The Hilly Half has five stations to warm up, refuel and hydrate before taking on the rest of the race.
The Hilly Half is back for its ninth year in the Brown County State Park to benefit the local YMCA on Nov. 16.
“It’s our big fundraiser, it’s a half marathon, 10K and a 5K all at the State Park on the roads,” Race Director and Brown County Community YMCA Chief Executive Officer Kim Robinson said.
The half marathon is scheduled to start at 9 a.m., the 10K at 9:10 a.m. and the 5K at 9:20 a.m., but times are subject to change.
Last year more than 670 people crossed the finish line. Robinson’s goal is to see 1,000 people this time around.
“We go to Louisville, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and we hit eight expos, different races around the region,” said Robinson. “The CVB markets Brown County hard in Louisville and Cincinnati so that’s our target audience. We’re in front of around 75,000 people at those events, promoting the county as a whole. My whole thing is I want to make this a weekend for people to come in Friday night, spend the night, eat, shop, race and go to a show or something. Make a weekend of it. That’s the whole point. The whole race was designed when one of my staff trained on this course for the Boston race, she said we didn’t have a race out here.”
The race starts and finishes at the lower shelter house by the saddle barn and winds its way through the picturesque roads of the park, passing vistas and the fire tower before making its way downhill for the last two miles of the half marathon, according to the Hilly Half’s website browncountyhillyhalf.com.
The course has five stations with first aid, water, bathrooms, scenic vistas and fire pits. Station one acts as the turnaround point for the 5K runners and station two as the point for the 10K.
Registration for the half marathon is $90, 10K is $60 and 5K is $45 until Nov. 14. People are able to register in person on Nov. 15 and 16, but the prices may differ.
This year the Hilly Half is starting a four-year-series of medals. A graphic designer has captured state park icons (the covered bridge, Hoosier’s nest, fire tower and a vista) on four separate medals so every year runners will get one and can complete the set.
“That’s something new, so we’re excited about that,” said Robinson. “And I have a local guy in Columbus who makes stained glass, he’s my dad’s neighbor. We have customized stain glass awards for the overall winner of each distance, male and female. Every participant gets a complimentary pint glass (from Quaff On) with beer in it, a customized long sleeve t-shirt and we have hot soup and breadsticks for the post-race meal,” said Robinson
The post race party has beer provided by Quaff On, fire, food, water and live music by Kenan Rainwater.
“I’m excited that it’s earlier in November, so maybe it won’t be so cold,” said Robinson. “We’ve been out there in negative 15 degree wind chill before, it’s a week earlier on the calendar.”
Event registration can be found online at raceroster.com/events/2024/85132/2024-hilly-half.
