Nearly 1,600 runners completed The Other Half race along state Route 128 on Oct. 16.
Photo by Whit Richardson
Six of the top 10 finishers were age 40 or older, including winner Michael Kirk of Signal Mountain, Tenn., who broke the tape at 1:16:49. Masters record holder Bernie Boettcher, of Silt, Colo., took second place with a time of 1:19:03, a 6:02 per mile pace.
The top female finisher was Jasmine Sessions of Farmington, Utah, who crossed the finish line in 1:24:57, nearly four minutes before the next female runner.
Stormy weather predicted for race day held off, making for near-perfect running conditions. The sky was overcast during the race, then sunny at the finish, where race participants listened to live music, rehydrated on beverages provided by sponsors and snacked while recounting their experience to one another.
“Great weather, great aid stations, great run,” runner Julie Hughey wrote on the Moab Half Marathon Facebook page following the race.
A post-race awards ceremony and raffle rounded out the day, with prizes donated by a variety of sponsors.
“Volunteer and sponsor participation this year was incredible,” said race director Ranna Bieschke. “This event gets bigger every year and there’s no way it would happen without [their] support.”
The volunteer corps included members of Canyonlands Community Recycling, who worked with Daystar Adventist Academy volunteers to sort all trash generated at the event into recyclables, compost and trash. The effort included 70 gallons of compost, 50 cubic feet of plastic and 50 cubic feet of cardboard. Additionally, all 25,000 water and Gatorade cups handed out at the course’s six aid stations are compostable and will be delivered to a composting facility in Grand Junction by race staff.
“We’ve been working to reduce the environmental impact of our races over time,” said Bieschke. “Canyonlands Community Recycling has really helped us step up that effort.”
Canyonlands Community Recycling Director Rani Derasary said the event sets a great example for others in the community.
“We’re happy to be able to help and are excited about the example MHM is setting,” Derasary said. “Event organizers are welcome to contact us about increasing recycling and reuse of items that events generate.” Those inquiries can be made to Derasary at ccr@moabrecycles.org.
Bieschke said she and her staff are looking forward to the Moab Half Marathon’s third and final race of the year, the Winter Sun 10K, on Dec. 4. The race starts at the Moab Golf Course and ends at the high school – downhill nearly the entire way.
Registration is available through their website, www.moabhalfmarathon.org.