We were simply amazed at how quickly people signed up for this year’s race! In the first 5 days of registration, close to 1,500 people took advantage of the special pricing.

Many have asked about raising our cap to allow more runners into the race. Our mission at The Murfreesboro Half Marathon is to provide the best race we possibly can, not necessarily the largest. There is a concerted effort to maintain the quality of event that you expect year after year. By reaching our cap early, we are able to plan the event better. This allows us to appropriately allocate all of the needed resources needed to produce a great race day – including, but not limited to medals, bibs, shirts, food, and parking. Careful budgeting has allowed us to keep the price relatively low, a feature we know all runners appreciate!

Last fall, our board of directors determined our participation limit for 2011. Many factors are considered each year including logistics, in-kind sponsor availability and participant responses from the most recent event. The past 6 months of planning, paperwork, approvals, etc., has been based on 2,500 runners. We like growing, but at a manageable pace. (You runners know all about pacing!). After the race this year, we will determine the cap for next year’s race.

There are still a few options available for those who are not registered. Some of our sponsors may be holding drawings or contests to give away their spots. We will post these availabilities on Facebook as we are notified. Also, Fleet Feet Sports Murfreesboro has a very limited number of spots available in their half marathon training program.

Again, we are thrilled with the response during the registration process. Now, back to planning an exciting 2011 Murfreesboro Half Marathon!

I’m happy to announce that the 2011 Murfreesboro Half Marathon will be held on October 15, 2011… mark your running calendars now and plan to have the 2011 Murfreesboro Half Marathon be a part of your year’s schedule. And don’t forget to sign up early! Beginning May 1, 2011, early registration opportunities will be available for a limited time. We anticipate another sellout this year – so don’t miss out on The Middle Half!

Through careful spending and assistance from sponsors, The Middle Half is able to make donations to these groups that are an important part of the event and the running community.

This year donations were made to the following organizations at the December 1 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting:

$500 Greenhouse Ministries for picking up all the discarded jackets and clothing at the starting line
$750 Books from Birth for stuffing the goodie bags
$1000 Oaklands Historic House & Museum
$1000 Special Kids for their help in organizing Murph’s Fun Run and by supporting the running community through their Team A.S.K. (Athletes for Special Kids)
$2000 Main Street Revitalization Program for their support of the race, and for organizing the Pre-race Pasta Party
$2000 Murfreesboro City Schools: Family Resource Center
$2000 Murfreesboro Pacers for their support of the local running community and for organizing our Elite runners
$2500 Junior League of Murfreesboro for staffing the 3-day Packet Pickup
$2000 Murfreesboro Police Department to go toward a specially fitted bike to patrol the Greenway –
$2500 One Hundred Club – (Police Benevolent Fund)
$2500 worth of shoes and uniforms for participants of the Hershey Track & Field program who would not be able to afford a good pair of running shoes. These will be donated at cost by Fleet Feet Sports Murfreesboro.
$3000 MTSU Track and Cross Country (BRAA)
$3000 Friends of the Greenway
$4000 Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department to use for race items and supplies such as traffic cones, tents, tables, etc.
.
Donations totaling over $6500 were also made to organizations that provided volunteers on race day: Noon Rotary Club, Noon Exchange Club, District Lion’s Club, The Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, MTSU’s Kappa Alpha Order and Riverdale High School ROTC. Girl Scout Troop 1609 received a donation for unwrapping the individually wrapped finishers’ medals before race day.

To each of these groups: THANK YOU!!!

Congratulations to Micah Tirop for not only winning the 2010 Murfreesboro Half Marathon, but also for breaking the overall State of Tennessee record for a half marathon! (1:05:43)

Janet Cherobon defended her Middle Half title by winning the Women’s race with a new course and Tennessee age/gender record! (1:17:12)

Each of the athletes below now hold Tennessee State Age/Gender Records – all broken at the 2010 Murfreesboro Half Marathon!

Name/Age/Residence/Finish time

• Micah Tirop, Age 27, Murfreesboro TN, 1:05:43, *Overall Tennessee Record
• Joseph Maina, Age 28, Richmond Ky, 1:05:58
• Timothy O’Leary, Age 48, Antioch TN, 1:19:49
• Jillian Mastroianni, Age 28, Nashville TN, 1:24:12
• Janet Cherobon, Age 32, Rome GA, 1:17:12
• Sonja Friend-Uhl, Age 39, Brentwood TN, 1:19:00
• Margie Stoll, Age 69, Nashville TN, 1:51:49
• Valera Jones, Age 75, Murfreesboro TN, 2:29:41

These are some amazing results from an outstanding race day! We are extremely proud of these incredible athletes – as well as all of the finishers of The Murfreesboro Half Marathon!

Poster dimensions are 11 in x 17 in., free with a donation of $10.00 or more, (limit 2 posters per person).

Be sure to get your packet early, as a limited number of these exclusive posters were made!

Top 5 tips for a Half Marathon

1. Definitely need to hydrate well prior to race and while training. It is “too late” if you wait until you are thirsty during the race. It is best to learn how to drink while you are running during the training period so you (and your body) are used to it.

2. While you are training you need to “carb” so your body has time to learn how to use this energy while it is working. Whatever you like is OK. People like “gummies,” liquid carbs, bars, etc. Some will eat M&M’s or even cut-up cooked potatoes. The main thing is when one is using up so much energy we need to replenish a source that is easy for your body to use.

3. Pace yourself! Remember why you are doing the race and always save enough of yourself to finish strong!

4. Remember to SMILE

5. Last but not least “have fun”!!!

Good luck!

After the Race:
While it is important to replenish fluid losses and muscle fuel after a race, binging on a large meal is not appropriate. A well balanced meal or snack is appropriate 15-60 minutes following the race to restore muscle fuel and aid in muscle repair. A well balanced meal consisting of carbohydrate and protein is ideal.

2. 30-60 minutes prior to run
-sports drink
-sports gel, sport beans or gummies, sport bar
-piece of fruit or jam sandwich

2. It is important to get .7-0.9 grams of protein per pound of body weight. Protein is important to help build and repair muscle and aid in fluid balance.

3. Every athlete’s calorie needs are different, but it is important to avoid extreme weight changes while training. Focus on a well balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, low fat dairy products, complex carbohydrates, and lean proteins.

4. Drink adequate water throughout the day, before training, during training, and after training.

5. Try new products and drinks during your training phase to determine what type, amount, and timing works best for you. Never try something you have not tried before on race day.

6. It is important to practice “race day” several times before the actual race to see what best works for you. During training, your long run days should be used as practice race days where you try different products, foods, and timing to determine what works for you.