Alpharetta Women's Half Marathon 2021 - Race Recap

Training in Georgia climate & routes was great and made me ambitious about a race. Even overcome the cloud of pandemic fear and check out events around here. And much to my glad surprise, I found an upcoming race in my town. What better way to see my town by foot - but a supported run ? So I signed up for  Alpharetta Women's Half Marathon & 5K and landed here on the morning of 24-Oct-2021 Sunday at 6:15 am.

Early start at Avalon Mall, which is an open outdoor mall. Parking was in the usual mall places. It was still dark and could see the moon till it was bright after 8am. Being outdoor mall, there was perfect spacing among cliques of run-buddies. Once we squished together for the start time, out came numerous masks (including mine). Half a mile later, when the crowds thinned, it was easier to take the mask off. And no, mask did not hamper my half-mile performance in a race.

I signed up in September and usually an Oct-end race means tight clothing to match the almost 20F morning temps. That what I was dreading but was cautiously optimistic. Come race day, I dressed up like a usual summer morning run. Nothing to plan at all. Temps were between 50F to 70F. Unbelievable. 

The initial 6 mile route went around city roads, from Avalon mall to Northpoint mall. As promised, loads of inclines and then declines. Thankfully it was not as bad as it reads. 

At one point, we turned down to enter the Alpharetta Greenway. This decline was so steep, someone had actually chalked "Wheee" and the runners before me yelled the same :)

Kudos to those who wrote funny & motivational quotes throughout, I mean throughout, the 5-6 miles of Greenway. 

Last 2 miles were killers. The latch after Greenway exit, upwards till Web Road, then on Web Road with a left turn upwards to Avalon mall. Ahh such inclines in the last patch - such torture.

My watch said I finished at 3:10 hours. Official race results says 3 more minutes. The route had 0.20 miles more than the watch. Either way, I did not meet the goal of sub-3. But I guess I have to accept it now. Good thing the race had a 4 hour cut-off. It was not lonely at the finish line. There were 75 more finishers after me. Which means the finish line food & timer stayed for me - them being dismantled is my worst anxiety. 

Thanks to the Water support volunteers for the frequent water & Gatorade (watermelon flavor). Guides at almost every turn. The MC announcer with powerful voice. Starting point warm-up. Perfect parking spots. Spacious spread-out waiting areas.

 

I missed my Minnesota run buddies, familiar faces & places and crowds. Yet so lovely to get back to the actual race atmosphere. This is what makes us do things, we do not think we can do.