The Niantic Bay Half Marathon and 5K was held on this very soggy Sunday morning at Rocky Neck State Park. The rain produced some sizable puddles, including a huge one under the train bridge where everyone had to pass to get to the start. This caused a delay because people had to walk single file along the edge to avoid getting their shoes completely saturated.

But despite the rainy conditions and late start, the races went relatively smoothly. The starting lines for both races were located at the parking lot behind the pavilion. The 5K racers and half marathoners had separate starting routes and also staggered starting times, with the half kicking off 5 minutes after the 5K. Both races had chip timing and both start and finish mats, so runners received accurate net times.

Both the 5k and the half marathon courses were relatively flat. The 5k loops around the service roads in Rocky Neck. The half marathon is basically two out-and-back legs from the inside of Rocky Neck to the end of Giants Neck. It is a bit tedious doing two long out-and-backs, but at least you know exactly what to expect after the first loop. Usually the area is very scenic as well, although the overcast, rainy weather today diminished that aspect a bit. The course was completely closed within Rocky Neck State Park for the 5k and for that portion of the half marathon. In Giants Neck, one lane is closed to traffic, separated by cones.

There were plenty of water/PowerAde stops along the way, with some offering gu packets as well. The food at the end was ok, although they did run out of pizza.