Marion was my second race for the weekend of June 13-14 (Marathon to Marathon Half). I almost missed the packet pick up but got to it as they were closing down. It appeared to be a larger expo and they were collecting donations of all types of shoes. Packet was available for pick up race day but for a cost of $5? There were paces up to time of 3 hours. My goal was to finish because of the half marathon the day before. The first half of the race was through the Iowa country side. The second half was through housing and city. I was able to walk the majority of it. The finish was at a football stadium. The medal was larger than the previous marathon. Parking was available close to the start/finish.

HF#11033

Race packet was at the nearby HyVee - a grocery store. Simple packet pick up, with some local flyers and even a $5 card to a game place in Fort Dodge. We received a drifit shirt and our bib. I also received a complimentary water bottle from the nutritionist because they randomly selected packets to get one. Packet pick up was also available on race day. The start and finish were at different locations (and not close to each other) so I had someone drop me off and pick me up.

The race started at 9AM on the edge of town, at the aquatics park. The local fire department raised their ladder, and hung the American flag, and we ran past that on the way north and west towards the finish. The beginning mile or two, we crossed two streets, but there was police escort. It is listed as an open course and to use caution. After that we went through a small subdivision and on to a flat trail/path by the river. We stayed near the river for several miles. It was very pretty view and nice day. There was one particularly hilly section, with one huge hill after a water station - i couldn't even guess the grade, but it was steep! We continued north and went near a rather busy park that they were playing soccer in, and then around a farm field just outside of town, to finish in the Kennedy park.

The website listed the race time limit at being 3.5 hours, and that you had to finish under the 3 hours to get a medal. I finished at 3:13, but did receive the medal. It was a friendly, small town race with only 84 half marathoners. Very supportive. The last couple water stations were not manned, but water and other items left out and available for the back of the packers. The medal showed the JDRF (diabetic) shoe emblem, and said HyVee Half. The ribbon said the year. Small race and the extra funds went to support the JDRF.

HF#11033