Rain, rain and more rain did not dampen the mood or the turnout for Sunday’s seventh annual Hasty Half Marathon.
“I think we had close to 100 people,” race co-coordinator Shannon Hasty said. “And we still haven’t totaled up the number of people who ran in the 5k and 1-mile.”
The run had no race fee but donations were accepted and will be given to the Juneau Suicide Prevention Coalition.
The half marathon began on the hill past False Outer Point and ended at the picnic shelters in Douglas’ Sandy Beach.
A 5k and 1-mile run or walk was held at the half marathon finish location. Snacks and refreshments were served at the end.
The first Hasty Half was conceived in 2009 by a group of girlfriends to celebrate a birthday.
“I wanted to run a half marathon before I turned 40,” Hasty said. “My birthday was in December but there were no more races on the race calendar in Juneau.”
So Hasty’s sisters Sandee Holst and Sheryl Hales, and friends Sara Raster, Stacy Grummett and Laura Scholes, organized one for her.
The run was such a hit that they decided to do it again. Subsequent years included donations going to the memorial fund of fallen Hoonah police officers Matthew Tokuoka and Anthony Wallace; the Kevin Thornton memorial fund, in honor of the 19-year-old from Juneau who lost killed from injuries sustained during a random assault in Arkansas; the Savannah Cayce memorial fund, in honor of the 16-year-old JDHS swimmer killed in a tragic accident on Auke Lake; and the Juneau-Douglas and Thunder Mountain High School cross country teams.
The Hasty Half has grown to see over 100 race participants. Race results are not kept but a timer is activated so runners can note their progress.
Runners begin Sunday’s annual Hasty Half Marathon. This year’s fundraising run proceeds will be given to the Juneau Suicide Prevention Coalition.
