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Pennsylvania > Capital Blue Cross Harrisburg Half Marathon
Harrisburg,
PA
Date
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Event
Details
A beautifully scenic course that unfolds almost entirely along the
banks of the Susquehanna River forms the backdrop for runners at
Pennsylvania's Capital Blue Cross Harrisburg Half Marathon, which marks
its 13th annual
running in the late summer of 2009. Organizers say the race has
experienced remarkable growth in recent years, reaching just over 1,000
entrants in 2008, a big jump up from the 100 or so runners who
completed the race's
inaugural running in 1997.
Of course, it's easy to see why the race has attracted such a following
when you get a look at the route, which starts and finishes on
Harrisburg's City Island, which lies smack in the middle of the
Susquehanna and is linked to the mainland by bridge. After starting off
and making a loop around the island, runners cross the Walnut Street
bridge and then make a turn toward the right, where they head along the
riverfront trails that parallel South Front Street.
Runners hit the race's first turnaround point just after the mile 2
marker, south of Sycamore Street, and then turn around and head
northward along the river. This long stretch of the race winds several
miles up along the riverbanks, through Harrisburg's Riverfront Park, a
linear park whose lovingly manicured gardens, brick plazas, gazebos and
river overlooks have made it perhaps the city's most popular outdoor
park.
The course continues winding northward all the way up to the Estherton
and Windsor Farms neighborhoods, where runners reach the turnaround and
make a few turns through the city streets just south of Interstate 81.
After making the turn off North Front Street and onto Montrose, 6th
Street and then 2nd Street, runners head back onto Front Street for the
last few miles of the race, which take them back along the route
they've just run toward the finish line back on City Island.
Thanks in part to its location along the river, the course is mostly
fast and flat and features paved surfaces throughout. Runners can
expect a few uphill and downhill stretches, particularly at the start
and near the finish of the race, as the bridge crossing back and forth
from City Island will involve some hills. Runners can also expect to
encounter some rolling hills around the middle sections of the course,
between mile markers 6 and 9.
Race
Weather & Climate
Located along the banks of the Susquehanna River in southern
Pennsylvania, just over 100 miles northeast of Philadelphia, the city
of Harrisburg typically experiences mild to moderately warm weather
conditions in the late summer and early fall, with relatively even
precipitation amounts throughout the year (except for the spring, when
the area usually sees its heaviest precipitation). In September,
Harrisburg's average monthly temperatures range between 76°F
and 57°F, while rainfall totals average about 3.65 inches for
the month.
Fees
$40 if registered by August 8, 2009
$45 between Aug. 9 - September 5
$50 after Sept. 5
Registration
To reserve your spot in the late summer 2009 running of Pennsylvania's
Harrisburg Half Marathon, register online at Active.com.
Website
www.harrisburgymcaraces.com
Course Map
View Larger Map
Share
Your Race Story
Ever run in Pennsylvania's Harrisburg Half Marathon?
Share
your impressions and read fellow runners' stories
and tips for the event.
Post your comments in Runner Reviews for the Harrisburg Half
Marathon
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