Movie Madness Half Marathon 2013

I was looking for a half marathon to run in preparation for an upcoming 70.3 tri. Mid May worked into the schedule nicely and I set out to find a race not too far from home.  I found the Movie Madness Half Marathon in Grantville, PA put on by US Road Running.   I stayed with good friends the night before and from their house it was a 40 or so minute drive to the race start at the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.  It had been years since I had been to that area and I enjoyed my early morning drive very much.  On my way there I passed through the outskirts of Hershey and a side road took me right through the Hershey Country Club.  It made me smile and brought back memories of attending LPGA Tournaments there in the 1980's.  As I got closer to the Casino, I could see the beautiful foothills of the Appalachian Mountain Range.

Packet pickup was quick and easy and I had plenty of time to pin my number on and warm up.  At the other end of the parking lot you could walk right up to the race track and watch the morning workouts.  It was warm, but overcast and there was a bit of wind.

The Fun Run Trophy Fetch was first up and a lot of fun to watch.  The trophies were all lined up waiting to be "fetched" and taken to the finish line.

Next up was the half marathon.  Most races start with "runners on your mark, set and a shot or horn".  In keeping with the Movie theme, this one started with "lights, camera, action"!   I had no idea what the terrain was like, but I knew the course was an out and back that went away from the mountains.  The start was a fast downhill and I made an effort to hold back.  From about the end of the first mile to the last mile (which was mostly uphill), the course was like a roller coaster!  If you like running rollers then you would love this course.  There were a few steep climbs in there as well-one that culminated with a run through a cemetery.  How appropriate!!!!  I just couldn't get in a groove with my pace and  ended up walking through the water stops and on a few steep climbs.  Luckily it stayed cloudy to help keep the temperatures down.  All in all I was happy with my finish and to feel good especially since it was such a challenging course.  This was my longest run since Disney!  There weren't many water stops on the course, but they did offer water and Gatorade.  One was stocked with gummie bears too. 

Post race food was a little sparse-some slider sized sandwiches, chips, popcorn and gummie bears.   I always have my PowerBar Recovery Drink, so I wasn't too concerned about the food.  I knew there would be plenty of places to stop on my drive home as well.  As for swag, the race packet included a nice tech T-shirt, 13.1 sticker and a full color bib.  There were plenty of awards for overall and age group winners as well as costumed runners.  Double kudos to anyone that ran this course in a costume!!  I ended up 1st in my AG and brought home a Tony!!!  I'm ready for my close up Mr. DeMille!!!!!!

On course:  Water, Gatorade, 2 PowerBar Gels