A water stop at Thirteenth and Avery streets serves both half marathon and two-mile racers.

The mile that begins after mile marker 11 might just be the most daunting and most abhorred. This mile starts off with a flat, mostly straight stretch that takes participants through a residential area of Parkersburg, passing by the Quincy Park steps. However, as runners and walkers take the right turn from Avery Street to 13th Street, they are faced with a formidable hill with an elevation of 725.1 feet, the highest point of the race course.

Runners and walkers, after making this grueling climb, will get a reprieve as they travel downhill, before having to make a sharp left turn from 13th Street to Lynn Street. Participants will then be able to enjoy a long, flat portion of the course as they catch their breath after the taxing climb.

Signs mark some quick turns at the end of this mile, so make sure you don’t miss your turn as you approach mile marker 12. Follow the footprints!

The News and Sentinel Half Marathon and Two-Mile Race will be held Aug. 16.

Register for the races at: https://www.newsandsentinelhalfmarathon.com/

Questions? Contact Race Coordinator Sarah Watson at halfmarathon@newsandsentinel.com