These are words you’ll likely hear from well meaning family members when signing up for a Half Marathon. The distance is just long enough that it pulls in obsessed distance runners from across the state and just short enough that it allows those seeking a challenge to step up in their running journey.
The distance is as much mental as it is physical. It is a distance of you versus you, demonstrating that you are strong in the face of your inner voice telling you that “you can pull out at any time, no one is forcing you to do this”. Alas, the half marathon is more than just running, it’s a check box to the tough individual you know you are or can be.
Like Australia at large, the greater Port Macquarie area is currently experiencing a running boom. In 2023, we saw the introduction of the RunHaven event, a family focused distance running event catering from the kids 3 km fun run up to the 21.1km half marathon distance.
As a local to the area, I ran the half marathon in last year’s event. Unlike other running events, I think the event is amazing at bringing together the relationship between the athlete and spectators. It’s a brilliant opportunity for your mates, your mum and dad, wife or husband or even better- your kids, to get to cheer you on and celebrate victories and mourn defeats in reaching your goals. It’s also a great opportunity in showing people how to fail (we all do).
The event starts and finishes at the Laurieton United Services Club, this allows spectators to watch the race from the elevated deck to the back of the club, or in the nosebleeds behind barricades. The course is flat and fast and there’s something about running next to a calm body of water, whilst pushing your body to its limits that is invigorating.
As an athlete, you race the sunset running out to Dunbogan before turning around and running back towards the North Haven surf club. You also run through the middle of the crowd on an elevated platform above cheering family and friends.
The atmosphere at RunHaven is electric as you pass by and give the obligatory high five to those championing your efforts. Once you have reached the finish line, you are met with warm smiles, friends and families cheering you, a finishers medal and a cold beer (is there any better way to finish a race?!).
RunHaven is an event not to miss and I wish you the best of luck in your running journey and hope to see you at the finish line for a cold beer.
Mainey - 2024
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