There is a lot of history in San Antonio with the Alamo taking place in 1836, and the city celebrating it's tricentennial. Jen and I had visited New Orleans for their tricentennial in March, so it seemed fitting to complete the 2018 race season with another milestone. San Antonio is an under-rated Texan city. They have a strong Mexican influence (best tacos I ever had!) and certainly take their Christmas festivities to a whole new level. Jen and I learned that San Antonio starts in Septermber to put out Christmas lights along the urban riverfront known as The River Walk (El Paseo del Rio). During this time of the season the 35 minute boat tours are popular must dos and they extend tours to during the night as well to see all the christmas lights. Jen and I got a sweet look of the city's skyline from a different perspective both on the road and in the canal which was very neat to see.
With Jen, hours pass by quickly at the expo. I thought that 1 hour would be plenty to pick up our bibs and check out a few vendors. Wrong. Jen needed almost 3 hours! As I was running back to the car to add more time to the parking meter, Jen met Meb and Desi Linden and got selfies with both. When I finally returned, there was an announcement that Kathrine Switzer was doing a meet and greet at one of the booths (they were both handing out medals at the 5K/10K races Sat, and Meb paced the 1:45 group in the half). Jen excitingly ran over to get a picture with one of her idols. We learned that Kathrine and her husband, Roger, enjoy traveling to Vancouver. Kathrine introduced us to Roger, who signed a copy of his book for the two of us and Jen's coach.
We also learned that San Antonio knows how to put on a marathon! We start on Market Street, which is smack centre in downtown near The River Walk. The route meanders in a clockwise direction reaching the furthest north point at Brackenridge Park near the Zoo. San Antonio is known as a military base so we ran through the blue mile in Brackenridge park.
We also learned that San Antonio knows how to put on a marathon! We start on Market Street, which is smack centre in downtown near The River Walk. The route meanders in a clockwise direction reaching the furthest north point at Brackenridge Park near the Zoo. San Antonio is known as a military base so we ran through the blue mile in Brackenridge park.
Side note: conveniently Jen and I stayed close to this neighbourhood and we weren't that far from the airport as well - very little driving distance required.
The route continues down south on Broadway Street.
This photo of San Antonio is courtesy of TripAdvisor. But it gives you an idea of what the on-course entertainment was like.
Underneath the highway and along the river front you could see entertaining musicians and Fiesta Dancers sprinkled along the route to cheer runners on.
Eventually at the half and full turnoff point, us marathoners continued further south and along the River Walk where the path are wider than its downtown core counterpart.
It was a gentle slope down mid way and then a gentle up slope. The path we ran in the second half crisp crosses each other with scenic little bridges designed for pedestrians and cyclists. This reminds me of the bike-highway system known in Boulder, which gives indication why people are so drawn to live in both those areas.
We finished on Alamo Street which was nice as both start finish were next to the race expo at the convention centre.
Finished in 3:09 with a 10 minute positive split. It was a struggle to the finish, luckily only a few runners passed me in the last few km struggle on false flats to the finish.
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