2008 America's Finest City Half Marathon - Race Recap

Date: August 17, 2008
Location: Balboa Park, San Diego
Start: 7:00am
Finish: 1:57:01







Elevation:

Recap written on 6/27/2011: The bad news...I am back-posting this race just to have some record of it but I ran this race back in 2008 so my memory of all the details are sketchy at best. This race also predated when I started really blogging so there aren't too many photos either. The good news is that I am revisiting this race again this year so I will be sure to document my experience better. 

So this is what I remember based on some photos I found and some data I've kept around. America's Finest Half starts out in Historic Cabrillo National Monument (a U.S. National Park Reserve) and ends at Balboa Park. I remember that we had to be bussed to the starting line because there was no parking there. 

I remember that once we arrived at the starting area that it was pretty cold and windy up there so be sure to bring something to keep you warm. Once you get started, you will warm up and it can get pretty hot in August. The first couple of miles are down hill. Then it is flat until almost the end when you are met with a little hill from mile 11.5 to 12.5. It doesn't look that bad on the chart but with tired legs, you will feel it. Looking back I use to think that little hill was such a bear but having ran much bigger and badder hills, it doesn't seem so bad now. If everything goes as planned, I am looking to beat my course PR of 1:57:01 this year and feel that it is not an impossible goal.

This was the only photo I could find of me actually running this race. I don't remember much of the course but the part I do remember was running into Balboa Park at the end.

Medal!

The host hotel which was the site of the race expo was the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina which is located in the half point from the start and the finish but I ended up staying at a boutique hotel near the starting line called the Balboa Park Inn.

Photo credit to Sister K

They offer themed rooms of various sizes but the place is old. Everything was clean and they do offer complimentary continental breakfast.

Photo credit to Sister K

You have to call them when you wake and they will bring a tray of something that looks like this.

Photo credit to Sister K

Completing the Triple Crown Series was the only reason that I even knew about this race back then. I signed up for this series with Sister J (of A Case of the Runs) and you can read about her recap here.