Rock the Canyon

We haven't actually planned out all our races for 2016 and truthfully, I think we're gonna play it by ear. Our goal has been to cut back on the larger races and to do some more races closer to home. Perhaps you could say we are getting a little lazy?

Nah, we're not getting all that lazy, we just don't want running and training to consume our lives. There is so much more out there ya know!

BUT we did come across this race that sounds really cool. It's called the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon Marathon and Half Marathon.
 
I actually saw this race a few years ago but thought it might be too difficult. Now after having run two full marathons, I think maybe I could handle this half.
 
Here are the details.
 
- Half Marathon on Saturday
- Full Marathon on Sunday
-Organized Pasta Dinner for Runners on Friday night
 
Both races are chip timed and the marathon is a Boston Qualifier.
If you do both, It's called Rock the Canyon and of course you get an additional medal.
 
 
The course is through the beautiful Pennsylvania Grand Canyon in Wellsboro, PA.  To be honest, I've never even been to the PA Grand Canyon but I hear it's really great.
 
For being a trail race in the canyon, the elevation isn't half bad.
 
 
 
I think I can handle this!
 
 
 
Of course there are some downsides to this race.
 
It is in July!  It is so hot here in July.
It starts pretty early though. I guess this is good that runners can get a few miles in before the sun comes up but this would still require me to drive into Wellsboro the evening before and get a hotel room. They do have host hotels though so finding a place shouldn't be that bad.
 
 
Before I make a decision on this race, I'm going to take a day this spring and check out the canyon and the trail. Normally I don't check out the race route ahead of time but I think this one might warrant a good look around. If nothing else, I'm sure I'll have a beautiful hike through the canyon.
 
Until then, I've been searching blogs trying to find race reviews on this race. I only read one so far, but if you know of anyone who ran it and did a race recap, please let me know. I'd love to check it out.
I found a picture of a medal from the half marathon in 2014 and a pretty in depth race review from Becca at the blog Diary of a Slow Runner.  You should check it out!
 
Do you know someone who has run this race? Do YOU want to run this race?
 
 
 
                                        We'll be linking this post up with the gals from TOTR.
 
 

49 comments:

  1. That is such a beautiful setting for a race. The scenery makes all of the difference for me!

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  2. Sounds like a good race! Summer races always make me nervous with the heat, but hopefully its starts early enough that it won't be an issue!

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    1. Running in the summer generally doesn't bother me but I'm not sure about 13.1 miles!

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  3. I'm all about looking for new races to try out and experience. Though that July race date might intimidate others, I have yet to let heat or humidity deter me from signing up for a race.

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    1. I'm pretty sure I won't encounter a race as hot as the one at VA Beach over Labor Day, right?

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  4. Who even knew there was a Penn Grand Canyon?! I am all about looking into new races too!

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    1. I can't believe I've lived here most of my life and have never been there!

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  5. I never knew there was a PA Grand Canyon!!! You learn something new every day. =) The race sounds amazing - I can only imagine the scenic backdrop the course would present! I love discovering new races, too, and I love being able to read others' reviews and experiences thanks to the magic of the blogosphere!!!

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    1. Yes, I love that I can usually find someone who has done a race I'm considering.

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  6. I'm always in awe of people who travel for races... I'm just always looking for local races. I need a little more of your adventure for races :)

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    1. I'd like to do a little less traveling for races these days but we only have local 5ks here and 2 halves that are pretty boring routes!

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  7. The half would be so fun to do! I may do it! But I am a commitmentphobe and I am sure it will fill up before I make a decision...

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    1. Have you ever been to the Grand Canyon to check it out?

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  8. It isn't being lazy, it's concentrating on the running instead of the logistics of large races :) That elevation doesn't look bad at all but the July heat doesn't sound fun for a long race.

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    1. You got it. It's usually the logistics that make me nervous, not really the race itself.

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  9. That picture looks gorgeous. Maybe it's cooler there than other parts of the state? I wouldn't call you lazy at all. Traveling long distance for races can be stressful.

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    1. Yes, traveling is stressful! Especially when I have to leave Baylee behind!

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  10. The PA Grand Canyon is beautiful! We hiked there back in the fall, it was a great experience, except for the part where I accidentally dropped a bottle of water to the bottom of the canyon.

    I was considering this half marathon as well, because I really liked Wellsboro PA, I find it to be a very cute town! Good luck making the decision!

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    1. I have never been to wellsboro but look forward to visiting and checking things out!

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  11. It looks like a gorgeous course based on the review you've linked! I'm leery of hills because Columbus is relatively flat, but I think beautiful scenery makes up for a tough run. Plus, some of my toughest, slowest runs have made me feel more accomplished than a flat PR (though I still love flat PRs). ;)

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  12. I love the antique look of the medal! It sounds smart to check it out ahead of time just to see what you're getting into.

