Save the date: October 16, 2010
Ever wonder why we don’t announce the race date earlier?
The main reason is because we are able to use MTSU’s facilities for our Start and Finish areas. And although we don’t use the football field, we DO use the same parking lot where the Blue Raider fans park and tailgate. In order to provide ample parking for our athletes, we don’t schedule The Middle Half on the same day as an MTSU football game. The official football schedule isn’t announced until early Spring. And of course, there’s the track and soccer schedules to work around too!
Because of traffic issues, we also try to hold the race during MTSU’s Fall Break to eliminate students’ excuses for not being able to get to class. Usually there is no home football game during Fall Break, but not always (see last year).
This year we marked off the weekend of October 2 early when we learned that Middle Tennessee Medical Center was officially opening their new location. Why would that make a difference? As our presenting sponsor, they provide all of the medical care and equipment on race day, not to mention our Wellness Tent with post-race massages. Not only will every available ambulance be used to transport patients that weekend, but also our course runs right past the old hospital building … not the best day to do that!
Other considerations: Murfreesboro Parks & Rec events, other local race dates, other events in Murfreesboro, and the weather. OK, that last one is something we can’t plan on, but we DO aim for some time in October; the temperature is starting to get a little cooler, and October is the driest month of the year in Murfreesboro…. hope I didn’t just jinx it!
So we’re not procrastinators, we just want to make sure we’re picking the absolute best day for your race!
