The Challenge:
Oktoberfest Half Marathon
Oktoberfest Half Marathon Marathoners start near the renown Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area. Runners run a loop through the Icicle Canyon the Bavarian Village of Leavenworth through wooded riverfront trails. A nice relief with mixed surfaces including asphalt and dirt trails. Surrounded by impressive mountains, you’ll likely see salmon spawning in the Wenatchee River and Icicle Creek.
We did it. Some of our favorite earnthebeer members, along with new members ran the Leavenworth Oktoberfest half marathon two years in a row! Wooohoo. This year started off a little warmer, but equally beautiful as last year which made those first six miles fly by. As the weather warmed spectators rolled out on to the streets helping to cheer on runners. On mile 8 I was handed my first thirst quenching taste of beer ever during a race. At that point everything was right again until that last deadly, sand stricken mile that rolls along the river. But, right at that time, when I didn’t think I could take it anymore, the finish line rose like a phoenix and lifted us all the way through the end.
The Reward:
There is nothing like a beer after working to achieve something as challenging as running 13.1 miles. With family and friends around our sore feet took us into town where we landed at Watershed Café and had ourselves a Bootjack IPA from Leavenworth’s Icicle Brewing Company. It was full flavored with hints of citrus and sweet hops.
