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This low-key event is sponsored by the Virginia Happy Trails Running Club to encourage women to participate in trail running. Many of the organized trail races held in the area each year involve much longer distances, so this is an opportunity to learn if this form of running appeals to you. Trail running is slower than running on pavement or asphalt, but it engages so many more of your senses. So plan to kick back, enjoy the scenery, watch your footing, stay on the course, and remember...
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.
- Helen Keller
Time and Place:
Race starts at 8:30 am on Saturday, September 10, 2011, at Fountainhead Regional Park in Fairfax County, Virginia. Fountainhead Regional Park skirts the shore of the Occoquan Reservoir and is the southernmost trail head for the Bull Run-Occoquan Trail. Directions to Start
2011 Women's Half Marathon
Eliza O'Connell, Ragan Petrie, RD Kate Abbott, and Marth Nelson
Photo: Aaron Schwartzbard
Martha Nelson won a tight battle with Ragan Petrie and Eliza O'Connell to take her second Women's Half Marathon win. There were 194 finishers.
Cut-off Time:
The course will close at 12:30 p.m. To ensure that runners will finish by then, we will have an intermediate cut-off time of 10:45 a.m. at the Fountainhead aid station. If you arrive after this time, you will not be allowed to continue as an official entrant.
Course:
Forested, rolling terrain through the woods, primarily single-track dirt trail. Storms immediately preceding the event will affect stream crossings and some sections of the trail. We will use the same course as has been used in the last few years. Course Description and Map
Medical Issues:
This is an event with risks. You are responsible for your own safety. We do not provide any medical care during the run. No doctors, nurses, or emergency medical technicians are available along the course, at any aid station, or at the finish. In case of an emergency, we will endeavor to get local emergency personnel to an injured runner as soon as possible. Each year, runners finish, or drop out, with scrapes or sprains. Among injuries that have occurred at past events are cuts, bruises, bee stings, and asthma attacks. Please be careful! Be prepared! Most of all - Be Safe! You will be required to sign a liability release form at packet pick-up.
On the trail
Practice Runs:
We will have practice runs on August 7 and 20. The practice runs begin from the race start location, the parking lot at Fountainhead, at 8:30 a.m. All interested runners, whether or not they are entered in the race and including men, are invited. It is possible to run varying distances: 6, 8, 10, 13 miles or longer. The practice run is very informal, and the pace is relaxed. If you are interested in doing the practice run, or you are interested in volunteering to lead a group on the run, contact the race director. Light refreshments will be served. More information
Registration:
Registration will open on June 24. Our registration is a two step process. You sign up between June 24 and June 30. You then come back between July 7 and 13 to pay. If too many people sign up, we will determine who may pay by means of a lottery.
Registration is not transferable. No changes to the entrants list will be permitted after September 1, and there is no race day registration. We may require identification at registration if there are any questions about identity or age. For questions about registration, contact Lucia Davidson.
On the trail
Packet Pickup:
The packet pick-up will be at the race site from 7:15 a.m. until 8:15 a.m. on Saturday, September 10. Each registered runner will be required to sign for her race packet and may be required to verify identity or age with indentification. Packet pick-up closes at 8:15. No one will be allowed to run if she is late.
Race Premium:
Each participant will receive a quality race premium to be identified soon.
Awards and Prizes:
Awards will be given to the top three finishers and the first VHTRC member to finish. Additional award categories include: under 20, over 60, and 5-year age groups in between. The top three mother/daughter teams will also receive awards. Finishers must be present to receive their awards.
Mother/Daughter Team Competition:
We are recognizing the mother/daughter runners again this year with a special "team" competition. This is a chance to convince your mother or your daughter to run the race. Combined times will be used to calculate the winners. For example, if one member of the team finishes in 2:30 and the other in 3:30, the two times will be added together for a combined time of 6 hours. The team with the lowest combined time will receive first place. You can run together or separately. Each mother/daughter team member must indicate the other member of her team on her race application. You can't form a team on race day.
The finish
For More Information:
Contact the race director. For questions related to registration and the registration process, contact Lucia Davidson.
Race Results:
Results will be posted on this Web site following the race. (2010 Report, results, and photos.)
Directions to Fountainhead Regional Park:
For directions to Fountainhead Regional Park where the start and finish of the event is, go here. We encourage and recommend carpooling.
A happy start!
Photo: Keith Knipling
PHOTO CREDITS: All photos on this page were taken by Aaron Schwartzbard unless otherwise noted.