Hot Cider Hustle Half Marathon Race Recap: Winning My Age Group Again!
- Jace Morgan
- Oct 18, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 23
There’s something electrifying about standing on the start line of a race that gets my adrenaline pumping, and this Half Marathon was no exception. This was my second year running the Hot Cider Hustle in Fort Wayne, IN, and unlike last year, I felt like I had something to prove. I showed up in the best shape of my life, ready to cross the finish line with no excuses. Over the past year, I’ve battled injuries, run longer distances, and trained harder than ever. My goal was to run sub-1:30:00, and the excitement of chasing that time had finally come down to this moment.
Pre-Race Prep
On October 12, 2024, Rikki and I loaded up on carbs for dinner and prepped our gear for race day. Everything was laid out—nutrition plan dialed in, supplements packed, outfits ready. The only thing left was to get a good night's sleep and wake up early for the 30-minute drive to the start line. Our alarms buzzed at 5:30 a.m., and within minutes, we were out of bed and moving. For my fellow runners, you know the drill—first caffeine, then let it work its magic. There wasn’t much talking; we were both in the zone, mentally preparing for the pain we knew was coming. I felt confident, ready to push myself. Rikki, while an amazing runner, was battling some pre-race nerves, but I knew she’d crush it.
As we drove, we chatted about our race plans. Rikki aimed to run under 2:00:00, averaging around an 8:50/mi pace, while I planned to start strong at a 6:45/mi pace with the lead pack. By the time we parked, the excitement and confidence were buzzing, and we were both ready to race.
Miles 1-4: Settling In
We jumped into the corral, exchanged a quick kiss, and went to our pace spots—Rikki about 30 people behind me, and I lined up with the top 10 men at the front. The clock ticked down, and we were off! I settled into a groove around a 6:40 pace, cruising down the flat roads toward the River Greenway Trail along the St. Joseph River. The crowd was electric, and the first 5K flew by. After a few miles, the course makes a U-turn, giving runners a chance to see the pack behind. It’s always uplifting to share encouragement and high-fives as you pass fellow runners. I spotted Rikki not far behind, looking strong and steady.
Miles 5-9: The Grind
Running along the River Greenway was beautiful, passing Johnny Appleseed’s grave before crossing the river to the longest, most daunting section. Miles 5-9 are flat and open—a straight bike path across town with little shade and long sightlines. It felt like I could see miles ahead, and the lead runner was
pulling further away. The turnaround wasn’t until mile 7.5, so I broke down the distance into manageable chunks, focusing on small wins like reaching a bench or passing a tree. These miles hurt; the 6:45 pace felt like an all-out sprint, and my legs felt heavy. But I kept my head down, reminding myself that I could endure anything for just 30 more minutes.
Finally, I saw the lead runner coming back toward me, and when we passed, my spirits lifted. I was only a few minutes behind and sitting in 5th place. I made the turnaround at mile 7.5 and decided to pick up the pace, pushing to a 6:15/mi as I headed back down the long straightaway. The adrenaline of chasing down the leaders masked the pain shooting through my legs. Around mile 9, I passed Rikki again—she was in the same focused zone as me, head down and grinding. We shared a quick high-five and an encouraging look.
Miles 10-13.1: The Final Push
Crossing the river for the last time after mile 10, I could feel my energy fading. My legs felt like lead, my lungs were burning, and I was out of water. The last few miles had some uphill sections I knew would be tough. My pace dropped to 7:10 as I climbed, trying to stay positive. Checking my watch at mile 12, I knew it would be close. The mental battle set in—could I pick up the pace? Could I still make it? But when I hit mile 12.5 and saw the time slip past 1:30:00, I felt a brief wave of disappointment. The finish line was in sight, but the goal was gone.
At that moment, I reminded myself of the bigger picture—my performance was still strong, and I had given it everything I had. I crossed the line with a new PR of 1:32:28, taking 6th place overall and winning my age group again. Rikki crossed 25 minutes later, smashing her goal with a PR of 1:56:38, placing 3rd in her age group. Crossing the finish line felt like a mix of relief and joy, and the cheers from the crowd and volunteers made it all the more special.
Reflections on the Race
This year’s Hot Cider Hustle Half Marathon was an amazing lesson in resilience and finding joy beyond the goal. I never expected to miss my target, but the race taught me to appreciate the process and be proud of the effort I put in, regardless of the time.
What’s Next
Rikki and I are now gearing up for the Veterans Day Half Marathon in Columbia City, IN, on November 2, 2024. We’ll spend the next few weeks tweaking our training and nutrition to prepare for the quick turnaround.
A HUGE thank you to everyone who supported us and cheered us on before, during, and after the race. It means the world to us, and we couldn’t do it without you. To the volunteers and race staff, thank you for the amazing course, aid stations, and celebrations—everything was perfect. We can’t wait to be back next year!
Cheers, Jace & Rikki
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