My race registration fees were waved in exchange for live social media coverage of the event. My opinion and all photos are my own.
What a gorgeous day in May! It was the first 100% no long sleeve shirt over my running dress racing day of 2014!
The Navigant CU Blackstone Valley Half Marathon and 5k started and finished in Pawtucket, RI. They were put on by the Run Rhody race team. They put on well supported local races that don't brake the bank!
My day started in perfect fashion. I was able to sleep in my own bed, wake up and 2 hours later cross the start line!
I was helping the race director with social media live posting from the race course. I love capturing the runners perspective and sharing the course while having fun on the run!
The course is up and back along the Blackstone River Valley! The race makes use of the Blackstone Valley Visitors Center. Having access to an amazing indoor facility with restrooms is such a plus!
This year they set up the post race festivities in the lower parking lot allowing more folks to park close to the race in the upper lot. I loved being able to park in the middle of the action! It was like having my own charging/refueling station!
The Navigant Blackstone Valley Half Marathon kicked off at 8 am! It was around 55 degrees, which is quite comfortable for the start of a half.
We started by heading into town past Slater's Mill, before circling around and heading up the valley.
These two earn points for fun on the run!
Switchbacks are always fun! This one was right before mile 3. This is where we left the city and headed out onto the Bikeway.
Caution bikers hills ahead!
Rhode Island has many amazing bike paths! The Blackstone Valley Bikeway is absolutely worth a run/ride.
The police and emergency responders did a stellar job today. Thank you for your service and for making our day run-tastic!
This course is sprinkled with history...including the Lonsdale Drive-in sign.
Back onto the Blackstone River Bikeway!
After zigging and zagging through a neighborhood we emerged up above the valley.
The volunteers along the course did an amazing job! No one was left wanting with 11 aid stations.
The bridges across the valley are each unique. This one is definitely the tallest! The turnaround is just beyond the bridge.
Mile 7 and we had turned toward the finish line. You could not help but feel lucky to be running along this amazing valley!
The river was to our left and the canal was on our right.
The Bikeway crossed the river in dramatic fashion! The river was running and so were we!
I finally got another runner to be in my mile marker picture rather than just taking the pick as they ran past the marker.
Tunnel to the final mile! So glad they had the road closed! This is a tight squeeze for traffic I bet!
The finish line stretch! Please may I have a medal?
Isn't it pretty! Made in USA with a Boston Strong colored ribbon.
After the half was finished I had 40 min to rest and recover as best I could before heading back out to run the 5k!
National Anthem number 2! There were a few folks doing the un-official half/5k challenge, but most folks were fresh and ready to race.
The weather definitely changed between the half and the 5k. The wind came up and the temp dropped a bit. This pic looks a little more omenous than it really was, but this is so New England!
The flowering trees were out on the 5k course! So beautiful! We ran out and back on this road, 2x the trees!
Luke ran the half and then suited up in his Hartford Firefighters gear for the 5k. Not sure how he managed with the wind, but he got the job done!
After 16.3 miles my battery was low in more than one way. What a race day! Maybe next year the un-official half/5k challenge will become an official challenge!
The Central Falls track team greated each half runner with water, medals and smiles at the finish line! Thanks to all the volunteers who made the day incredible!
