My ex-Boston Marathon 2010

It will be impossible to even start talking about Havasu Half-marathon without giving some facts about the Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
Lake Havasu is man-made lake, formed after Powell dam was placed on Colorado river. During 60s, something interesting was happening in newly discovered Arizona. Investors, started building not only malls, or sections but entire cities. Sun City, Surprise, Fountains Hills, and Lake Havasu City. City that was made in 1960s, just by vision of one person. So it has no history, no old attractions, no generations, or families. Just 50,000 souls who calls it home. Well, actually, it has one very old attraction. London Bridge. Yes, over 200 year old London bridge, that was disassembled in London, England and moved here, to bring life in the new city.

It is confusing that city who is known for spring break fun, there is no more then few hotels. One of them, official half marathon hotel, featured Expo. It was not truly an expo just bib pick up place. Ok, it worked. I didn’t expect to find Adidas booth, next to GU, like in big races, but i was hoping for some more local flair.

Saturday morning, 7:30 was official start of the race. On the beach, on man-made island, right across the named London Bridge. It was fun start, and soon we left into beautiful Arizonian morning, little hot, little windy. Course took us around the island, mainly undeveloped, passed few RV parks. Then we passed over, can you guess, London Bridge, and continued straight to turning point and back. Even advertised as flat and fast, it is not flat, entire course is bit hilly, up and down.

At turn point i experienced something that for race, 3rd year running is shocking. I was in the middle of the pack when approached water station, ahead of 2:15 pacer. But water station was out of water cups. Volunteers were pouring water from gallon jugs into runners mouths. I i am not sure did it look like communion in church or like bunch of chicks happily awaiting mother-bird to feed them. But it was unique.

After all race was ok. I am confused about the course. Surrounding area is simply beautiful, from approaching Lake Havasu City driving north from Powell, AZ, or continuing on SR-95 toward I-40. Why did course take us around less then impressive motel 6, and few bait stores, i don’t know. Maybe something that can be easily solved next year.
Leaving Lake Havasu City late sunday, i couldn’t help but wonder. Seems like everything in this city is unfinished. It has great potential, amazing ideas, but it all seems stopped in its tracks. But i will come next year, just to see can the utilize local potential better.