Distance: Half Marathon

First things first. The half marathon is 13.1 miles. This means it is in fact half the distance of a marathon. Now, most of you know this, but in my life, I talk to people everyday who don't understand what a half marathon is.

In Indiana, very few people call it a half marathon. They call it a "Mini." You can thank this phenomenon on the annual 500 Festival Mini Marathon in Indianapolis. You can go anywhere outside the state, and people call it a half marathon, but in Indiana, they just call any 13.1 race a "Mini."

The half marathon is probably my favored distance. It's long enough to be a challenge. It's short enough that is doesn't kill my body like a marathon. I enjoy the race a great deal. So do many more runners.

According to Running USA, since 2003, the half-marathon has been the fastest growing road race distance in the United States, and for six consecutive years (2006–11), the number of 13.1 mile finishers has grown by 10% or more each year. No other U.S. road distance comes close to this growth rate during the Second Running Boom (circa 1994). 59% of half marathoners are women. In 2011 there were 1.6 million finishers of half marathons.

Those figures are quite impressive. Races are popping up all the time. There is the popular Rock n Roll series. Disney is also creating races at their theme parks. Sports arenas are a lure for half marathons. You can run a lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. You can circle Lambeau Field. You can finish on the 50 yard line at Notre Dame Stadium. Moments of sports glory and history can be yours.

The fastest half marathon recorded is 58:23. At 58:23, I am past mile 4.

My goal for the year is to complete 4 half marathons. So far I have registered for two of them. Still figuring the other two. It should be doable though.

Charlie