GCI Half Marathon Race Report or, is it Running Loose Half Marathon Race Report, or maybe just *Run* Half Marathon Race Report

"Columbus wouldn't allow us to call the race, 'Running Loose,' so we had to change it to just, 'Run.'" That's what it says on the T-shirts: Run. The emails, website, and social media had originally called it Running Loose, but the latest email I received from them referred to the event as the GCI Half-Marathon. GCI stands for Grafton Correctional Institution, and this may give you a clue as to why the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction didn't want the word, loose, in the title.

Regardless of the name, running inside a prison (actually, just being inside it) was a unique, profound, inspiring, and deeply moving experience for me, and I don’t say that kind of thing often. I am extremely grateful to Keith Johnston of Running2BWell, Warden Keith Foley, and all of the incarcerated people who helped make the race such a wonderful experience. I'll do my best to recount the events of this morning's little jog.

This photo is from the race website, not from race day itself. But I ran with several of these folks

I will start with the pre-race instructions from Keith J., who has been working with the inmates to help them prepare for the race.

"I've enjoyed spending time with them and I'm sure you will as well. They are working hard to improve their physical and mental health and we all have a great opportunity to support them so that when they come home, they'll be healthier on all levels. That being said, they are incarcerated for good reasons so be wise about your interactions.

Bring a photo ID

You cannot bring in any electronics or phones; watches are ok.

Don't wear tank tops or singlets.

Don't bring in water, drinks, energy gels, etc. You can bring a hand-carry empty bottle (like TSA) and then fill it with water once you get there. There will be snacks available after your race.

Hats are OK. They'll likely be searched.

You'll be going through a metal detector.

Don't bring in your car keys, they can be secured in lockers at the front gate

We'll do our best to accommodate your shirt size but please be understanding if we can't. The prison has to order apparel from only state-approved vendors and we may not be able to match everyone. We'll do our best.

The course is a roughly 0.8-mile loop within the yard. So you'll pass the water stop every lap. It's a mixture of sidewalk and paved path with a small hill and a few sharp turns. The 5k will consist of 4 loops and the Half will be 16 loops (12.8 miles). We may be able to add a little to get closer to 13.1 but no promises."

Thank goodness I had talked my running partner, Chadwick Sunday, into joining me. It was good to have a friend with whom to share this unique experience. Another old friend, Roy Heger, participated as well. Altogether, there were about 15 runners from the "outside," and we all cleared security and entered GCI together as a group.

As we made our way to the starting area, we passed the huge vegetable garden, the service dog training area, and the extensive gym. Keith J. gave some further information about the institution and the event, and we were introduced to Warden Keith Foley. Keith F. seemed very nice, and we were interested to learn that he would be participating as a runner along with the rest of us. We also learned that there would be about 90 participants in all, so I guess that about 75 of them were incarcerated. I don't know how many would be doing the 5K versus the Half. Chadwick and I began to meet and chat with some of the other runners. Many were running their first race of any kind, but several said they had trained for this event.

Just before the start, one of the inmates sang the National Anthem. It was as beautiful a rendition as I've ever heard. As the race began, we continued to chat with the other runners between huffs and puffs. The 3/4-mile course was slightly confusing at first, but it quickly became familiar. I found it interesting that we seemed to go through gates that took us through different areas of the prison. The razor wire of the surrounding outside fence was never far away though. We ran by several different buildings as well as the garden and dog training areas. 

The best part, by far, was the enthusiastic support of the incarcerated spectators. A lot of them were outside doing various activities or just cheering on this day. They enthusiastically cheered us on for each and every lap. The guys at the three water stations took their jobs seriously as they also cheered as they made sure we were hydrated. There was music as well. I think several different bands took turns, and everything sounded great.

Chadwick and I continued chatting with each other, as well as with our fellow runners. Hearing that some of the incarcerated runners were doing their first Half-Marathon was inspiring. We gave as much encouragement as we could. They were welcoming to us in a big way as well. Eventually, the two of us became separated, but we continued to see each other as well as everyone else on the course, especially as the 5K runners finished up. Keith F. appeared to love and be loved by everyone at GCI. He gave high-fives to all of the other runners and got them from the spectators. What a great guy!

I managed to pick up my pace a little in the second half. It was beginning to get warm, but I was able to finish my 16 laps fairly well; my finish time was 1:46:25. That would be a very good time for me - my best in years - except for one little unfortunate detail: this Half-Marathon was, according to my Garmin, 11.92 miles long. Darn. I still averaged 8:56 per mile and this is nearly exactly the same as my pace at the recent Medina Half Marathon. So I'll take it. I jogged a couple of miles after the race, including some with Chadwick and Roy. As far as I knew, only one guy passed me and stayed ahead. I thought it possible that I may have been second overall. But I never quite figured out my place because the folks with the results sometimes included the 5K runners who finished earlier, and also sometimes placed the inmates ahead of the visitors regardless of the true times. It would have been nice to know for sure but I'm okay with all that.

16 laps. What do you get? Another day older and deeper in ... (that's from a song called 16 tons)

After the race and the cooldown, Keith F. treated Chadwick and me to a tour of more of the facility. We got to see an actual cell block and met the inmate who inhabits it. He was only too happy to show us around, along with Warden Keith. Keith told us that he feels blessed and that he loves his job. What a great guy! We also met and talked with several other inmates, and all were gracious hosts. We wished them all the best.

Did you know that when you finish a race inside a prison, you can't just get in your car and go home? It was a little bit confusing (and very slightly nerve-racking to me), when Chadwick and I had to search for someone to escort us to the exit. It wasn't any more straightforward than getting in.

And that's about it. I won't forget this one for a very long time.