Runner Triathlete News [ return ] From Message George Hammerlein   8/01/2003 15:58:14 Subject: Huntsville half marathon IP: Logged Message: Has any one run the Huntsville half- martathon in October? I am trying to get some feed back on the race. I live in cental Houston so it is in striking distance. How many people and is the course supported, etc.,. Steve   8/02/2003 12:22:31 RE: Huntsville half marathon IP: Logged Message: The race is making a comeback after not being held the last year or two. Previously it was on a challenging (hilly) two loop course. The last time I did the race (2000) the on course support was fine. Race is usually pretty small but attracts a fast field. Here's a shameless plug for the Koala/Luke's 20k to be held in downtown Houston on October 19th - hope it fits your schedule. This is the first race of the hp Houston Marathon Warmup Series consisting of 20k, 25k and 30k races. Steven K. 8/02/2003 20:03:25 RE: Huntsville half marathon IP: Logged Message: George, DO THE 20K! And get back to work :) Gary 8/04/2003 15:55:55 RE: Huntsville half marathon IP: Logged Message: The race has been held the last couple of years contrary to an earlier posting. It is very well organized plus you have access to locker rooms and showers after the race. They did move the date a couple of years back due to it coinciding with an annual festival date in downtown. Skip the 20k if you have done it before. Go enjoy the half. drummer 8/05/2003 04:17:06 RE: Huntsville half marathon IP: Logged Message: Yes 20k on concrete, turning back into the masses for a second lap, having to fight for water, and having split callers on the other side of the road. Sounds like fun! Do the half. Steve   8/05/2003 08:25:09 RE: Huntsville half marathon IP: Logged Message: My mistake, the half marathon made a comeback last year with 222 finishers. Contrary to a previous posting it was not held in 2001, just the 5k. Drummer, not sure where you're getting your facts. The split callers at the 20k are on the same side of the road as the runners, of course. The course used to be out-and-back on Memorial which is separated by a large median. It's an entirely new course this year, by the way, stay tuned for details. There's plenty of water at large water stations, plus sports drink at every water station plus a Carboom station. It's on concrete just like the Huntsville Half and essentially every other race in Houston. Lewis 8/05/2003 09:08:25 RE: Huntsville half marathon IP: Logged Message: If you don't mind the short drive up to Huntsville, why anyone would run the 20K over the Huntsville Half is beyond me. You have a choice of doing a race that runs through Sam Houston University, on the roads that cut right betweent the prison system, you run right next to the Prison cemetary, you run on some of the country roads outside of town, and the course runs through the charming little town of H'ville part of the way. ALso, there are plenty of hills. Or, you can go run the visually stimulating roads that surround downtown Houston. For a race the size of the 20K, they do a great job. However, when there is a choice between the two races, I know where I'll be. drummer 8/05/2003 10:03:11 RE: Huntsville half marathon IP: Logged Message: getting my info, from having run the race three years. during the second half of the race the water stops are so crowded you can't get water, the split callers are on the wrong side of the road not htat it would matter because you can't get close enough to hear them anyway. The front half of the pack consumes the back half on the second loop and caos occurs. Wally 8/05/2003 20:06:57 RE: Huntsville half marathon IP: Logged Message: Year after year people trash the 20K and never say a word about it's sister race, the 25K. The 20K is two loops and only the very fastest runners will catch up to the pack and find crowded water stops. Sure, there will be a few walkers that get passed by many people, but in general it's not that bad. The mile split callers are all stationed directly in front of the mile markers. If you choose to hear your split, then run close to the markers. Now the 25K runs 3 loops and in that race the pack does get very overlapped by lots of folks. There aren't mile split callers at every mile and the water stops are not well manned. It has been on the same Memorial Drive loop as the 20K. But, people always leave it alone and do all their complaining about the 20K. The 20K has the best staffed water stops and split callers at every mile. It is a top notch race. I am really excited about hearing more about the new 20K course. I don't know much about the Huntsville half, but am sure it is a nice race as well. But for an in-town race, the 20K is tops! Thanks Houston Striders for putting on a great race. Michael B. 8/05/2003 20:54:58 RE: Huntsville half marathon IP: Logged Message: So, you want me to drive an hour to Prison ville, start a half marathon at 8 am in October (heat), run 13.1 miles with no crowd support, on concrete/asphalt (what's the f***ng difference??), with only 200 runners, and sporadic water/aid stations, finish, drive an hour back to Houston... no thanks, I'll do the 20K... like the other 2,500+ logical/ rational participants of the HP Houston Marathon Warm Up Series! ps... race directors of their own event should not post their individual biases/opinions! Lewis 8/06/2003 09:19:33 RE: Huntsville half marathon IP: Logged Message: You're right. It will be hot up in H'ville that day. THe week after that for the 20K, I'm sure the temperature will be 40 degrees at race time. I don't know if you were referring to me or not, but I'm not the race director. I've run the H'ville half at least 6 times now. I just really enjoy the race. If there ever is a fun and interesting course, the H'ville half is it. The long journey to H'ville has never bothered me. Nor does it bother all the other people from Houston(might I add the same people) who make the trip up there every year. There's a reason we all keep going back... Running the hills has never hurt anybodys training. I've also NEVER experienced any water problems up there. If you did, or that is a concern of yours, carry a water bottle with you. Being the races are on consecutive weekends, I very well might do both races. That would be 2 long runs at a good hard pace on 2 consecutive weekends. I bet I won't be the only one. P 1 Next Page>>