Albany Half Marathon Race Review 2015

Albany Half Marathon 2015 

Check out Albany Half's Website ~here~

 Saturday, August 15th was the 3rd annual Albany Half Marathon. It was held at Timber Linn Park. I was excited to run this Summer Half! 

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 I arrived at 7:30, knowing the half started at 8:00. There was plenty of parking close to the start/finish line.  Packet pick-up was easy.  No lines and the volunteers were friendly and helpful.  Everything seemed very organized.  I went over to the port-a-potty line and there was no line there either.  Plenty of port-a-potties to handle this race.
I went back to my car and waiting a few minutes to the 8:00 am start.  The starting line was next to the parking lot.

The Finish Line!

We started out on Timber Street SE.  The race started promptly at 8:00 am.  It was a little muggy but cooler than it had been the last two years on this day.  I was thankful for cooler weather this year. We ran through a neighborhood, then heading out onto Knox Butt Rd E.  This part of the course was nice and flat. There were water stations about every two miles with plenty of volunteers. I got into a running grove and tried to relax!

Lots of food after the race!

As I made that first big turn on the looped course I felt a headwind.  I tried to tuck in behind a few of the runners running about my pace but that didn't last too long.  Half way there was a port-a-potty ready for anyone needing a break.  Soon I knew we would be running up a few rolling hills!  I was now caught up with the walkers.  They got an early start, 7:00 am.
At mile 7.5 I ran my first hill.  The hills in this race aren't that bad, they just are there and you do have to run them.  They are also the last half of the race, so they get me every time!
I ran the rollers and then the road evened back up again.  It was warming up slightly, but the weather overall was nothing to complain about for a Summer Half!  As I came back into the neighborhood, I knew the finish was near!  I picked up my pace for mile 12 and ran in with a strong finish!
My husband and 11 year old was there and we walked around and looked at the different vendors.  Dutch Bros was there giving out chocolate milk.  There was lots of food available for the runners and walkers to eat after the race!
It was a nice atmosphere.  I was able to get my finish time with-in minutes thanks to Eclectic Edge Racing.
 I walked around for a while, cooling off and waited for the Raffle and Awards at 10:30 am.  I came in first in my age group and won a cool plaque, a water bottle and some Dutch Bros chocolate milk.  My 11 year old quickly claimed the milk for himself! Lots and lots of raffles were drawn for all kinds of prizes.  My number didn't get called, but many people walked away with cool prizes, including new shoes! 
This year I liked the shirts the best out of all three years.  They were not unisex this year.  They had male and female fit shirts. This year they added a 5k and a kids run.  I love it when race organizers do this.  It makes it even more family friendly! It was the 3rd annual race, I recommend adding the 4th annual Albany half or 2nd 5k to your 2016 calendar!  Hope to see YOU there next year!  

Albany Half early registration $55.00 (includes a dri-fit shirt)

5k early registration $20.00 (includes a dri-fit shirt)

Kids race $5.00

This is a fundraiser for Albany Schools

Want to volunteer or get more information for 2016?

  Contact Bryce Bennett at (541) 730-0413 or bryce.bennett@albany.k12.or.us

Follow Albany Half on facebook here. 

Follow Julie (me) on facebook via ZaoFit here.

Upcoming races:

REVEL Big Cottonwood Marathon Sept 12, 2015

Runaway Pumpkin Half Oct 17, 2015

Uberthons Halloweenathon 5k Oct 31, 2015

Run Wild Adventures Silver Falls 7 mile trail run Nov 7, 2015

Uberthons Turkeython 5k Nov 26, 2015

Uberthons NaughtyorNiceathon 5k Dec 12, 2015

Uberthons Winter Half  Jan 23, 2016

                                              

Race Preview: Albany Half Marathon August 15th 2015

ALBANY HALF 2014

I am looking forward to the 3rd Albany Half Marathon.  This will be my 3rd year running it!  I'm excited they have added a 5k and kids mile run this year!  Fun for the whole family! Everyone is welcome. Walkers, runners, strollers and dogs! 

WHEN: This event takes place August 15th at Timber Linn Park in Albany OR.  

COST:
~Half Marathon $55.00 July 1st to August 14th.  August 15th $65.00 (day of race)
Includes a dri-fit shirt and medal at the finish line
~5k $25.00 and includes a dri-fit shirt
~Kids mile (age 12 and under) $5.00

Register here

Professional chip timing by Eclectic Edge Racing

Packet pick up is the morning of the race only.

