Jennifer Clark Celebrates Half #300 at Fun-Filled Beat the Blerch Half!

Jennifer Clark (HF16743, DA3643, MM15623)– Half # 300 is in the books!!!
Saturday morning I ran Beat the Blerch Half in Carnation WA just outside of Seattle. Seattle/Black Diamond is where my oldest son and family live.
We had heard this was a fun race and our son had done it a year before. So, we signed up right away, especially after hearing from other running friends how cool it was!
Joining us were our family and there were a number of fellow running friends from the area plus some who came from afar!!
There was a lot of communication from the race organization in the weeks prior. Packet pickup was easy. Kim McCandless actually picked my packet up and she was able to get me a bib with the number 300 on it!
This event was created after an internet conic book series called Thr Oatmeal by Matthew Inman, a cartoonist. One of the characters is The Blerch, an anatomist in the series… hence Beat the Blerch! He (Matthew) was at the race as well as several people dressed up as a Blerch chasing or trying to get you to lie down on couches for a nap!
The race was well organized, especially when they had to change the course at the last minute due to construction. There were 3 Aid stations along the course. Since this was an out and back, it gave you six chances for hydration, energy gels, along with their famous Nutella sandwiches and cake, lots of cake!
Also at each Aid Station were couches where a Blerch would encourage you to stop and take a nap. You needed a nap because of all the cake you were eating. This is what makes this race unique and a lot of fun!
The course is a hard packed pathway that is a rail to trail course. The scenery along the course was pretty nice.
As you came to the finish, you had one last Blerch to chase you across the line. The After Party started with the BurritoNut stand! Here is where you got to have a burrito with a donut on top and a selection of toppings. The toppings were not your normal taco toppings. Your choices included gummy bears, bacon, marshmallows, potato chips and candy sprinkles! You could also top it off with ranch dressing or chocolate syrup.
The runners were treated to the normal food in the Barn such as bananas, chips, water, Gatorade, etc. They also had a great merchandise table!!
This was an exciting day and I’m glad I was able to do it with family and friends. I couldn’t have thought of a better way to celebrate half #300! I look forward to coming back again!!