Running can be intimidating. To line up at that start line for the first time or for the first time in a long time is a daunting task. We often tell ourselves that we’re not in good enough shape, don’t have time to train, enjoy craft beer and donuts too much to maintain a runner’s diet; any excuse we can find to keep us from accomplishing that goal can provide enough doubt to hold us back.
Yet on the other hand, we have it on our “bucket list” to complete a half marathon. Oprah did it, so I can too! And yes, you can! Luckily the Louisville Sports Commission has the Fall Runathon, a series of three races this fall to help you overcome your excuses and check that half marathon off your list.
Louisville pure tap® 5K
The Fall Runathon starts off with an easy opening leg on September 10 at 8:45 am. Starting and finishing at the Louisville Water Tower on River Road, the Louisville pure tap® 5K is probably the flattest 3.1-mile course you can get in the city of Louisville. You head east out of the Water Tower, down River Road to Indiana Hills Trail, and back up River Road to the Water Tower. The race is not only walker friendly, but also dog friendly! It’s a perfect way to kick off a fall of running (or walking) and training. Visit puretap5k.com to find out more.
Norton Sports Health Great Pumpkin 10K
If you’ve yet to visit the Parklands of Floyds Fork, you’re missing out on one of the most beautiful areas of Louisville. Located just outside the city to the east, the Parklands are a picturesque setting for the second leg of the Fall Runathon. The Great Pumpkin 10K will take place at 9:00 am on October 1, three weeks after the pure tap® 5K. This 6.2-mile run/walk is a little more challenging with some hills added in to the course, but we reward you at the end with a unique spinning pumpkin finisher’s medal. And if you have children, bring them out for a Kids Fun Run around the Egg Lawn at Beckley Creek Park and pumpkin painting after they finish. It’s the perfect medium-distance race to help your buildup to the half marathon distance. Check out greatpumpkin10k.com to see the race route and learn more.
Urban Bourbon Half Marathon
Three weeks after the Great Pumpkin 10K, it’s finally half marathon time. The Urban Bourbon Half Marathon is Louisville’s premiere fall half marathon, showcasing 13.1 miles of the city and finishing with a bang—bourbon, that is! On October 22 at 8:30 am, the race will begin on Main Street in front of the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience and traverse through Nulu to Cherokee Park. Runners (or walkers—the race is open to all participants, no matter your speed) finish back downtown on Main Street where they started, where they’re rewarded with a unique hand-dipped bourbon bottle medal and entrance into the post-race Urban Bourbon Bash. At the Bourbon Bash, you’ll get to numb your pain with free samples of bourbon and Falls City beer, and eat back those calories you just burned off with Kentucky burgoo and Bearno’s pizza. What a way to celebrate! To learn more about Urban Bourbon, head over to the website—urbanbourbonhalf.com.
The Fall Runathon is the perfect motivator to train through the summer heat and accomplish your goals this fall. You can register for all three at fallrunathon.com to get 10% off, or use the code YPAL to get 10% off any individual race. Go ahead and sign up now. That way, you’ve already paid the money and the excuses can go out the window!
About the Series
The YPAL Get Healthy Blog Series, sponsored by Norton Healthcare, will focus on the health and well-being of our Louisville Young Professionals. This blog series will feature various young professional bloggers in our community sharing their stories on health, wellness, nutrition, fitness and healthy lifestyles. Want to write a Get Healthy Blog Post? Email Admin@YPAL.org for details!
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