Judgment Day Half Marathon

(Half #23, 2015)
Running Sole 2 Soul’s Challenge series was easily my favorite set in 2015.
Beginning with Auberry’s Heavenly Half: «From almost 5000 feet up, amidst and atop the beautiful Sierras and the local foothills of Auberry, lie increasingly scenic and awe-​inspiring views of the blanketing valleys below, beautifully green and heavily spring-​abundant. The roads, lined with pines, meander and curl, making their way closer and closer to the mountain floor. The air, chilled from a snowfall the evening before, is clean, crisp, and still» (
).
Followed by Exeter’s One Hell of a Half: «Well, hell, it was only about 95°F at peak, still incredibly hot and not a cloud in the sky; but it wasn’t as bad as it could have been, I guess. By around 10am, the temperature had just reached the low 80’s. But I’m telling you, those two hills – those upward climbs beneath the relentlessly beating sun – took their toll» (
).
And ending at Bakersfield’s Judgment Day Half: Starting at Lake Ming and running along the bluffs of Bakersfield, the winding course continues past Bakersfield College and then hits the flat streets of downtown, ending with an exciting Kern County Museum finish! Truthfully, Judgment doesn’t have the beauty of Heavenly nor the grit of Hell, but it’s still a finish that for months I had been planning for and looking forward to.
Besides bragging rights, the Series offers the best swag:
HEAVENLY: The Heavenly Half finisher’s medal, a long-​sleeved Heavenly Half Tech Shirt, Insulated Event Coffee Mugs and Runner’s Hats, Heavenly Half Stadium Blankets for everyone, and a tasty, Hot Breakfast served with Top O’ The Morn Chocolate Milk.
HELL: A Hell of a Half tech tank, the Hell of a Half finisher’s medal, Spenco Sandals ($ 50 Value), Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle, a Running Visor (for those who sign up early), Hot Breakfast at the finish line, Disposable Chip Timing, and Personalized Race Bibs.
JUDGMENT: The Judgment Day finisher’s medal, Judgment Day Hooded Sweatshirt, Soul Series Medal (it’s HUGE!), Custom Head Buff Covering, Fluid Performance Drink, Hot Breakfast at the finish line, Disposable Chip Timing, and Personalized Race Bibs.
It took a lot of planning and a lot of driving, but this challenge was definitely worth it.