Half Marathon #6: Or the Most Fun I've Had at a Half

22 May 2011

Unsurprisingly, at 6:13am it was overcast and chilly while runners waited to board the MegaBus to take us to the race start. I knew the ODDyssey Half Marathon would be a different race from most when I noticed a group of Wonder Women, Jack Sparrow and a bride and groom in the crowd waiting to board. The organizers of the race encouraged costumes and many of the runners complied. At the race site there were more people dressed up -- vikings, the Incredibles, some flowers, Crayola crayons, Wills and Kate...even the King, Elvis that is, donned running shoes this morning.

The course was actually quite pretty and scenic. We started at Memorial Hall Green and ran around the area for about three miles before descending into West River Drive along the Schuylkill River. The only strange part of the start was that we had to cross the finish line before we actually finished. I saw the banner, and as I ran under it at mile 3, I think, I thought this is the shortest (and fastest) half marathon I've ever run! Then after a few more turns we went down a nice long hill (more on that later).

Running along the river was beautiful. As we headed south, you could see boat houses on the opposite shore and the city of Philadelphia topped with low hanging clouds in the distance. Even the highway to the right couldn't take away from that great city view. At the turnaround point was a volunteer dressed in a bright orange penitentiary suit, a good substitute for a cone, if you think about it. We then headed north. Again, we stayed along the river, there were lots of water stops, if not a lot of cheerers, and the organizers also had a lot of things for runners to do along the way. Typically you just run hopping to get a good time, or just finish. The first thing I noticed was a costume corner. You could stop and dress up and get your picture taken. I didn't stop. I did stop at the "obstacle course." It was an adult-sized bouncy castle type structure. You had to dive in as far as you could, weave your way around buoys, climb a ladder, and the slide down. I went through with the Angry Birds runners! It cost me a few minutes, but it was fun! Then a mile down was the water balloon stations. Two guys were throwing water balloons near the runners or,
if a runner asked for it, at the runners. It was a bit of childhood whimsy thrown in that I really appreciated. If it were a warmer day, I think I would have liked it more! You got to pass by the water balloon station twice -- once on the way out and then again on the way back. Also on the way back, was a Jegna-like station. Large wooden block, like the ones I played with at school, were put in a tower and runners were encouraged to stop and pull one out and place it on top. If you pulled the block with the word winner on it, you would win a gift certificate. When I stopped, I asked what happens if I tip it over. "Nothing, but please don't." I didn't! I didn't win either, but at least I wasn't the runner to send the tower toppling! I knew I was close to done when I hit the hill.

The nice long downhill an hour and a half earlier became a nice, long uphill. It was a cruel way to end a race, but I had such fun along the course with the activities and the views that I almost didn't mind. Luckily the finish was a few minutes away and that was the thought that got me through. The race clock flashed my name as I crossed, there were nice snacks, a pint glass and recovery ale ready for me, and the MegaBus ready to take me back to downtown Philly. All in all, a good race. I finished in 2:19:21, chip time. I got a late start with my watch but it had 2:18 and change.

MLJ, who came with me to do the ODDyssey Half, walked the course and didn't have as much fun. The obstacle station was deflated, the water balloons, even the snacks and pint glasses were being packed away when she finished. The organizers gave a deadline of four hours to finish the race, and MLJ finished well within that time. I felt bad for her. But MLJ said she had fun and I think our sightseeing around Philly made-up for the less than stellar treatment of half marathon walkers got at the end