In my short running career, I’ve only run one half-marathon. But that single run has been one of the greatest running experiences of the year. The Other Half – Moab Half Marathon has it all – great support staff, generous swag, and a route that takes participants through some of the most scenic landscapes in Utah.
The Other Half is (of course) a 13.1-mile long race on Highway 128 that begins at Dewey Bridge and runs alongside the Colorado River to the Sorrel River Ranch Resort. If you’ve ever driven down this stretch of road, or floated on the river through the canyon, you already know the incredible scenery that splashes across the horizon around every corner. You can name off the iconic rock features that line up like dominoes. Fisher Towers, Castleton Tower, The Rectory, and the La Sal Mountains greet runners with their beauty and turn a simple run into a moving red rock slideshow.
Scenery aside, the organization of the run is really good. Of course, when dealing with an event that tries to accomodate so many runners, nothing can be perfect. As always, there are never enough bathrooms. The amount of port-o-potties was inadequate, not only based on the long lines at the starting line, but especially at the finish line where all 2,300 or so runners are combined with spectators and family members.
The shuttle system, while inconvenient, is necessary, and it flowed like clockwork. Am army of school bus and shuttle drivers got all the runners to the starting line on time, and efficiently transported everyone to the gravel lot at the end in a timely manner. I commend the organization to pull this off and I never heard a single complaint regarding the mandatory shuttle system.
The starting line was sufficient, though there was no place one would want to sit down and stretch muscles amidst the dust and dirt. Manned tents provided water, coffee and hot chocolate, a few barrels housed small fires to keep people warm in the chill morning air, and the announcer kept things moving with rocking music. Marching behind the sound of a Taiko drummer, everyone lined up to the starting line and took off at 8:30 sharp.
The highway is closed to vehicles during the race, giving runners two lanes of roadway to run on – plenty of space to look up and enjoy the scenery. Aid stations were placed every two miles where cheerful volunteers handed out water, sport drinks and sometimes energy gels. But the best station of all came at mile 12, where the Taiko drums at the top of the hill pounded out a rousing beat to motivate everybody through to the finish line. They were awesome.
The finish line was a veritable city of runner post-race comfort. Tons of food like bread, watermelons, oranges, cheese, chocolate milk, water and more was made available for recovery. Live music, raffle drawings, an awards ceremony and plenty of grass to lounge on helped pass the time with friends and family. But best of all, was the beer garden featuring microbrews from the Moab Brewery. Lizard Lager and Deadhorse Amber was poured into keepsake pint glasses for free… on a Sunday. For me, nothing tastes better or is more deserving after a long run than a cold beer, and the fact it was all there at the Other Half Moab Half Marathon made me a very happy boy.
So if you’re a runner looking for a half marathon to sign up for, I highly recommend you check out the Other Half Moab Half Marathon. The scenery, race staff, organization and beer at the finish line all combine to create of the best runs in Utah.
For more information visit www.moabhalfmarathon.org/otherhalf/
For more races taking place in Moab look to http://www.discovermoab.com/calendar.htm