|
|
Virginia > Santa's Big Butt Half Marathon & 13.5K
Front Royal,
VA
Date
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Event
Details
Set for its first-ever running here in this small town in Virginia's
Shenandoah Valley, which lies just a short drive from the entrance to
Shenandoah National Park and features a range of Civil War historic
sites, Front Royal's Santa's Big Butt Half Marathon & 13.5 K
race will take runners on an out-and-back loop course through the
rolling hills here in the valley, from the starting line at Bowling
Green Country Club in northern Virginia's Warren County.
Why the name "Santa's Big Butt" for the race, you might ask? The
organizers are planning the race as a low-key, fun race unaffiliated
with any race or runners organization, and took as inspiration the name
that ultramarathon designation "fat ass race" for an event that's
informally organized and run without any of the staff or support common
at larger races.
They definitely want participants to have fun with
this race too, but also caution that there won't be support out on the
course, so runners are encouraged to bring their own water bottles and
make sure to dress warmly, as conditions will likely be quite cold for
this race.
From the starting line at Bowling Green Country Club, on Bowling Green
Road just northeast of Front Royal, the race follows a roughly
counter-clockwise loop route, heading out first for a stretch around
the club's golf course and then out onto Milldale Road, which runners
follow for about the next five miles. Runners can expect rolling hills
and up-and-down stretches throughout the first half of the race, and
then make the turn onto Bordens Spring Road to start the second half.
After the turn onto Bordens Spring, the field follows the road as it
heads west and then turns south, for the stretch that takes them all
the way southwest back to the finish line at the country club. The
biggest hill occurs between mile markers 10 and 12, and then it's
mostly downhill (except for one last hill after mile 12) into the
finish line.
Note: Please be sure to check the race
website (link is below) before traveling to the race, as weather
conditions will determine whether the race is held or not.
Race
Weather & Climate
Located in northern Virginia, roughly 70 miles west of Washington,
D.C., the town of Front Royal typically experiences fairly cold weather
conditions in the early winter season, and rain and/or frozen
precipitation is possible this time of year. In December, the town's
average monthly temperatures range between 46°F and
22°F, while precipitation amounts average about 2.8 inches for
the month.
Fees
Free for all participants
Registration
To reserve your spot in the winter 2009 running of Front Royal's
Santa's Big Butt Half Marathon & 13.5K, simply show up on race
day at Bowling Green Country Club North.
Website
user.shentel.net
Half
Marathon Course Map
Share
Your Race Story
Ever run in Virginia's annual Santa's Big Butt Half Marathon or 13.5K?
Share
your impressions and read fellow runners' stories
and tips for the event.
Post your comments in Runner Reviews for the Santa's Big Butt
Half Marathon
|
|
|
