Sedalia Half-marathon - March 26, 2005
Sedalia is located about 65 miles east of Lee's Summit (greater Kansas City area). Sedalia Half-marathon is part of the Grand Prix Racing Series sponsored by the Mid-America Running Association. I have never ran this race, but I can tell you that I will definitely be back. It is a small race of about 150 participants with a very gracious staff of race officials and volunteers.
It was about 37 degrees at the race start (9 a.m.). Overcast and a bit on the cool side, runners were debating how to dress. I opted for a sleeveless shirt and running shorts. Of course, I got the normal incredulous looks when I lined up shoeless and scantly clothed at the start line.
The first mile was chip seal (crushed gravel on a bed of tar), but after that it was clear sailing. Quite a bit of the asphalt was in very good shape as we meandered out into the country. At one point, a herd of horses was running in a fenced field beside us, obviously wanting to join in the fun!
I kept pretty close to a 7:30 pace for the whole 13.1 miles. I finished with 1:37:46 (7:28 pace) which tops my goal of 1:40 for this race. This is a new barefoot PR in the half-marathon distance! (My only other barefoot half-marathon was last June where I ran a 1:46:25.)
Here's a pic of me after the race, reclining outside in 38 degree weather. Tim Davis, reporter for the Sedalia Democrat was kind enough to snap a picture with my camera phone.
Lee's
Summit man runs barefoot at Sedalia race
by Tim Davis
The Sedalia Democrat (Print Copy)
or