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  13. I would totally do this race. Becca's elevation chart looks a little more hellish than the one you have though! My kid and I drove through PA last November and I loved every minute of the beautiful scenery. The Canyon would be awesome.

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    1. Hmm, I got my chart right from the race website. I'll have to check her blog out again.

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  14. I heard great things about this race once, but it wasn't from a blogger. I met a guy at I think it was the Philly Marathon who was raving about it. I know he was a marathon maniac, but can't remember his number, or I'd pass it onto you to hit him up.
    The course looks like gentle rolling hills, it will probably feel pretty flat to run. Might notice a little on that one hill half way, but it doesn't look like a big one and doesn't stretch out. It looks mostly more downhill, the only hill that looks like the legs might notice is that last mile, but again it looks very gentle if your trained well you may not even notice it. I know you like flatter courses, so I would say go for it, this one looks like a course that may not be flat, but definitely not really much of any climbing. Plus, from what I remember from the guy talking about it, it is beautiful lush green scenery.

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    1. I thought of you when I saw this race. I thought, "this is all Kristy"!

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  15. It looks beautiful, but OMG July! There aren't any long races at all down here in the summer b/c it's so miserable.

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  16. This sounds like a beautiful run! I would be a little worried about the temperature. Then again I am a Florida girl so...... maybe the humidity is better there?

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  17. Sounds like a cool race to run! Hopefully it won't be too hot. If I lived closer it would be a race I would put on my list.

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  18. This looks like fun! Hopefully the heat isn't too intense for the race. This year I'm looking at more races closer to home, too. Much easier to get to and there are so many options! :)

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  19. I don't mind going up hill but hate coming down. I have signed up for races then found out AFTERWARDS what the elevation was. Yeah, I had a couple kind of scary ones (three to be exact) but I figure it is just another great experience and race them for fun, not time.

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  20. I've not heard of this one. It sounds great, except for the hot July part. I think that is my dilemma with racing right now. I've done most of the races around here and I haven't put travel plans together. Thanks for linking up!

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  21. This looks like a great race! I'm already looking forward to your recap. I never realized until I started reading other people's blogs how beautiful Pennsylvania is. I figured it was just like Illinois. Wrong!

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  22. I did not know there was a "Grand Canyon" in PA. The medal is gorgeous and I would think the location could help with the heat in July. You are lucky to have a summer distance race near you. By the time summer gets to NC, the best we have are 5k's and honestly you don't even want to sign up for those due to the heat and humidity.

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  23. When you said canyon, the first thing I thought of was hills!! The elevation map you posted doesn't sound too bad, though! I had no clue there was a grand canyon in PA, either! :)

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  24. I had a friend do both races last year and she loved it! I found some reviews on BibRave in case you didn't see them - http://www.bibrave.com/races/pennsylvania-grand-canyon-1-2-marathon

    I'd love to run a race in July but I am definitely worried about the heat! I don't think it'd be too bad in Western PA though!

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  25. I think it would be beautiful! I am dying to do a canyon run myself- but I'm eyeing the Revel series and the downhill aspect. I love running down!

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  26. looks like such a nice race! i've never considered a half and a full in the same weekend but it'd be a cool goal to work toward.

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    1. I did the Goofy Challenge last year (the half and the full on the same weekend) and I don't plan to do that same things again anytime soon! The half will be plenty for one weekend..lol

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  27. I just looked at this race last week and thought it would be so beautiful to run there. I lived in PA for over a decade and never knew there was a Grand Canyon there! The half sounds like a great way to enjoy the scenery and not deal with as many hills. Good luck!

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  28. That looks like such a beautiful place for a race!!! Have fun!

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  29. Someone from my running group ran this race last year, but he doesn't have a blog. He was so concerned about the heat that he was training with a Cambelbak backpack so he could have plenty of water. I've been to the Grand Canyon of PA but not the race course. The "trail" we took there was straight down and then straight back up, so it was a killer. I assume the course would be along the rim because the canyon is so steep and wouldn't match that elevation chart. Definitely check it out beforehand!

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    1. Oh, I will absolutely check it out before I make any decisions! Do you want to run it?

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  30. I hadn't heard of this area (or the race). I will file this for later use, as we may just drive through Pennsylvania to visit family on the east coast at some point. And if we do, I may just schedule a race weekend there!

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  31. This is Jean from the Tyoga Running Club. I was informed that the PA Grand Canyon Marathon was cancelled this year. The Chamber of Commerce would like to see a marathon event continue in the Canyon, so they have asked the club for assistance. The event will open in a different name but the dates will stay the same. If you would like us to contact you about this event should we take it on, please email run4trc@gmail.com

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