This was my second time running the Jenks Half Marathon, and other than changing the medal and the shirt, the race is largely the same.

The long sleeve technical shirt is one I will put in rotation for training this year. They did a good job with it including sizes that made sense. The medal is also vastly improved in my opinion.

The Jenks Half Marathon starts near the Jenks High School track, runs through the Jenks High School area, and then turns West to hit some of the rolling hills near Highway 75. On the way back to the Jenks High School track, the race loops around the North side of R.L. Jones, Jr. Airport. Runners then finish with a lap around the high school track.

With the start at Jenks High School, parking is nearby and plentiful. A lot of runners park in the baseball/track complex lot, but if you're going to finish under 2 hours, I would recommend parking to the South in the high school lot so you aren't working your way through other runners as you leave the area.

Real restrooms are available at the track, but if you're superstitious about your race day preparation or just need to clear out your sinuses, Tulsa Runner brings in a handful of porta-potties near the start line.

The one truly unique aspect of the Jenks Half Marathon is that the course is completely open to traffic. The police and volunteers do a great job of managing the intersection crossings for both runners and drivers, but you must pay attention. Cars will pass you at several points during the race, and they will sometimes get a bit close for comfort.

There is some elevation on the course, but it is mostly slow rolling hills. The majority are found from around mile 3 to mile 8. Except for a couple of levees and a small hill you see at the start, the last 5K is basically flat and fast.

If visions of placing overall or age group are dancing in your head, keep in mind that the Jenks Half Marathon draws a lot of fast runners. Many competitors are running to tune-up for Route 66, Dallas, and other end of year races where they may be running a full or half. The Jenks Half Marathon may be their weekend speed work. You'll likely have to break 1:20:00 by quite a bit to take the overall, and age group winners range from 1:20's to 1:30's for most age groups.

The race also offers a 5K that starts shortly after the half marathon. If you want to take home an age group award, this is a good race. I could have had 1st in my age group and threatened top 3 overall. Why did I run the half marathon again?