Wanna Get Away? — Destination Races

Road to Route 66

Destination races offer two things, a new race you haven’t done before and a weekend, or longer, holiday. The Maui Half Marathon has been on my list for a very long time and on Sept 18 I finally stood at the 5:30 am start line. The island of Maui is the perfect location for a getaway, and what a great race this is. The 42nd Annual Maui Marathon and Half Marathon begins in two separate locations. The marathon starts at the Queen Ka’ahumanu Center in Kahului, and the half marathon starts at the mega resort area of Kaanapali. (Don’t even try to get these pronunciations correct; it only gets worse as you travel the island.) I started the half marathon in the pre-dawn darkness at Whalers Village and headed out into a gorgeous sunrise. The weather was perfect, hot with mild humidity, and the sun hid behind a small cloud until I reached Mile 8. The course for both events follows the ocean on two sections of the Honoapiilani Highway that are blocked off for the race, and along Front Street through the historic waterfront district of Lahaina Town. I saw two large green turtles basking along the shore as I turned onto Front Street and passed plenty of shops I planned to visit later.

This was a race course on steroids, with aid stations almost every mile, great volunteers, two stops with cold sponges to cool you down, juicy island fruit, medical support, and even homemade macadamia nut cookies at Mile 9. Cheering crowds at the festive Finish Line welcome you back. The Maui Half is an out and back flat course, with the turnaround at a local favorite surfer’s beach called Launiupoko Park. (Pronounce that after drinking a Mai Tai!) This is a great race and a great holiday destination. Check it out at www.mauimarathonhawaii.com.

Sorry you didn’t go? But wait, you’re in luck, because on January 22, 2012, Maui will host another awesome race, the Maui Oceanfront Marathon and Half Marathon. The same folks who manage the spectacular Lake Tahoe Marathon in September produce this race. Visit www.mauioceanfrontmarathon.com.

Holiday Half Marathons
What are you doing over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays besides avoiding the temptation of overeating? Check out these local half marathons for some fun and exercise. And if there isn’t a half marathon in your area, there is bound to be a number of holiday 10K and 5K races to enjoy.

The Amica Marathon and Half Marathon is held each year on Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. This is one of my yearly favorites. After chopping down the Christmas tree on Saturday morning, I hop in the car and head for Seattle. This race welcomes walkers and has an early start time for both events. The course covers downtown Seattle, swanky waterfront neighborhoods, tree-lined streets and parks, and plenty of panoramic views of Seattle. Before you know it, you’ll cross over I-5 and dance your way into the finish line with crowds of people cheering you in. Stay in one of the many nearby hotels for a short walk to the start located under the Space Needle. For more information check www.seattlemarathon.org.

New last year the Reindeer Run, is a very walker-friendly event held on Saturday, December 3, in the town of St. Helens, located just outside of Portland. Choose from 5k, 10k, or half marathon distances. The out-and-back country course will start and finish at the Columbia River Foursquare Church, the producers of the event. Money raised will benefit the Toy-to-Joy program run by the local fire department to provide holiday presents for kids in the community.

Visit www.columbiariverfoursquare.com (scroll down to “Reindeer Run”).

The Foot Traffic Holiday Half is held on Sunday, December 11, in Portland. I really enjoyed the inaugural race last year because it added a local half marathon in the month of December. And best of all, it wasn’t held in downtown Portland, the most overused year-round race course. It’s a scenic course that meanders through the charming University of Portland north neighborhood, with homes all decorated in holiday flair. The race start and finish is in front of the Adidas America campus, and the “blue building” is open for racers to wait inside, out of the cold before the start. The Holiday Half is a very well managed event with an easy to follow course, ample aid stations, happy volunteers, and hot soup and treats at the finish. Register soon, as this one fills up fast. Information is available at www.foottraffic.us.

The Road to Route 66
The Second Annual Mother Road Marathon took place on October 9 in Joplin, MO, the town that was torn apart by the recent tornado. This unique three-state race began in Oklahoma, veered into Kansas, and finished in Joplin. Heading out of my hotel at 5:00 am to catch the race day shuttle, I met a man wearing a bright blue shirt that said “Extreme Makeover” on the back. I asked him if he was part of the popular television show. He said he “delivered the equipment” for the soon-to-be Joplin Project, building seven homes in seven days. That struck an emotional chord as I boarded the bus.

Racers are bussed to their “race state” for the 8:00 am synchronized start time. The marathon begins in Commerce, OK, and the half marathon in Baxter, KS. The course runs along the historic Route 66 highway with sidesteps into local towns. The Joplin Convention & Visitors Bureau produces this event, and their hard work was obvious every step of the way. The course management was excellent. There were 17 well-equipped aid stations loaded with plenty of beverages and electrolyte supplements, lots of locals in each town holding out bowls of hard candy and pretzels, law enforcement managing every inch of the course, several medical stations, and a wonderful finish line greeting me as if I were the first female finisher when I was actually dead last! The race numbers were down this year, for obvious reasons, 600 racers compared to 1600 last year. I walked the marathon with 162 runners and enjoyed every minute of it. Every participant receives a unique shirt, medal, and Route 66 commemorative pin. I highly recommend this race. Check it out at www.runmrm.com.

On a personal note, seeing the tornado damage in person and hearing the stories people shared with me was just so sad. The destroyed hospital and high school and the miles of bare land that once contained neighborhoods of homes before 5:34 pm on Sunday, May 22, 2011, is something I won’t forget.

Have a very Happy Holiday and Happy New Year! Walk On.

Where is Sally Next?
Oct. 29: Runaway Pumpkin Half, Lebanon, OR
Nov. 27: Amica Seattle Half, Seattle, WA
Dec. 3: Reindeer Run Half, St. Helens, OR
Dec. 11: Holiday Half, Portland, OR
Dec. 26: Operation Jack Half, Tigard, OR
Jan. 15: Cascade Half, Turner, OR