From Fredericksburg VA Main Street Inc.
This year’s Historic Half participants are going to head home from race weekend talking about an even more memorable part of the 13.1-mile course—one that gets their blood pumping
without making their hamstrings ache.
Get ready for Thunder Alley. Downtown Fredericksburg is the historic heart of this city. Past Historic Half participants have remarked on the huge amount of support the community brings throughout the race course, and Thunder Alley will only bolster this reputation. Thunder Alley is located about the halfway mark before the dreaded Hospital Hill. Downtown’s energy and excitement will be on full
display Sunday morning. Come out by 7am to the 700 and 1000 blocks of Caroline Street and the 900 to 800 blocks of Princess Anne Street. Cheer on the racers. It’s a great family event for the early risers. There will be music, free coffee and sweets (until we run out). Did we mention free cowbells? Parking is easy, enter the Sophia Street Garage from Lafayette to Sophia Street or park in public surface lot at 700 block of Sophia Street.
This is not a sleepy town. Here in Fredericksburg, we’re used to stirring things up. Back in the 1770s, George Washington, Hugh Mercer, George Mason and their ilk were known for their rebellious
gatherings at the Rising Sun Tavern, where they’d talk about how the heck America could shed the yoke of British Rule. These days, the energy remains, but the focus is decidedly more fun. Artists, chefs, craft brew-masters and outdoor adventurers come together here to create experiences that have gained this little town big notoriety.
On race day morning, we’ll be putting all of that energy into cheering on every single runner that pounds down Caroline and Princess Anne Streets.
