Since we had so much fun at the Hershey Half Marathon last year, we decided to make it a tradition and come back for round 2. Once again, they hooked the runners up with 2 tickets to Hersheypark in our race packets, so we got there right around noon when the park opened. Last year we noticed tons of kids in their Halloween costumes and discovered that there’s a few places in and around the park to trick-or-treat for kids 12 and under. Aimee’s kids were all over that, so I hooked them up with their homemade costumes a little early. This was my view for most of the day, which made me grin uncontrollably:
After all the park fun and the best S’more of my life, we went to bed to get ready for our 5:15 wake up call. Then it was time to become total Bettys because our running costumes were Cher and Dionne from Clueless! As if!
We had to haul ass to the Ladies’ for a pit stop before the race so we had about 4 seconds to take these pictures. The line wasn’t bad, but the race had already started by the time we got inside the runners’ corral area. Whatever!
But we made it to the start line 3 minutes later and got down to business running in our most responsible looking ensembles. 
Whoa, that camera guy came out of nowhere! We got comments on our costumes almost the entire time we were out there. People would yell out quotes or sing Fancy to us constantly. We saw my hubby cheering a few times and he was yelling WHATEVER! every time we saw him. In this picture, someone had asked Aimee if we were supposed to be in Kentucky Derby costumes and she says, “No, Clueless!”, which sent them into absolute hysterics of jumping and screaming.
Plus all the kids at the Milton Hershey School were out on the streets cheering and thanking the runners, but when they saw us coming, they would FREAK OUT screaming and cheering for “Iggy”. We high-fived all of them and then made our way back to Hersheypark for the final stretch.
I decided before the race that Hershey was not the place for me to try for a PR because of all the hills, so we just had fun and chatted with each other and the other runners the whole race. But when we saw that the clock at the 12 Mile mark said 2:08, we had to book it to give it a shot. We saw our families, totally paused for a quick hug, and then we were off to make a cameo at the finish line!
I missed a PR by 25 seconds, but maybe 2:14:57 is just a jumping off point to start negotiations! Carpe diem, though; I was thrilled with that time, especially since I wasn’t even trying to come near a PR. 
Aimee’s Dionne’s hat was a celebrity in itself. When people weren’t cheering for us, they were yelling, “Nice hat!” or “I need that hat!”, etc. We determined that the hat is going to need its own Twitter handle. Should we call it @shoppingwithDrSeuss?
The goodie bag after the race at Hershey is probably the best I’ve ever had. No matter what you’re craving, odds are it’s in there. My heart was totally bursting when I saw the fresh-baked giant oatmeal cookie. And since I had just run 13 miles, I didn’t feel like such a heifer eating it.
Last year the medal was a Twizzlers character, which was a major bummer. I expected a Kiss or a Hershey bar at the very least, but a stinkin Twizzler? I was totally buggin! Well, this year they totally redeemed themselves because I am way majorly butt-crazy in love with this new medal.
Even though the hills are way harsh and they desperately need another water stop around mile 10 or 11, we can’t wait to do it again next year. The weather is usually great (around 45* plus a little wind this time) and the foliage is gorgeous this time of year. We’ll have to think of some fun costumes for next time since these were such a hit. Alright, I’m outtie!
Best recap ever…I am totally buggin!
Hahaha, thanks!
I loved your costumes!!! You both were fantastic!!! Total Betty’s.
Lol. Thanks Kim! 🙂
Fantastic time for not even trying! I guess those summer track workouts really pay off! Congratulations! 🙂
Yes, all that torture was worth it! Thanks!
Seeing you ladies in costume on the course was a total pick-me-up. Congrats on the great time and on some fabulous outfits!
Aww, thanks Lauren! It was a really fun day. 😀
Hi Jenny! Do you mind if we use your race medal photo on Active.com? Please email back. Thanks!
Sure thing! Thanks for asking! 🙂
Jenny
I am in love with your Dionne hat! I’m doing research for a Halloween costume, and yours is the best hat I’ve seen. How did you make it?
Thanks Sharon! I used premium felt from Joanns fused with heavy interfacing for the white parts and black duct tape for the black parts. I made it 8 inches tall and just measured my friend’s head to see how many inches to make it around. The other measurements are based off of that; just hot glue or sew the sides together to make the tube and trace around that tube for the rest of the pieces. I glued them together, stuck a flower pin on it and that’s it!
You said you made the hat 8 inches tall; did you add something to a basic hat or did you construct the hat itself from other materials?
…I’m also going to be Dionne this year haha. I’ve already got the clothes, I now need the hat to pull off the final look.
BTW, I live in GA now, but I grew up going to Hershey park! I didn’t eve know they had a yearly marathon in Hershey, PA! That’s so awesome. I actually even worked at Hershey Park summer 2012! I miss that place <3
That’s awesome about working at Hershey Park! I love that place. I made the hat from scratch using an online tutorial. I can’t find the exact one, but this one looks very similar:
http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Tiny-Top-Hat/
THANKS!!! I LOVE YOU!
Thanks so much! I have all my supplies and I’m making it today. Wish me luck!!
Ahhhh! Good luck! 🙂
MY HAT WAS A SUCCESS!!! I made the brim a tad too wide but overall I am super happy with how it turned out! Thanks for your guidance! Here’s a pair of links to check it out if you like:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10206091197731213&set=t.1000511932&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10206091234372129&set=t.1000511932&type=3&theater
Thanks again <3 <3
Facebook won’t let me view the pics, but I’m so happy it worked out for you! 🙂
Thank you so much for your reply! I never would have thought to use premium felt and duct tape. I’ll check out the tutorial you posted below. Thanks again!