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The Holland Haven Marathon, Half Marathon and 8K keeps on growing\u2014last year the September races in west Michigan saw a 60% increase in registrations, with nearly 900 runners participating and 2,000 people taking part in the after-party. Eddie Kline, race founder and director, returns to the podcast to talk about this year\u2019s event, now in its sixth year and set for Sunday, Sept. 8 in Holland, Mich. \u201cThe half marathon almost sold out last year, and it will for sure this year,\u201d he says.

Eddie and Heather also talk about his \u201ctale of two halves and a failed BQ\u201d at last fall\u2019s Columbus Marathon. Eddie gets candid about realizing during the race that things weren\u2019t going the way he\u2019d planned\u2014and how he ultimately changed his mind-set and found a way to remain positive about the experience. \u201cIn the end, the people made the difference for me. Even with a failed BQ, I had an amazing marathon and loved every minute of it.\u201d Eddie is tackling his first ultramarathon, a 50-miler at Dances with Dirt this September in Pinckney, Mich.

With his Holland Haven race, Eddie says he wanted to create a quality hometown race experience for runners, along with providing a final opportunity to snag a Boston-qualifying time in west Michigan. Unlike many races, the Holland Haven offers an expo on race day itself as part of the post-race party that features free beer, cider, and food\u2014for runners as well as spectators. Eddie talks about this year\u2019s new feature\u2014a team runner series\u2014and how the race gives back to local charities and organizations including Camp Geneva, Team Red, White and Blue, and Medals4Mettle.

Race details on the Holland Haven Marathon, Half Marathon and 8K website: https://www.hollandhavenmarathon.com/