Sunday, January 3, 2016 • Collierville, TN • Course Map
The third annual Herb Parsons Trail Marathon and Half Marathon is set for Sunday, January 2nd, 2016. The race will be run at Herb Parsons Lake in Collierville, Tennessee, a suburb of Memphis with a population of 50,000. Herb Parsons Lake is roughly 177 acres and is named after Herb Parsons, an exhibition shooter. Approximately 150 runners ran in the marathon and half marathon combined in 2015, with 113 competitions in the half marathon alone.
The half marathon course takes place completely on the trails around Herb Parsons Lake. It is an out and back course on a single track trail for the half marathon and two out and backs for the full marathon. Runners can expect a shaded course with some twists and turns as well as a few rocks and plenty of roots. The race will start on the west side of the parking lot, and will follow the trail until the 6.56 mile mark where runners will find an aid station at Lakeview Road. At this point runners will turn around and head back along the same trail back to the start and finish area. All runners will receive a medal upon completion.
The course is very easy to follow as it will be well-marked with ribbons and arrow signs as well as aid stations at the 3.35, 6.56 and 9.8 mile marks for the half marathon. Runners will have 7.5 hours to complete the marathon and 7 hours to complete the half marathon. This means that runners should be through the turnaround point aid station by noon. Runners should keep in mind that the course is not USATF certified and is therefore not a Boston Marathon qualifying event.
Pre-race packet pickup is scheduled to take place on Saturday January 2nd at Three Guys Pizza Pies from 5:00pm-6:30pm. Race day packet pickup will begin at 7:15am at Herb Parsons at the race start line. The marathon will start at 8:00am, followed by the half marathon which will start at 8:30am. When arriving on race morning, there will be plenty of parking space at the lake at a paved parking area or along the grass areas along the lake entry road.
Race Weather & Climate
Located along Tennessee’s Southwestern border with Mississippi, Collierville typically sees mild to occasionally cold weather in January, with an average precipitation of around 4 inches. Collierville has seen January temperatures as low as 6°F (in 2001) and as high as 77°F (in 2002).
On race day (Jan 3), the average low is 29ºF and the average high is 48ºF.
Past Results
Course Map
See the race route map for the Herb Parsons Half Marathon here.
Starting Time
8:30 AM
Fees
- $35, until December 2
- $50, after December 2
Registration
To reserve your spot in the 2016 running of Herb Parsons Half Marathon, register online here.
Official Race Website
Facebook Conversations
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