Fool’s Dual Half Marathon & 5K

I was initially scheduled to run the Cheap Half Marathon in NH (which is an excellent race) but due to a storm during the week that race got postponed. I didn’t have time to rearrange travel plans but saw this half marathon was happening and decided to register. This is produced by Yukan Run in Massachusetts and is located on the North Shore about 45 minutes from where I live. I am not a huge fan of these Yukan Run races as they are always on open roads and have 3 hour time limits. However in the past I have not had issues getting a finishing time. Since it was this or nothing I decided to sign up and see what happened as I needed a half today to make Sun level in Half Fanatics this spring. Unfortunately for I believe the first time ever they decided to be strict with the time cutoffs and I did not get a finishing time so it looks like I won’t make Sun level until the summer. I’m going to try to leave my review as unbiased as possible as it is fair to not give finishing times as there is a stated time limit but it still was not a very good race. Pre-race communication from this company is okay. Most of the updates are on the website but all the info is there. This race started and finished at a school in Gloucester and parking was easy. Bib pick-up is the day of the race and included shirt, tot and hat. It is solid swag though the quality of everything is average. This race is an out and back. There is no corrals but it is just a few hundred runners. I hung out near the back since I knew I would be slow due to some health issues during the week (don’t worry I am fine. It was a transient allergic thing but I was only able to speed walk this weekend). This course is an out and back. Yukan races are not always the most well marked but this was so easy to follow that it didn’t matter. The course had some waterfront and New England views and was pleasant though the race I did with them over the summer (triple threat half) had better views. It was very, very hilly. Nearly 1000 feet of elevation gain. Mostly rollers though. It was just constant up and downs. My biggest issue with the course was it was on open roads. They were very, very busy and there was a narrow shoulder to run on. At one point I almost got hit by a truck. It was also odd we were running with traffic so you couldn’t look for cars coming at you. One runner who had a similar pace to me decided to cross the street and run on a sidewalk against traffic but a race official forced her to go back running on a narrow shoulder with traffic. It was not very safe especially as it was a bit rainy and Massachusetts isn’t really known for having the kindest drivers. The rest of production was fine with an adequate number of aid stations. There could have been a few more porta potties on course but there were a few. As I made my way to the finish line I was disappointed to see the timing mat was removed. My actual finish time was good for my health issues and the hills. One of the timers said they could give a manual time but it has not been updated and I contacted the race and have not heard anything so I am not keeping up hope. I think they just said that so I wouldn’t leave angry. They did give me a medal which is fine. I really wish New England races wouldn’t have such strict time limits especially races on open courses. There are multiple of these Yukan Races and while they aren’t my favorite they are very convenient. I just got my schedule for the summer and fall and if Yukan wasn’t strict with the time limit I would have signed up for 3-4 of their races but instead I choose to travel farther for races with longer time limits. Overall I do not really recommend this race or Yukan Races. As they are now strict with time limits do NOT sign up if you are a 50 stater who may be over 3 hours. If you are a local who needs a convenient race and can run under 3 hours, these will do but I still wouldn’t highly recommend them.