THE RUN: 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. So plan to kick back, enjoy the scenery, watch your footing, stay on the course, and remember...
--Eleanor Roosevelt, U.S. diplomat & reformer (1884 - 1962)
TIME & PLACE: 8:30 A.M. Start on Saturday, September 13, 2008, at Fountainhead Regional Park, Fairfax County, Virginia. Course will close at 12:30 P.M. There will be at least one point on the course with a cutoff time.
2007 WHM Winner Kristin Eddy
COURSE: Forested, rolling terrain. 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
CUT-OFF TIME: To ensure that runners will be finished by 12:30 P.M., 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.
REGISTRATION: Registration will open on June 26 and close at 8 P.M. on June 30. A field of 240 women will be selected by lot from those who register during that period. Those who are not selected may go on the waiting list. Those who are selected must pay on line. Registration is not transferable, but we will issue refunds, less $5, to those who withdraw by August 25. You may join the waiting list after the registration period, but there is no race day registration. (See note about shirt sizing for later entrants below.) For questions about registration, contact Lucia Davidson
Registration will take place on this Web site during the period June 26 - 30.
Race Director Mary Campbell
Photo: Aaron Schwartzbard
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 13. Each registered runner will be required to sign for her race packet.
MEDICAL ISSUES: 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. Some runners finish, or drop out, with bruises or scrapes. This is an event with risks.
RACE PREMIUM: Each race participant will receive a quality technical clothing item. Further sizing information will be available during the registration process. We will endeavor to give all entrants correct shirt sizing, but cannot guarantee it for those who join the entrants list after August 9.
AWARDS AND PRIZES: Awards to the top three finishers. Additional prizes for under 20, over 60, and 5-year age groups in between and the top three mother/daughter teams. Additional award to the first VHTRC finisher. Finishers must be present to receive awards or prizes.
Margie Schlundt, former RD. There have been four WHM RDs -- Renee Butler, Jeanne Christie, Margie, and Mary Campbell.
Photo: Aaron Schwartzbard
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. No race day registration for this category (we need to do some advance planning on this).
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Without our wonderful volunteers each year, we wouldn't have a race. We need people to "man" aid stations, mark trail, help with registration, work the finish line, transport water, organize the awards, and of course, continue the time-honored tradition of singing a rousing rendition of the club's theme song "Happy Trails" at the race start. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the race director. We need approximately 30 confirmed volunteers. The majority of the action takes place on race day.
Anne Mathias (left) and Darcy Gruttadaro enjoying the 2007 Women's Half Marathon
PRACTICE RUNS!!! Practice runs will be held on the course on Saturday, August 9 and August 23. The runs start 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, are invited. It is possible to run varying distances: 6, 8, 10, 13 miles or longer. The practice runs are very informal and the pace is relaxed. If you are interested in doing a practice run or you are interested in volunteering to lead a group on one of the runs contact the race director. Light refreshments will be served.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact the race director, Mary Campbell, for further information. 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. (For 2007 Results, Report, and Photos, go to the 2007 Report Page.)
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.
Women's Half Marathon Information Center
- Information:
- Prior Reports and Results
- 2007 Results, Report, and Photos
- 2006 Results, Report, and Photos
- 2005 Results, Report, and Photos
- 2004 Results, Report, and Photos
- 2003 Results, Report, and Photos
- 2002 Results, Report, and Photos
- Male Cheerleading Squad 2002
- 2001 Results, Report, and Photos
- 2000 Results, Report, and Photos
- 1999 Report, Pictures, and Results
- 1998 Results
Womens Half Marathon Flag
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