The Azle Lake Run is approaching a new level of professionalism with the addition of Terry Fowler as Course Director.  Terry was a 'victim' of last year's half-marathon.  We are now armed with a device called a Jones counter that fits on a bicycle wheel.  After calibration on a 1000 ft. flat course measured with a steel tape, we will measure the course precisely.  Those of you who have run the Lake Run before will recognize the 10K we've always done.  The 5K will be out and back on the same course hence the 10 minute later start time. 

The half marathon will go down ash to an 'out & back' on Park st. & go back to the Jr High - then back to Ash.  Then we will find our way back to the baseball field.  We will start and finish at the baseball field.  Live music and packet pick up will also be at the baseball field.  

In summation, the race will be ten times more professional, ten times the volunteers, have abundant water tables and be at least twice the party!

      
                                                                               -Jack

On Friday we finished our adjustments to the Half Marathon course. I ran the course early Saturday morning- it's a great course, but I'll be feeling your pain on race day! This was my last long run before the No Limits half marathon this week. I always feel faster on a flat course after surviving the Lake Run. :)

When I put the 10k on MapMyRun.com it read 6.34 miles. I think this is because, while Map My Run follows traffic lines, we did not when we measured the course with the Jones Counter; we followed the exact lines that the runners will follow on race day. However- I am going to remeasure the course on miles 3 and 4 just to be sure, as this is where we noticed the deviation. We are committed to having an accurate, professional course this year! 

The 10k mile markers are painted in white and we are in the process of marking the Half Marathon markers in yellow. The turn-around points for the 5k and Half Marathon are approximate on Map My Run. The mile markers and turn-around points on the actual course have been measured precisely with the Jones Counter. 

Also- we will have dry-fit shirts in the runner's packets for the Half Marathon this year. Finishers of the Half Marathon will be awarded their choice of a medal or a t-shirt. 


                                                  -Jack