Day of race schedule:

5:30 am Parking opens and registration opens
6:00 am Pick-up race packets and vendors arrive
7:00 am Walkers start the half marathon
8:00 am Runner start the half marathon
8:30 am 5k starts
8:45 am Kids mile starts
10:30 Awards

ALBANY HALF 2013

There will be water stations set up about every two miles.  At mile 6.5 there will be a nutrition station and porta potty as well.

I have ran this both years and it was well organized with lots of fun drawings at the end during awards. Top ten males and females in each age group will receive prizes. All proceeds goes to the Albany Schools. Course is a "loop" progressing through local farms.  A slight incline about mile 6.  You will get a fabulous view of rural homesteads, go over a few rolling hills and see the base of the cascades. You don't want to miss this one!

Read my Review from 2104 here 

You can contact Bryce Bennett at 541-730-0413 or e-mail at bryce.bennett.albany.k12.or.us with any questions. 

Upcoming races: 

Uberthons Summer Half July 18th

Summerfest 5k July 25th

Albany Half  August 15th

REVEL Big Cottonwood Marathon July 12th

Runaway Pumpkin Half October 17th

Uberthons Halloweenathon October 31st

Follow me at ZaoFit

Albany Half 2014 Review

 Last year I did the Inaugural Albany Half, so this year it was on my list of races to do again.  Summer Halves aren't my favorite because of the heat, but they are good for training! 

The 2nd Albany Half Marathon was held at Timber Linn Park on Saturday Aug. 16th

Registration was $45 before July 1st,  $55 after....or $65 on race day.  Your fee included at dri-fit shirt and a medal at the finish line.

All race proceeds and sponsorships went back to the Albany schools. 

My FAVORITE, Dutch Bros was there!!!

This year there were some small changes that made the Albany Half even better than last year.  First of all, when I got to packet pick up the line seemed to flow better.  I was handed my bib number, a dri-fit shirt and a bag with coupons and advertisements in it.  There were more vendors than last year.  I always enjoy walking around looking at vendor booths at races.

This year instead of starting on the grass, we stared on the asphalt with chip timing. That's always a plus in my book! 

There were more porta potties this year.  I used them several times before the race started and never had to stand in line.  Last year I stood in line.  

There was plenty of road control out on the course as well. The Linn County Sheriff's Dept. and The Albany Police Dept. were out on course stopping cars when the runners needed to cross the streets.

There was Energy Gu and Gatorade out on the course along with plenty of water, much needed in summer races. The water was about every two miles with plenty of volunteers.   

Nice bright orange dri-fit shirt this yr!

They offered a walkers start at 7:00 am.  I started with the runners at 8:00 am.  The weather seemed cooler than last year (slightly, lol).  The first several miles were nice and flat.  We ran through local farm land. The course was a big loop.  Half way, our split time was taken.  There was a nice water station and a port a potty for those in need!  Thankfully, I was not in need!!!!!  

My stomach did begin hurting very badly around this time for some unknown reason.  I had to take it down a notch for some relief.  Had to slow down quite a bit!

About mile 7 began the rolling hills and I started seeing walkers.  I always enjoy a race when they start the walkers early so the runners can catch up with them.  Somehow this gives me something to look forward too! It was starting to get hot.

About mile 11 my stomach began to feel better and I was able to speed back up and finish pretty strong.  I like the changes made at the end of the race this year.  We ended on a better road this time and didn't have to run in a grass field.   Every finisher got to hear their named called as they crossed the finish line.  That's always fun.

Some good eats at the end of the race

Fun Raffles and Award.  Lots of Raffles were drawn making it fun at the end for the runners.

AdvoCare Advisor Jennifer Tress
(360) 635-8574
https://www.advocare.com/140169742

Albany Sport & Spine Physical Therapy
541-928-1411
617 Hickory St NW Suite 160
Albany, OR 97321

Advanced Chiropractic
Keven M. Ross, DC
1117 Pacific Blvd SE
Albany, OR 97321
541-928-1010

Mid Valley Physical Therapy
Gregory Pick
631 Elm St. SW, Suite 205
Albany, OR 97321
541-967-1224

These are a few of the vendors I talked too!  There were MORE!  So fun!

 Ended at 1:55.27... 2nd place in age group.  10th women and 52nd runner overall.

If you have any questions about the Albany Half Marathon, please contact Bryce Bennett at 541-730-0413 or bryce.bennett@albany.k12.or.us