Marty Mazur provides his unique perspective on the 1/2-marathon run on the edge of the Penn State University Park campus.
Saturday was about the best day you could ask for to hold a half marathon. Mild (low 50s), mostly cloudy. It sure beat the blustery cold of 2 years ago and the toasty conditions of last year's race (though it sure was fun lining up for the start last year with everyone dressed like they were gonna run the summertime Art's Fest race).
The race was well organized. Thanks to race co-directors Dave Eggler and Morgan Wasikonis. And thanks to all the many volunteers. Mike Dooris, Greg Fredericks, Gerry Glyde, Jim Moore, Tim Scitti, Therese Brown and Dave Boger are just a few of the Rec Hall Regulars that I saw along the way. I'm not sure if Tom Cali was there to help or to taunt. When he pulled up to me just before the start of the race in his silver Porsche, I almost blew off the race and hopped in. (Actually, the way I ran, that would've been the smart thing.) Thanks also to the many other NVTC volunteers that I saw along the course.
My capsule review of the course that somehow got incorporated into the pre-race web page Dave Boger put together still stands. The last hill, up Orchard Road was a most religious experience. When I crested the hill, tired as I was, I did not "see God", though the smiling visage of Gerry Glyde, his hand reaching out in encouragement, bore some resemblance to a Michaelangelo fresco I once saw. I've got to get past running that last mile in 10+ minutes and I'll be fine.
Congratulations to all who ran,
to all who finished, to all who bested their previous times, to all who
won prizes, and especially to Simon Tavener, Jim Kisenwether, Ken Forstmeier,
Ron Cunfer, Rick Brazier and
Jenny Zilberberg, members of
my Thursday Track crew who ran the race. Rick, that was a HELL of a run!
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