Marathon 53 - Mason City, IA Story*Training*Injury*Schedule*Spectators*Statistics

I had signed up for Mason City last year (as well as Twin Cities), but missed them due to a trip to New Zealand.

Not much training post-Timerberman, though I did get a few long runs of 15, 18, but not much of a base.

Southwest into Minneapolis/St Paul, then a 2 hour drive south to Mason City. Packet pickup and Pasta dinner at the Newman School.

80 people in the marathon, 100 in the half, and 100 in 5 & 10 K's.

For such a small race, this was well staffed with enthusiastic volunteers, mostly well marked (there were 2 transitions that were a little confusing), and a nice course. Unpaved roads thru the cornfields, over trails, and thru "maple" street of middle America.