Honor veterans with a patriotic half marathon

It did not take me long to find the first race I wanted to do as a BibRave Pro. The 2017 St. Elizabeth Healthcare Honor Run Half Marathon in Florence, Kentucky, spoke to me in several ways.

First, it is a benefit for veterans — something that I wholeheartedly support, especially considering that I work for The American Legion, the nation’s largest veterans service organization.

Secondly, it’s fairly close to my home so it will make for only a couple hour trip each way.

The race is Nov. 12, the day after Veterans Day, and the weekend after my Indianapolis Monumental race. I don’t often race on back-to-back weekends but with this half marathon as the second race, I don’t see any issue with it.

There are lots of options to choose from: In addition to the half marathon, there is a two-person relay, a 5K run-walk and a kids one-mile race. All race participants will receive a race T-shirt, a custom finisher’s medal, and post-race food and drinks. There also is plenty of free parking at the nearby Florence Mall.

Use the code "BIBRAVE10" for $10 off.

(Disclaimer: I received a free entry to this race as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro ambassador, and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!)

Honoring veterans on your shirt, hat or flesh

The half marathon and the relay begin at 7 a.m., followed by the 5K at 7:30 a.m. and the kids race at 10:45 a.m. All events start and finish under the Florence Y’All water tower at Florence Mall.

Proceeds from all Honor Run events will benefit Honor Flight Tri-State. The Honor Flight programs send World War II, Korean and Vietnam veterans to Washington, D.C. ,to visit their memorials. Habitat For Humanity of Cincinnati will be another beneficiary; it will receive funds to help support a local veteran home repair.

The race also encourages family members and friends of veterans and service members to display their loved one’s names and/or pictures on their shirt, arm or race hat. It’s a great way to honor those who sacrificed so much for our freedoms.