Race #142 - Battle of the Triad Half Marathon - Kernersville, NC - 08/27/11

This was my 25th half marathon, and if there's anything I've learned in those 25 races it's that 13.1 miles still feels like 13.1 miles no matter how many times I run it. Seems like I'm always running out of gas about 10 miles into the race but so far I've managed to have enough fumes to cross the finish line. I'm not sure I've mentioned it in the blog until now, but one of my goals this year is to run at least one half marathon each month in 2011, and so far I'm on track...


  • January:  Resolution Run Half Marathon - Travelers Rest, SC - (01/08/11)(Time 1:45:46)
  • February:  Myrtle Beach Half Marathon - Myrtle Beach, SC - (02/19/11)(Time 1:34:21)
  • March:  Germantown Half Marathon - Memphis, TN - (03/20/11)(Time 1:36:38)
  • April:  Knoxville Half Marathon - Knoxville, TN - (04/03/11)(Time 1:59:08)
  • May:  New River Half Marathon - Todd, NC - (05/07/11)(Time 1:46:37)
  • June:  Charity Chase Half Marathon - Hickory, NC - (06/04/11)(Time 1:42:15)
  • July:  The Scream Half Marathon - Jonas Ridge, NC - (07/16/11)(Time 1:32:11)
  • August:  Battle of the Triad Half Marathon - Kernersville, NC - (08/27/11)(Time 1:39:44)


And these are on my schedule for the rest of the year...


  • September:  Run for Green Half Marathon - Davidson, NC - (09/17/11)
  • October:  Spinx Run Fest Half Marathon - Greenville, SC - (10/29/11)
  • November:  Thunder Road Half Marathon - Charlotte, NC - (11/12/11)
  • December:  Columbia Half Marathon - Columbia, SC - (12/17/11)


Anyway, that's the plan. I just like trying to keep myself in half marathon shape by running them when I get a chance.

Before I go off on a tangent, let me get back to the Battle of the Triad Half Marathon. This race was a little on the smallish side compared to most other half marathons I've run, with only 171 finishers, but it was well organized and a lot of fun. I wasn't thrilled with my time of 1:39:44, but I finished 16th overall so I wasn't the only one who had a less-than-stellar time. With Hurricane Irene looming off the coast of North Carolina, the winds were probably around 20-25 miles per hour throughout the entire race, and for some reason we seemed to be running into a headwind almost the whole time. One time I felt the wind at my back, but that was short-lived, and after a minute or two I was again running head-on into the wind. I heard that same observation from other runners as well. It was a fairly hilly course as well, not nearly as bad as Asheville or Hickory, but there were lots of hills to contend with.

There were a lot of nice little extras that this race provided. The goody bag not only included a nice water bottle but an embroidered running hat with the "Battle of the Triad" logo. Linda ran the 5k (she won her age group too!) and while she waited for me to finish the half marathon they were giving away extra shirts and hats from last year, so we came home with 3 running hats and 3 race shirts. The T-shirts are great quality tech shirts with a nice design. The engraved marble plaques for age group awards were top-notch as well, and all half marathon finishers received a nice finishers medal. There was also plenty of post-race food including Panini sandwiches, soft drinks, chocolate milk as well as regular post-race fare.

Click Here for Race Results

Race Rating:


6 - 1-10  Website (Information, results, registration, photo links, etc.)
8 - 1-10  Awards (Quality of medals, trophies, etc.) (1 to 10)
6 - 1-10  Awards Presentation (PA system, winning times, etc.) (1 to 10)
8 - 1-10  Food for Race Participants (1 to 10)
8 - 1-10  T-Shirts (1 to 10 with 5 being average)
4 - 4/6   Part of Race Series (Grand Prix, etc.) (6=Yes and 4=No)
0 - 0/5   Professional Photography (5=Yes and 0=No)
6 - 4/6   Chip Timing (6=Yes and 4=No)
7 - 3/7   Certified Course (by USA Track & Field) (7=Yes and 3=No)
7 - 1-10  Course (1 to 10 with 5 being average)
9 - 1-10  Parking (1 to 10 with 5 being average)
7 - 1-10  Entertainment (1 to 10 with 5 being average)
10 - 0-10  Age Groups (10 if 5-year groups; 0 if 10-year groups)
5 - 0/5   Indoor Shelter from Elements (0 if none; 5 if provided)
4 - 1-10  Bathroom Facilities (no porta potties at location or on course)
0-10  Other

TOTAL - 95

Race Stats:

1st Overall Male: Rich Swor (1:12:28)
1st Overall Female: Heather Magill (1:25:15)
Total Finishers:  171

My Stats:

Time:  1:39:44
Pace:  7:32
Age Group:  1 of 5
Overall:  16 of 171


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