RACE REPORT: GREENTENNIAL HALF MARATHON (16K) - May 22, 2011

My race report on the Greentennial Half Marathon. I did the 16K distance. The report has a similar format as my Perfect Race blog post.

This is my first 16K! My wife ran her second 16K and my son ran his first 10K.

I didn't have big expectations from this race as I just came from being sick and missed a lot of running days, plus my left foot still hurts.

My plan for this race was to pace with my wife who planned a 2:1 run-walk ratio. The most memorable thing with this race was the heat. It was so hard because it was so hot. Kudos to the organizers for lots of water - I practically took baths at water stations at the last 5 kilometers, and for lots of ice - I put ice on my head held by my cap which worked to cool me in between water stations. I don't normally go through those water showers because I don't want to get my shoes wet, but this time, I didn't want to leave. It was a good thing the course was flat all the way, I'm sure I would have entertained thoughts of quitting if I saw a flyover on the latter part of the course.

We finished in under 2:24. What a relief it was to cross the finish line. My wife was pleasantly surprised to be handed a stub stating that she was in the top 100 female and that she can claim a finisher's shirt. She also bested her PR even with that heat. My son finished his first 10K in 54 minutes and was in the top 50 overall.

• Water Stations: Many and well stocked and with .ice.
  
• Cheering: I didn't notice any
  
• Route: The route was nice and flat and was clear of vehicles. The road was very wide so there was no crowding even if there was merging of the 5, 10, 16 and 21K runners. But I didn't like the turns to U-turns at the latter half of the course.
  
• Traffic management: Very good. There were no cars on the route. And I didn't hear angry motorists.
• Kilometer Markers: There were absolutely none.
  
• Weather: Very hot.
• Marshals: There were very few.
• Singlets: Yes. I didn't use this in the run.
• Timing chip: Yes.
• Race Results: Were already out that afternoon.
  
• Photos: Yes. They were volunteers or those who joined the photo contest.
  
• A run for charity: Yes.
  
• Finisher's shirt: Only for the top 100 per distance per gender category.
  
• Finisher's medal: Yes. But the ribbon easily broke. I broke mine when I put it on, then had it replaced. After getting my drink, my wife said she lost her medal, then I noticed mine was gone too. I guess the ribbon broke again. So we went back to the finish line and asked for another one. Good thing they were understanding and gave us replacements.
  
• Injuries: None. Thank God! My heel pain didn't worsen.
• Personal Best: Yes! It's my first.

PERFECT Race Experience Index: PERFE

Things I really liked:

• My first 16K
  
• Results were out that afternoon.
• Flat course with wide roads to ourselves.
  
• Lots of ice.
• P500 registration fee
  
• Free parking
  

Things that they can improve on:

• More marshals.
  
• There were too many U-turns.
• The medals easily broke.
• Start earlier if possible so that it's not too hot.
• Kilometer markers