Petersburg Half Marathon & 5K 2015 - The one with Amazing Medal !

Historical battlefield view

My experience - 3.5/5

It was the perfect timing to come out of hibernation. Winter has just moved out after long stay and it was time for inaugural Petersburg half marathon. Easy commute and easy on pocket too so both Neha and I signed up. It was Neha's first official 5K and for me it was first warm up before MTT. The route was a loop around city of Petersburg and passed through historical battlefield.

Battle reenactment

There were many familiar faces in the race. Ranjan signed up for half, Sukul was there to support his wife and many of my training team mates. The half marathon started first at 7 AM. Even though it was the inaugural race, due to good publicity the start line was crowded. The first 2 miles we passed an old neighborhood, a Korean karaoke bar and an adult 'superstore'. The route got better from the third mile as we entered historical battlefield area. For the next 4 miles, it was one of the best routes I ever ran. A single winding road going through the trees and big green fields. The green fields have old cannons and trenches preserved (or recreated) from the historical war. To top that, there were actors reenacting the battle scene, firing blank shots at each other. Many of us stopped or slowed down to watch the proceedings. I was enjoying the run with my slow 12 min pace. 

But the good part got over too soon. We were back on city roads by mile 7. There were some historical buildings but I couldn't notice anything unique from the road. After mile 8, the route took us through old neighborhood. Many of the houses were empty and almost unlivable with nature taking them over with grass, mold and vines. After great few miles in historical battlefield this part was a downer. 

The organizers saved the big twist for the end. It was just after mile 11 and the route was nearing the finish area. I saw runners turning from the opposite direction to the finish line. I could see the finish line, I could see team mates cheering. Probably the organizers found it funny to make runners pass the finish area for another 1.5 miles loop. There was another smaller battle reenactment going on in the sides, but I was not much interested now. I crossed the finish line at 2:36 where Neha and Ranjan were waiting for me. They had finished their runs long before me.  The medal was huge and most beautiful of all medals i have till now.

With our 5K and half medals

Overall, the first half of the race was really awesome, but the second half was not that great, and passing the finish line for another 1.5 miles was an absolute downer, but the medal was amazing. Would I do it again? Probably Yes. I would be more ready for the second half next time if organizers do not change the route and the first half and the huge medal are worth doing this one again.