William Glick's Staging Area

Did this with friends at work. Virtual, good production. Hope to run it in person if able next year. Great swag, communication, etc.

Only critique would be unclear instructions on adding/reporting times.

Local race, 200ish signed up, 150 finished. Hosted at a local high school, so good parking. We were able to use the restrooms before the race. Started promptly. No frills–did have SecondWind chip timing, but no pomp and circumstance, local race format.

The weather was awful. Whiteout conditions, which were manifestly unsafe given this was an “open” course with minimal road closures, lack of cones on the shoulder. However, police were present to facilitate safe crossing of a main road. There were simple “arrow” signs and about 4 aid stations with 2(ish?) portapotty stops, and understandably some unmanned aid stations.

The first three miles were not too bad. We can’t control the weather, but I do feel as if the race coordinator made somewhat of an irresponsible call by not cancelling the morning of with 3″ of snow and deteriorating conditions. I understand we sign the life away when we sign the waiver, but honestly, I would consider skipping this again next year because of this experience. I cannot speak for others but I would not have been upset if the race was postponed to Saturday/Sunday. People around me and myself included were slipping and falling. I cannot fathom why this local race could have just been rescheduled for the following day.

The same small(ish) spinner finisher medal for half and 10k participants, and was underwhelming. No volunteers at the end, greeted with your medal still in the plastic, cold pizza, and a local non-profit offering hot chocolate. The high school locked out the participants (from what I could tell) so no bathrooms available after the race.

I believe Ocean State Multisport runs this course a few times throughout the year for their series, and despite the weather, the course could be fun in “normal” conditions. One decent climb in the middle, and rolling hills at the end. If convenient, I would consider doing their “crabby” one in the summer. For the chilly willy, skip it and sit this one out.

Great race. Would do this again.
Course/Race Vibe: Flat, and turnaround. Wonderful views of the water here in Maine. Some rolling hills here and there, but nothing major. I PR’ed (post-college) with literally one second to spare. Cool day in 2025, October is perfect for half start. They DID start on time, which was a pleasant surprise (all other races this year were LATE to start, but not this one!) Course was well marked and blocked off by local PD and volunteers, and was very wide. The race was large (3,000?) but did not feel crowded on the first 3 miles like many races that have been overbooked since the pandemic. Would definitely do this race again in 2026.

Swag/Food: Race ran out of shirts at the pre-registration event in my size. What’s the point of telling officials your size if they run out? I registered 5 months in advance for a reason…but did have a “bonus” shirt (long sleeve) given which was of proper size and quantity. Free pizzas and other foods available, and vendors for alcohol if that’s what you’re into. Very cool finisher medal too in the shape of the state for the “me” wall…

Organization: The pre-race registration was at a local college/school gymnasium and had great vendors, food truck, and things to do. The day of organization was good with parking guides throughout. Be warned: you will have to hoof it pretty far to get to the stalls, and stalls were provided right near the start/finish line which is a hike from parking. Arrive early. Local grocery store is open for bathroom calls but the line will be long.

Good Summer Race.
Strava Time to 13.1: 2:10; Course Time: 2:14
The Course: The course was very good. The reviews on this race for previous years say it was very hot. It was not that hot in 2025, barring the mile 8-9 which is through Stonehill athletic fields before the final stretch. Even if it was hot, 90% of the course was well covered by foliage and trees, so not bad. Many locals also had lawn sprinklers out for runners to cool off. The hills were gentle and rolling, I would not try to PR on this course. Notably, one hill on the final mile or so separated the pack; and a slightly less killer one at Mile 7 which smartly had an aid station to take advantage of to refuel around the halfway point. No gels available, so if you use em, bring your own. This is a lollipop race format. Starts on gravel/dirt, and there were 1700 folks (sold out) this year, so be careful for first two miles (I felt like I was a cattle on a cattle run shoulder to shoulder for 2 miles), and many big New England rocks in the path, so keep an eye out. Other than that, all paved roads and neighborhoods, a few bridges/cause-way like things, and good scenery. Police and volunteers were excellent road guards, funny to watch the people in their cars scowling, ha. STAY inside the cones where there are not police officers. Big Benz zipped by me at 40 MPH and scared me, glad I stayed inside the cones…On the final stretch, you run through Stonehill College, and the crowd control was so-so, many people cutting in front of runners. I’m not trying to place, but still. My Strava told me I ran 13.50, so either my Strava is off or the course is a bit long. Probably the former. Overall, good course!!

The Admin: They had dorms available to use the night before the race at a very reasonable $80. I did not take advantage of that but should have. Race STARTS at 0730 but actually started closer to 0750. There is one way into the college for the race, so they’re not joking when they say get to the college no later than 0630 (I arrived shortly after and everything was fine, plenty of time to get ready/use the portas). The course lets your buddy pick up packets/bibs the day before, which was great; however, no big bottleneck for the same-day pickup from what I could tell, plenty of volunteers. I had a question a few days before and a volunteer/director emailed me back quickly and was super nice. Overall, a well put together race. Was inspirational to see an 82-year young man finish (wow!)

The Swag/After Party Thing: Many local vendors there. I crushed some capri suns, granola bars, and water and laid like a beached whale after finishing. Then you can walk over to the tents where there are vendors offering free swag and food. No waters near the after party area which, I get it, I signed up for a beer race, but I just wanted water and had to back-track to the finish, which was OK. Two beers per participant if you’re into that. The medal was yuge and pretty cool. I bought a sick running hat from a local vendor for my bald head. Technical tee shirt was of quality and well produced. Food (free) from local vendors include grilled cheeses, muffins, acai bowl things, and more.

If my schedule allows it next year, I would plan on doing this race again. A little out of the way from my home in CT, but well-worth the drive. Very well put together and great vibes.

Great time. Good scenery. Running on the Pell Bridge was cool. Very good views throughout. The swag was OK. The shirt faded after awhile. Hilly but it’s New England, not the worst hills ever. Food was not memorable. Would do again!

Secord (or third?) race I ever ran. It was hilly, hard, and humid. Course and medal featured rail road and trains, which was neat. Mostly on bike paths and was the first out-and-back I ever did, mentally crushed. Super hilly. Got lapped by an older man, mostly locals ran this course. Was way outta my league!

I miss 13.1 races! What a road trip!

This was my first half when I was in college. Overall, felt flat to me, not horrific hills. Good swag, good production. Was honestly excited to finish! I hope to run it again!