This weekend, I participated in the Garmin Kansas City Marathon after months of anticipation. Arriving from Columbus, I spent Friday exploring local attractions, including the American Jazz Museum. On race day, cold temperatures and challenging hills influenced my decision to skip the full marathon, feeling unprepared due to recent health issues. Despite this, I enjoyed reconnecting with running friends. My return flight faced significant delays, but Southwest kindly changed my itinerary, allowing me to arrive home five hours early. This marks my 33rd half marathon, with Missouri being my thirteenth state.
Tag Archives: Hilly Half Marathon
Charm City Finish: A 50-State Finale in Baltimore
Tonisia Billups recently completed her 50th half marathon in 50 states at the Baltimore Run Fest Half Marathon on October 17. Traveling from Jacksonville to Baltimore via Southwest Airlines, she stayed at an Airbnb and Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace, conveniently located near the start/finish line. Although the race started early at 9:30 AM, she had ample time to relax before running. Billups described the hilly course, emphasizing the constant uphill terrain. Achieving this milestone with friends, she finished the race in 2:43, celebrating her accomplishment.
Sunrise Over the Smoke: Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon
Katie Galvin shared her recent experience at the Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon after a 13-hour drive with her dog to the Townsend/Great Smoky KOA, which she highly recommends. She attended the race expo and an evening 5k despite the hot and humid weather. On race day, they enjoyed a beautiful sunrise and the sounds of nature before competing in a challenging yet scenic half marathon. Katie completed the Black Bear Challenge and celebrated visiting her 31st state.
Bad Bass Half Marathon Recap: “Probably Killed a Few Toenails”
Lynne Kilirnr recently completed the Bad Bass half marathon, a challenging course featuring steep hills. To meet two crucial checkpoints, she started early, taking her time to enjoy the scenery despite suffering from sore knees and some toenail damage. Prior to the race, she had been helping her mother recover from a fall, which contributed to her own back pain. Ultimately, she enjoyed running alongside her friend Chau Smith and participating in the event after volunteering to help set up.
Fueled by Fine Wine Half: Vines, Views & 2,100 Feet
Gregg LeBlanc celebrated his 12th participation in the Fueled By Fine Wine Half Marathon on July 12, 2026, having first run it in 2012. While he appreciates the race’s beautiful vineyard scenery, he admits a dislike for trail running due to its rugged terrain, which features over 2,100 feet of elevation gain. Despite the challenges, he enjoyed sipping rosé at the fueling stations and reconnecting with fellow runners throughout the event, capturing the essence of this love-hate relationship with the race.
Nothing Flat About This One! RiverRoad Half Marathon
Tonisia Billups discusses her experience at the Hatfield & McCoy Half Marathon in West Virginia. Traveling from Jacksonville to Matewan, she notes logistical challenges, especially with limited hotel options near the race. Despite the heat, humidity, and hilly terrain, she enjoyed the race, choosing the RiverRoad Half, which was unexpectedly tough. The race offers fruit at fuel stations, which helped her during hotter moments. While there was minimal spectator support, she recommended the race with caution and appreciated the message at Pikeville University before her return.
From Antarctica to Boston: My Miraculous, Painful 5th Boston Marathon
Lynne Kilirnr completed the Boston Marathon on April 20, 2026, marking her fifth marathon finish despite facing numerous challenges. After an underprepared Antarctica marathon due to a knee injury, she managed a miraculous finish at Boston, meeting the strict cutoff time. However, training setbacks continued with a hilly half marathon that exacerbated her knee issues. Despite significant pain during the race, Lynne persevered with the support of a friend, ultimately finishing before the deadline. She is now looking forward to the Cape Town marathon.
Dollywood Butterfly Challenge Review – Great Concept, Execution Needs Work
Nicole Charlton-Nauroth reviews the first Dollywood Butterfly Challenge: a hilly 5K, 10K and half marathon with a great concept but room to improve.
Combos Half Marathon Race Recap Albany, GA (March 2026)
Tahira Bland shared her experience at the Combos Half Marathon in Albany, Georgia, on March 7, 2026, marking her 77th lifetime half marathon. She noted the race’s challenging hot and hilly conditions but successfully completed it. This event was her sixth half marathon in Georgia and part of a trio of consecutive weekends dedicated to the distance. Participants enjoyed ample aid stations, enthusiastic crowd support, and a festive finish area with various snacks. Tahira looks forward to her next race, the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon.