It’s a brisk February morning and the sky is transitioning from charcoal to cobalt. Hundreds of runners who have trained months to be at this half marathon starting line, await the shotgun signal that will initiate the 13.1-mile trek through suburban pavements. They yearn for their finisher’s medals and the incredible views from the top of the Fred Hartman Bridge that await them at mile 9; they’re also running for a worthy cause.
Baytown’s Jail Break Run Half Marathon and 5K is held each year in February, and this year’s race on Saturday, February 24 is bigger and better than ever. Here are the top four reasons to sign up for this year’s Jail Break Run:
4) Beginners to Marathoners Welcome
There are so many ways to participate in this year’s event: 5K, half-marathon walk, half-marathon run, and the new half-marathon ruck. If you are new to the running scene or just looking for a fun event to do with your friends, the 5K and half-marathon walk may be your perfect starting point. For the serious runners, the half-marathon run is 13.1 miles of gentle pavement and breathtaking incline (both physically and visually) and the event is USATF certified. If you’re a hardcore athlete looking for the challenge of your life, try the half-marathon ruck – a 13.1 mile team trek along the course with a 50-pound or 35-pound rucksack. Former Army platoon leader, Danny Campbell, will be leading the way and pushing the team forward in this demanding event.
3) You Run. You Make a Difference.
One hundred percent of the proceeds from the Jail Break Run benefit Project Blue, a police charity. Project Blue is a non-profit organization formed to help officers who face serious illness or injuries outside the line of duty and fund college scholarships in the field of criminal justice. The foundation is funded solely on donations and events like the Jail Break Run. Over the last six years, Project Blue has donated more than $280,000 to police officers and $29,500 in scholarships.
2) It Rains Swag
Each participant in the event will get a bag full of goodies from the sponsors when they pick up their registration packets. In the past, bags have included items from Axe, Lee College, Whataburger, event organizers and more. Sponsors of the event will have booths set up with promotional items and power carbs for fueling up before the race. Also, each participant will get a dry-fit technical shirt, an incredible finishers medal, and a Chick-fil-A sandwich at the end of the race.
1) Oh, the Scenery
Have you ever dreamed of running across one of the largest cable-stayed bridges in the world? The Jail Break Run half-marathon is one of the few events that allow runners to trek their way to the top of the 2.6-mile Fred Hartman Bridge that runs the gap over the Houston Ship Channel between Baytown and La Porte. Once runners reach the top of the bridge, they can snap a selfie or two among the giant yellow cables from 180 feet above the water. The experience is far more surreal than driving the bridge and it makes the half-marathon worth every drop of sweat!
Last year’s run hosted runners from 208 cities and 18 different states. The event is filling up fast with a cap of 1,250 runners for the half marathon and 750 runners for the 5k. To learn more about the Jail Break Run or to register, visit www.JailBreakRun.org.
Not a runner? Excursions to Baytown offer many exciting options from geocaching, to a night at the theater, or relaxing on the water. Baytown is situated in the gulf coast region of Texas among the scenic waterways that once witnessed the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution. Settled just 30 minutes east of Houston and 45 minutes north of Galveston, Baytown is a conveniently located in the Gulf Coast region. For more information on Baytown’s accommodations, events, venues, attractions, and dining, visit us online at www.VisitBaytown.com or download our mobile app in the Google Play and Apple stores.