The 11th annual Good Life Halfsy marathon took place on Sunday, October 27, 2024 all throughout the city of Lincoln, Nebraska. This year had 7,100 participating runners, crushing last year’s number of 6,700. The race is a way to get the running community together in not only Nebraska, but other states as well.

The race starts in the Lincoln East parking lot and ends in the electric atmosphere of the downtown railyard. There were four outdoor cheering stations located at Neighbors Park, Union Plaza, Innovation Campus, and Haymarket Park, where spectators were able to congratulate the runners and party.

Many streets were closed for the race, and Lincoln Police officers were on duty to regulate traffic. Cars passing by after the hour of 8:00 a.m were able to see runners of all ages filling the streets of Lincoln.

This year’s race was an important one for many runners. It was filled with personal records, celebration, and happy exercise endorphins.

“This year was special because I got a new PR and was very proud of myself,” Jenny Kortus, math teacher at East, said. “I also helped coach cross country this year which made my training even more meaningful.”

The first woman to cross the finish line in 1 hour, 15 minutes and 14 seconds was Pasca Cheruiyot, a runner from Ames, Iowa.

“I’ve had the Good Life Halfsy on my racing list because it’s so close to where I live, and Lincoln is so welcoming,” Cheruiyot told Shelby Rickert at the Lincoln Journal Star in “Thousands take part in record-setting Good Life Halfsy in Lincoln,” after her race.

The Good Life Halfsy has runners in the community returning year-after-year.

“I have run five half marathons now, and three of them were The Good Life Halfsy Race,” Kortus said.

The 13.1 miles of race through Lincoln is a tradition that our city looks forward to every fall. We will see if The Good Life Halfsy 2025 will have even more of a turnout, and top this year’s attendance.