions were almost ideal for a long race with temperatures in the high 40’s at the start and just a slight breeze.   The course for both the full marathon and half were altered again from previous years which is pretty typical for this race.   The biggest challenge in course construction for this race is that Akron is a hilly city.   With more and more runners opting for flatter and faster courses to qualify for other races the race directors are always trying to improve the course to make it more appealing.  This year’s half marathon course was fairly typical of what to expect from this race which is lots of rolling hills strung together by periodic stretches of flat and downhill sections.   The course is always challenging and if you set a PR (personal record) at this race you earned it!   My goal was to beat last year’s time and finish under an 8 minute mile pace.   I started a little faster then my goal pace and then settled into a nice consistent pace for the middle miles.  Some of the more hilly sections slowed me below my goal pace but I was able to make up the lost time on the flat and downhill sections.  The last three miles I was feeling pretty good and began to push my pace.  Miles 11 and 12 had some hills which made it tough, but I was able to make up time in the last 2 miles thanks to the downhill and flat finish.  I even posted a 7:17 13th mile that I was pretty proud of.  I finished with a time of 1:43:21 and placed 10th in my age group.  Not my fastest half marathon but I achieved my goals so I am happy with my efforts and result.   This race is always well organized.  Runners received the usual great swag and a bonus running hat for the 20th anniversary of the race.   My favorite part of the race was seeing so many other Team ER runners and running friends out there competing and celebrating after the race.