Well, since at 5+ months pregnant I didn't feel ready to run this race, Baby K and I got up bright and early this beautiful fall morning and headed to Hershey. Today was the inaugural Hershey 1/2 Marathon in Hershey, PA.
It was a cool, breezy, sunny morning that got windy occasionally, especially at the finish line. It ended up selling out pretty early with between 2,500 - 3,000 runners (from what I've heard). I think HERCO (Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Co.) did a good job with their first 1/2 marathon and I think overall the runners really enjoyed the race.
There were lots of great views on this race. The course went around and through HersheyPark, and by the following...
- Milton Hershey School's Catherine Hall
- The Giant Center
- Hershey's Chocolate World
- Down Chocolate Avenue under the Kiss Lights
- The Reese's plant on 422
- The Hershey Lodge
- The Hershey Medical Center
- Scenic Milton Hershey School property
- Hershey Country Club
- High Point Mansion, Milton Hershey's house
- The original Hershey's Chocolate Factory
- And so much more, finishing up with a run around the inside of the Hershey Stadium
It was great to see friends finish this race. One friend I grew up with in high school finished in 1:31. Very impressive! He's training for the Philadelphia Marathon in November. Another friend Tanya, who just returned from a missions trip to Africa finished in just under 2 hours.
My friends Amy & Jen, who also happen to be twins , and Amy's husband Brad finished well too. It was the 2nd 1/2 marathon for the 3 of them. I am super proud of them. Way to go guys! 
One other friend finished her 1st 1/2 today. Yay Jenny!
The medals were pretty light in weight and were adorned by a chocolate colored ribbon. The front sported a Hershey's kiss and the back reminded racers that they were a part of history running in Hershey's 1st ever 1/2 marathon.
I'm really glad I was able to be there even though I didn't run.
Finally, something funny I saw as I was leaving and thought I needed to take a picture of...
The "Welcome to Hershey" on the hill just off Hershey Park drive in front of Catherine Hall was an interesting backdrop for all the porta-pottys at the starting line. Almost like they said "Welcome to Hershey, yes, in case you're wondering we have plenty of porta-pottys".
