Runners Eagerly Await the Grand Canyon Half Marathon
There are many exciting ways to discover the Grand Canyon. One such way is to run a marathon. Even though there are still nine months left till the start of the Grand Canyon Half Marathon on May 17, 2014, many runners are already eagerly awaiting the September 1, 2013 online registration.
We can’t blame them since the course is beautiful and runs through the Kaibab National Forest just 5 minutes south of the park entrance to the South Rim.
Date: May 17, 2013 starting at 7 a.m.
Registration: September 1, 2013 at 8 a.m. mountain time
Important: There is a 1200 person cap on the race, and it is expected to sell out quickly.
Cost:
Early-bird Fee: $80 per individual ($70 on a team) – Ends November 27th
Regular Fee: $100 per individual ($90 on a team) – Ends March 16th
Late Fee: $125 per individual ($115 on a team) – Ends May 16th
Military Discount: $65 entry into the race. Please use discount code MILITARY upon check out to receive the discount. This is limited to anyone with a military ID or DD214.
The Course: The course begins at the new parking lot at North end of Tusayan, AZ right outside the South Rim Grand Canyon. Registration area is outside the Grand Canyon Visitor Center at the South Rim. The same location will also serve as the finish line. The Visitor Center is planning to give each runner a free ticket to the IMAX film, Grand Canyon: The Movie. All they have to do is show their race number. Friends and family will receive a discounted ticket.
The course is as close to the Grand Canyon as the Park Service will allow. While there are no views of the Grand Canyon from the course, it is a gorgeous run through the Kiabab National Forest. After the race, you can enjoy the park with your friends and family.
Accommodations: The city of Tusayan offers many hotels and restaurants, all within walking distance of the start line. Another option is to stay at the Grand Canyon hotel inside the park. There are also some formal campgrounds in Tusayan or inside the Grand Canyon. The course actually runs through places you could camp. We suggest you reserve early. Most of these places will fill up quickly.
Cup-Free Race: Due to the races’ close proximity to the Grand Canyon National Park, the event organizers are strongly against unnecessary waste and trash. Their goal is to maintain a clean race and preserve the beauty of the area to run in. Seeing trash in such a breathtaking surrounding can ruin the runner’s experience.
That being said, one of the most important things in a half marathon is ensuring that aid stations are plentiful, since hydration is the key to a successful race.
For this race hydra pouches will be included in each racer bag. Participants are also welcome to bring their own system that works for them. Water stations will be set up about every other mile starting at mile 3 and will be self serve.
Will you be running? If so, how do you prepare to run 13.1 miles?
