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Wisconsin > La Crosse Fitness Festival Marathon, Half
Marathon & 5K
La Crosse, WI
Date
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Event
Details
Surrounded by bluffs that tower over the flat river plain on which much
of the city sits, the Wisconsin city of La Crosse expects to welcome
thousands of runners and walkers to its second annual La Crosse Fitness
Festival in the spring of 2010, at which participants can choose among
a series of outdoor athletic events -- from the full, 26.2-mile
marathon and 13.1-mile half marathon to the 5K run/walk and a cycling
race. The event will take runners through southern Wisconsin's
Mississippi River Valley, often called the Coulee Region thanks to the
plentiful narrow river valleys between the mountain ridges that
surround the area.
Those running in the half-marathon will start their race in La Crosse's
Pettibone Park, which lies right in the middle of the river between the
two states and is a popular spot for camping, fishing, disc golf and
just getting outdoors to the beach area along the Mississippi. From
there, the race route takes runners across the river over the Highway
16 bridge and then into La Crosse, along what is best described as a
roughly U-shaped course through the city, along a mix of straightaways
and many twists and turns through the city's streets and neighborhoods,
especially in the middle miles of the race.
As they make their way through the first half of the race, runners
spend a lot of their time along the banks of the river, along the
stretches that run roughly parallel to South Avenue and Mormon Coulee
Road. Once runners reach the southernmost point of the course near
Hillview Golf Course, they begin making their way northward again,
heading up Cliffside Drive with the mountains and bluffs looking over
the city just over their right shoulders, and the river in the distance
to their left.
After running through a number of residential areas and business
districts, participants finish the race at Myrick Park just off La
Crosse Street, near the campus of the University of Wisconsin-La
Crosse. The race -- which is also known as the St. Clare Health Mission
Half Marathon -- takes place entirely on paved surfaces and starts at
7:30 AM. Wheelchair participants are welcome and encouraged to
participate in the half, which they may start at 7:25 AM.
Race
Weather & Climate
Nestled along the banks of the Mississippi River that splits the border
between Minnesota and
Wisconsin, the city of La Crosse typically sees mild to moderately cool
weather conditions in the mid- to late spring, with heavier rainfall
than the winter months. In May, average monthly temperatures range
between 72°F and 49°F, while rainfall totals average
around 3.38 inches for the month.
Fees
$55 for the half marathon, if registered by January 1, 2010
$60 between January 2 - February 28, 2010
$65 after March 1
Registration
To reserve your spot in the spring 2010 running of Wisconsin's La
Crosse Fitness Festival Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K, register
online at Active.com.
Website
www.lacrossefitnessfestival.com
Half
Marathon Course Map
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Larger Map
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Your Race Story
Ever run in La Crosse's annual Fitness Festival Half Marathon?
Share
your impressions and read fellow runners' stories
and tips for the event.
Post your comments in Runner Reviews for the LaCrosse Fitness Festival Half
Marathon
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