1/2 Sauer 1/2 Kraut

This year some big city Marathons will cost you more than $200 to enter. You probably have to fork over another $200 to get a hotel room that is within 10 miles of the start at best. By setting your alarm clock to 2:00 AM you get a shot at a parking spot somewhat close to the start and you get to ÔøΩÔøΩÔøΩwarm upÔøΩÔøΩÔøΩ for another 3 hours until you finally get out of line for the Porta JohnÔøΩÔøΩÔøΩs. The ÔøΩ? Sauer ÔøΩ? Kraut offers a somewhat different experience. You can park at the Cannstatter Volksfest Verein German Club and hop onto a free bus shuttle. You will be running on a mostly shaded & (mostly :-)) flat bike trail alongside the Pennypack Creek. You will be supported by 15 aid stations ( 7 for the half), including Oktoberfest Aid station. Heidi, the Bavarian waitress will hand out gels, and we will invite you (yes, first beer is on us) to beer and brats at the post race festivities, while ÔøΩÔøΩÔøΩHansÔøΩÔøΩÔøΩ will entertain you with his accordion. Find out who else is crazy enough to run a race like this in the summer and rehydrate properly at the German club afterwards. You will dramatically increase your chances of winning something by dressing in Lederhosen or Dirndl (traditional bavarian dress).