the August 2012 Edition - Kalamazoo Area Runners

KAR Discount Sponsors
runners will hit the streets through camps like the Kalamazoo
Area Runners Beyond Training Program, Borgess Run Camp,
and the Kalamazoo SHufflers. There are approximately three
times as many runners participating in organized running
camps during the winter months, then we experience during the
summer months in our community. With the popularity of
winter training programs, organizing a major running event
during the season is a natural fit for greater Kalamazoo. In the
six years Kalamazoo Area Runners has been organizing the
Beyond Training Program, we have only had one cancellation
due to extreme winter weather conditions.
Our 20 person planning committee held its kick-0ff meeting in
August and many of the details are in the initial stages of
planning. The majority of the questions received to date
surround the course and for purposes of this article, we will
shift our focus to this aspect of the event.
The Winter Blast half marathon & 5k courses are a combination
of paved bike trail and roads highlighting the park system
throughout the City of Portage. Both events start in front of the
brand new Portage Central High School building. The course
map for the half marathon is now posted to the event website,
and can be found at Portage Winter Blast Half Marathon
Course. Below is a turn by turn description of the half
marathon course, with reference to the 5k turn offs.
The Portage Winter Blast Half Marathon starts in the parking
lot of Portage Central High School and exits south on
Westnedge Avenue. Runners will stay on Westnedge for
approximately 1 mile through a mostly residential section of
Portage. This section of the course features the slightest
downhill grade. The 5k will turn right into South Westnedge
Park, entering the Portage Trail System. After proceeding south
on Westnedge, half marathoners will turn left onto South Shore
Drive and loop through the quiet, West Lake neighborhood.
Here runners will follow South Shore to Organdy, turn left on
Calico, right on Cordoroy, right on Gabardine, right on
Chambray and left again onto Calico before turning right back
onto Westnedge Avenue.
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please use the KAR discount code when purchasing
merchandise or services from discount sponsors.
Gazelle Sports
10% off non-sale shoes. Please supply sales person
with KAR membership number prior to check out.
Healing Moments Massage
Massage bodywork with Joyce Hare located in KVO’s
building on Turwill Lane. Discounts apply per session
or multiple sessions. KAR Member price for one hour
is $50.00. Phone: 269-327-5824 or 269-217-7563)
Prater Chiropractic
Chiropractic Sports Physician, Daryl Prater, D.C.,
CCSP, is offering KAR members a $30 discount on
custom foot orthotics: eSoles www.esoles.com which
uses a laser to scan the contour of the foot and an air
pillow to mobilize the foot into the ideal neutral
position. For more information contact Daryl Prater
at praterd@aol.com
Half marathoners will follow Westnedge North to South
Westnedge Park and will enter the Portage Trail Way, coming
from the opposite direction of the 5k. In order to avoid the
presentation of opposing runners, the 5k event will start 15
minutes before the half marathon, allowing 5k participants to
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