Featured Running Event of the Week - Mother Road Half Marathon

The Mother Road Half Marathon takes place on America's Mother Road - Route 66.  This event is 1 of 3 events that occur simultaneously.

There is a 5k, which starts and ends in Joplin, MO - and runs a portion on Route 66.

There is the Half-Marathon, which starts in Baxter Springs, KS and ends in Jopin, MO - and runs at least 95% on the actual Route 66.  Two states for the price of one.

There is the Full Marathon, which starts in Commerce, OK, runs through Kansas, and ends in Jopin, MO, with at least 95% of the actual Route 66.  Three states for the price of one.

I ran the Half, so I really can only comment on the Half, but I'm sure most of what I say will apply to the other events.

The 5k is an out-and-back, and the Half and Full are Point-to-Point races.  The event picked up runners either at the finish line, or at 2 different hotel district areas, and transported them to the starting lines.  The buses then took people back to the hotel district stops after the race.  So, those staying in hotels, simply had to walk to one of 2 pickup locations to get to the start line.  Can't be simpler.  5k runners had to go to the actual start/finish line, as their event was a an out-and-back.

Once at the start-lines, there were sports therapists there to do any "tape work" that needed to be done for any runners.  In addition, there was a gear check, so runners could still bring all of their pre-race fuel or sweatshirts or whatever, right to the start, and then have it transported to the finish line for them.  This of course was very handy - as many runners bring tape and fuel and even outer layer clothes for the pre-race routine.

The Half started at Baxter Springs High School, which was unlocked for the runners.  This gave everybody access to indoor plumbing (which was good, because it was still dark outside pre-race).  In addition, there was plenty of seating in the gymnasium and in a lounge filled with comfy chairs.  Pre-race announcements were made in the gym where everybody could hear.  The weather was perfect, but had it been cold or wet, this would have been very much appreciated.  (It was appreciated anyhow, though).  The race started with the National Anthem followed by "The Runner's Prayer for the Knees", which is actually a serious prayer, thanking God for the day, for the fellowship and for the runners' health, including a humble request to look over the runners during the race and to give thanks for the volunteers and police officers working the event.

The Half headed north from there, and from this point on, the half and the full shared the exact same route.  The route primarily followed KS 66, which a slight variation to get around a high traffic area.  The entire race took place on the streets, no paths, no trails.  The Kansas route when from Baxter Springs through Riverton and then through Galena.  In Galena the course when directly through the old downtown and even on the less traveled "Old Route 66" to exit the town.  While in the town, there was even a keyboard soloist, which inspired all of the runners.

The course then rejoined the main Route 66 to cross the state line and finish at the Athletic Center in Joplin.  Parts of the course consisted on fully closed roads, while parts had the runners running against traffic on the shoulder, with the right lane blocked off.  This allowed cars to cheer as they drove by - and they did - some even ringing cowbells.

The scenery of Old Route 66, plus some general open fields, and an excellent sunrise made for an enjoyable race for all participants.  Along the way, from start to finish, spectators were cheering from the side of the street, from their porches, and from their cars.  The community definitely got into this event in a very positive way.

As for technical aspects of the race, there were hydration stations approximately every 1.5 miles (give or take based on terrain) - and port-a-potties probably every 2 miles (as an estimate).  There were PLENTY of volunteers at the aid stations.  There were also a few stations which also were staffed with medical personnel, and I recall seeing a medical vehicle driving along down one of the main routes with its hazard lights on looking across the field of runners.  Each and every intersection was well staffed with Police Officers and Community Services Officers, and there was never a concern related to safety in regards to vehicles.  The race was chip start/chip finish.  In addition, pacers were set up by finish time (so instead of trying to figure out a minute/mile pace, the runner just had to find the target finish time).  The pacer I hooked up with for some of the race was energetic, friendly, talkative, and motivational - everything one could ask for in a pacer - and, of course, was on pace.

A most excellent return of the event, which had been dormant for a few years.  Here's to more successful years ahead!