I was in DC this weekend for the EOD Warrior Holiday Dash Half Marathon and decided to see what other races I could squeeze in on Saturday. For the trip … MORE
I was in DC this weekend for the EOD Warrior Holiday Dash Half Marathon and decided to see what other races I could squeeze in on Saturday. For the trip I took a super early flight Saturday morning and a super late flight Sunday evening. I saw this 5K started at 10:30am so I would have no problem making it there on time. The race is located in VA about 30-45 minutes from DC. It is a cool town right near Manassas National Battlefield Park which I had some time to explore as my flight actually arrived early. It takes place at a sports park. It is a local race but it is timed by Bishop’s Events though it is not an official Bishop Event. There was okay pre race communication. The big issue is there was not much communication about what the course was like. I looked at the map and assumed it was a cross country course but I don’t think that was explicitly stated anywhere or if it was it was not very clear. I didn’t really mind. I was up for anything but some of the participants definitely weren’t prepared. There was a shorter 3K at 9:30 that was advertised as for children and the longer 5K at 10:30. Parking, packet pick-up and logistics all very easy. Packet also included a long sleeved cotton shirt which was fine swag for a short race. The race started with announcements. The announcer gave the most confusing description of the course and I was worried I would get lost. The good news is it was extremely well marked. And it was a cross country course. It was pretty much all on trail and grass. It was not very technical or hilly. It was fine for me as it’s easier on the joints and I had a lot of miles planned this weekend. The course had a lot of turns and out and backs. The issue was I noticed several participants cut corners and skipped out and backs. I don’t think anyone was doing this to cheat as it was participants with strollers, little kids and walkers at the back who I just think were expecting an easy road 5K not a cross country course so it was too hard for them to do the full 5K. The terrain needed to be better communicated as these participants would have been better off doing the 3K. Scenery was mixed. Some parts were nice and wooded other parts were just on fields. The finish line had a timing mat and it was chip timed at the finish only. There is no medal for this race. There was hot cider or chocolate and fruit at the end. My finishing time was fine for the terrains. Overall I had fun and it was nicely challenging for me but needed better communication about what the course was like.
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Quirky Cross Country Course
I was in DC this weekend for the EOD Warrior Holiday Dash Half Marathon and decided to see what other races I could squeeze in on Saturday. For the trip … MORE
I was in DC this weekend for the EOD Warrior Holiday Dash Half Marathon and decided to see what other races I could squeeze in on Saturday. For the trip I took a super early flight Saturday morning and a super late flight Sunday evening. I saw this 5K started at 10:30am so I would have no problem making it there on time. The race is located in VA about 30-45 minutes from DC. It is a cool town right near Manassas National Battlefield Park which I had some time to explore as my flight actually arrived early. It takes place at a sports park. It is a local race but it is timed by Bishop’s Events though it is not an official Bishop Event. There was okay pre race communication. The big issue is there was not much communication about what the course was like. I looked at the map and assumed it was a cross country course but I don’t think that was explicitly stated anywhere or if it was it was not very clear. I didn’t really mind. I was up for anything but some of the participants definitely weren’t prepared. There was a shorter 3K at 9:30 that was advertised as for children and the longer 5K at 10:30. Parking, packet pick-up and logistics all very easy. Packet also included a long sleeved cotton shirt which was fine swag for a short race. The race started with announcements. The announcer gave the most confusing description of the course and I was worried I would get lost. The good news is it was extremely well marked. And it was a cross country course. It was pretty much all on trail and grass. It was not very technical or hilly. It was fine for me as it’s easier on the joints and I had a lot of miles planned this weekend. The course had a lot of turns and out and backs. The issue was I noticed several participants cut corners and skipped out and backs. I don’t think anyone was doing this to cheat as it was participants with strollers, little kids and walkers at the back who I just think were expecting an easy road 5K not a cross country course so it was too hard for them to do the full 5K. The terrain needed to be better communicated as these participants would have been better off doing the 3K. Scenery was mixed. Some parts were nice and wooded other parts were just on fields. The finish line had a timing mat and it was chip timed at the finish only. There is no medal for this race. There was hot cider or chocolate and fruit at the end. My finishing time was fine for the terrains. Overall I had fun and it was nicely challenging for me but needed better communication about what the course was like.