The Will-Whammer Half Marathon: A race to benefit the No-Freeze Hospitality Center. Sponsored by Savings Institute Bank & Trust. Hosted by Willimatic Athletic Club.
The course starts and ends at the Jillson Square in downtown Willimantic, with plenty of parking. Runners will begin by heading down Main Street and cross the Willimantic River on their way to Columbia and Lebanon. Leaving the road for a short time, participants will run the historic “Airline” rail trail for nearly a mile before returning to the road. Heading back into Willimantic, participants will run over the famous Frog Bridge and along Jillson Square in front of cheering spectators on mile 6, before heading to the West end of Willimantic. Leaving Willimantic again, runners will head North through picturesque pastures in Mansfield on miles 9 and 10. Mile 11 brings runners by the ECSU sports complex. Coming in flat and fast, miles 12 and 13 run South on Ash and Jackson streets, for a finish at Jillson Square.
The race is chip-timed, and finishers receive custom pint-glasses. Short-sleeve tech shirts will be given to runners who register prior to April 1, 2014. Dominos pizza is providing the post race food. 4 water stations will be available on the course. Medals will be given to the top three finishers in each age/gender category.
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The WilliWhammer is walker-friendly. The half marathon has a time limit of 3:30, with an optional one-hour early start for anyone needing more time to complete the course.
Live music, tents, massages and vendors will be located on Jillson Square.
For more information, go to WAC's website at www.willimanticathleticclub.org.
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This information originated from Windham Town Manager's Neal Beets's "Fast Facts" and is posted by Peter Leeds, a long-time and former runner.
