I’ve run this race several years, so I will spare you some of the nitty gritty details. Know that the first half of the 9.3-mile race is very hilly. The second half (well, after about mile 5.5) is relatively downhill and flat. Until the bitter end, when you finish on an uphill.
I have taken the photos of the course, and today I want to show you the Biltmore photos that aren’t usually taken by a normal visitor. And as we all know, I’m anything but normal when it comes to visiting Biltmore.
(Also, let me preface this with the fact that I had a pretty violent reaction to something I ate on Thursday night. It was very likely food poisoning. And I wasn’t feeling 100% by Sunday morning. My first two mile splits were close to 10 minutes, and I normally go out faster. I just couldn’t make myself go faster. That’s when I decided to have even more fun with my photo-taking.)
I almost (ALMOST!) saw the sun rise at the start of the race.
You run under a road and I think the bridge is so cool.
I’ve always wanted a selfie with the horse crossing sign…or does Biltmore think I’m as slow as a horse? Either way.
Yep.
These flowers are so tiny! So I got close and personal with the bushes.
Look! A photo of the house MINUS the shuttles! It’s a gorgeous home.
The gardens…minus people.
The waterfall from the pond. We’ve hiked down there, but this is taken from a space where you can pull over (if you know you can pull over.)
I was terrified these guys were going to attack me.
The race was put together fairly well. I wish they wouldn’t put the finish on an uphill. They had space to do it on a downhill this year, which would have allowed for easier access to leave. As it was, I needed to get out early and I almost hit a lot of runners who were hanging around after their races (not their fault. Mine because I was leaving, but it would be a safer alternative in future years to change the finish.) There is a lot of construction taking place at Antler Hill Village (the start/finish of most races at Biltmore) so it’ll be interesting to see how this affects the racing community!
gorgeous scenery!!! terrific pictures!
Oh how I love this race!!! It’s like you get the house/ gardens/ land to yourself!
love the race plan. gorgeous photos
What great views and flowers around the Biltmore! Thanks for sharing at the best of the blogoshere