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The race is run through an area of exceptional natural beauty. The Parks Half
Marathon has been created to showcase that beauty, so please make use of the
many trash bins along the course to deposit your used gel packs and water cups.
Even tossing your cup to within a few feet of the trash bins will greatly
assist the post-race clean up effort.
To allow safe passage for all runners regardless of their pace, please do not
run more than two abreast during the race.
Every mile will be clearly marked with a bright yellow mile placard.
Fully staffed and entertaining aid stations will be positioned every two miles on the course within a few yards of
each mile marker (… just so you can hit your split before grabbing a cup Gatorade or or Drinkmore Water).
Fluid stations will also be at the start and finish.
Aid stations will be closed based on a 12:36 minute-per-mile pace. Please refer
to our Course Time Limit for more details.
Fluid stations will be at the start and finish, plus six fluid stations along the course every two miles. DrinkMore Water will be
available at every fluid station with Gatorade and Drinkmore Water at every other station.
Port-a-johns will be provided at the start and finish. They will also be
available on the course at miles 1, 2.7, 4, 6, 9, and 11. Signs will be posted
100 meters before the port-a-johns to notify runners as they approach.
Use of jogging strollers, headphones, and cell phones during the race is
strictly prohibited. Competitors seen using any of these devices during the
race will be disqualified.
....And now for the course information....
The race starts at the intersection of S. Stonestreet and Highland Avenue near
the Rockville Metro station and heads south to Viers Mill Road.
Runners will enter Viers Mill Road eastbound via the Stonestreet underpass and
continue straight on Viers Mill Road until reaching the Rock Creek Hiker/Biker
trail at roughly the 2.5 mile mark.
Runners will then turn right onto the trail heading south.
While the course offers a net downhill finish it also offers a mix of flat and
fast area and rolling hills. The height of the hills comes roughly at four
miles where runners will be greeted with steep and turning 200 meter incline.
The course continues to follow the Rock Creek Stream Valley crossing Randolph
Road, through Dewey Park and Ken-Gar Palisades Parks, Grosvenor Lane, under
Connecticut Avenue, pass the Audubon Society sanctuary and to the intersection
of Susanna Lane and Jones Mill Road where runners will exit the Rock Creek
Trail to run 2 of the final 2.1 miles on the Capitol Crescent/Georgetown Branch
Trail.
The Georgetown Branch Trail will take runners past the Columbia Country Club in
Chevy Chase and ultimately to the Air Rights tunnel where you will hear the
screaming throngs of spectators awaiting your sprint to the finish line as you
exit the tunnel and enter finish line festival in downtown Bethesda.
The surface of the Rock Creek Hiker/Biker trail is asphalt which changes to
crushed gravel upon reaching the Capitol Crescent/Georgetown Branch Trail.
From the point when the course turns onto the hiker/biker trail from Viers Mill
Road runners should run no more than two abreast in order to allow others to
pass.
In the case of heavy rains in the two to three day period prior to the
Parks Half Marathon, runners can expect some water on
the course…. and we’re not talking about the kind served in cups. While the
Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission does a wonderful job
in maintaining the trail and preparing it for our race, there are several low
lying areas on the trail that present challenges in drainage following heavy
rains. So if presented, take the opportunity to do what every five year old
would do and splash through the puddles!
Enjoy your race, we look forward to seeing you at the finish!
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