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Alabama > Talladega 21000 Half Marathon
Talladega,
AL
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Date
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Event
Details
Featuring a loop course that takes runners around the world-famous
Talladega Superspeedway, the Talladega 21000 Half Marathon &
2-Mile Challenge saw its first-ever running in the spring of 2009, when
more than 320 runners crossed the finish line in the race's cleverly
named "21000" race (for 21,000 meters, or 21K, equaling 13.1 miles).
From the starting line on the race track's Pit Road, runners begin a
loop around the speedway heading south along what is called the apron,
a 12-ft.-wide stretch that looks over onto the inclined bank, where
NASCAR drivers speed along and where you'll no doubt be amazed that the
cars are able to make it around safely. After making their way around
the track's southern end (near the second turn for drivers) they begin
heading northward again along the eastern side of the track, and exit
the raceway on the third turn.
The race course next follows a service road that overlooks the third
and fourth turns, which takes runners to the next stretch of the race
outside the track, through the entrance gates on its western side and
onto a series of roads just to the west of the speedway. Runners make
what could roughly be described as a semi-loop along these roads, and
then head back into the raceway for the second half of the race.
After some turns onto a service road and then up toward the west
grandstands area (a stretch that includes the steepest hill of the
race), runners then head into the pancake-flat raceway infield, where
race-day partiers converge. The last couple of miles of the race make
one last loop around the speedway as runners finish the race where
drivers also finish during their race, and where a checkered flag
awaits.
Those running in the "21000" half marathon start their race at 8:30 AM,
followed by those running the 2-mile Challenge at 8:50 AM. Proceeds
from the race benefit prostate cancer research, education and patient
support programs at the University of Alabama-Birmingham's Division of
Urology.
Race
Weather & Climate
Located in central Alabama, just over 50 miles east of Birmingham, the
Talladega area typically experiences mild to
moderately warm weather in the mid-spring season, and usually has
relatively even rainfall from April through June (March is the city's
wettest month on average).
In April, Talladega's average monthly temperatures range from a high of
75°F to a low of 45°F, while rainfall totals during the
month average about 4.8 inches.
Fees
$50 for the half marathon, if registered by March 31, 2009
$60 between April 1 - 10
$75 on the day of the race
Registration
Registration for the spring 2009 running of Alabama's Talladega 21000
Half Marathon is now closed, as the event has completed. Please check
back for updated information on how to sign up for the 2010 running of
the race.
Website
talladega21000.kintera.org
Course Map
View Larger Map
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Your Race Story
Ever run in Alabama's Talladega 21000 Half Marathon? Share
your impressions and read fellow runners' stories
and tips for the event.
Post your comments in Runner Reviews for the Talladega 21000 Half
Marathon
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