Nicholas Hutchinson's Staging Area

This was my third time running this event and each time I find details that will keep me coming back. The city of Fredericksburg really does a great job in supporting this weekend. From pop up aid stations to Jodies being playing on big speakers. All from their homes. Even with the super early start time (minor league baseball game), worked out perfectly due to the heat.

Back to the details. Smooth in and out expo. Easy parking and located in an area with plenty of food options. Raceday parking was too easy. Parking within a mile of the start line made for a nice warmup run/walk. The course fuel and hydration was plentiful. The Marines along the course offering encouraging words and motivation added to the experience.

Overall, this is a Half I would redo countless times.

Ex2 put on a well run event as usual. I’ve ran in their events for the last 5 years. This park is less than 15 mins from my home and couldn’t miss running it again. The trails were in great condition and the weather was perfect. If you looking for good trail running around the DMV area, look no further than EX2 Adventures.

DC really came out with tons of crowd support for this event. This might be my favorite event in the district. It used to be the Army 10Miler. Loved the course and ran this like a long training run. Did this after fasting and love the results and how my body felt. All the cheer zones were different and supported by running clubs within the district. District Running Collective had the best cheer zone by far. I need to get with them for some runs.
Packet pickup, pre and post race was so smooth and setup with the runner in mind. I loved this event and will be running it every year.

Maybe next year I can get the family to run the 5K.

Annapolis events typically have good scenery and crowd support. This run is one of the oldest events in the capital city. Running past the Navy Academy, Main Street and the bridges made this fun for me. The crowd support was good and the pre and post run events are solid.

Ran this event for the second time in the last three years. As usual, Corrigan Sports put on an outstanding event with good swag, expos, pre and post race experience. The course was nice with some slight hills. They even had the Mayor of Baltimore sending off the runners. I’ll be returning again for this run and other Corrigan Sports events.

Fun 5K as step one of the Esprit De Corps Challenge. Quick out and back from the expo area with a slight hill. Well organized and perfect warmup before the expo opened.

Annapolis Running Festival was a well organized event that featured a nice running tour of the state capital. I felt great and didn’t push the pace. I loved running over all the bridges and near the Naval Academy. Fun post race outside Navy Memorial Stadium featuring music, beer and good food.

Philly really came out with the love and energy. The run ranks second on crowd support to the NYC Half. Cold and windy conditions didn’t stop folks for coming out. Love the course and organization. Of course I had a couple beers at mile 5ish.

Maybe next time, I’ll have better planning and not go out the first 3 and some change miles at an 9min mile pace. I felt so cold that I didn’t finish my Patriot Challenge of running the 8K about 35 mins after finishing the half.

That’s state number 11 for me and overall Half of 25.
I will be doing this one again in the future.

Bishops Events= Good trails, nice swag and no stress on logistics. My favorite local runs with the best prices. I love how their events are all over the DMV area. This gets you to run in trails and parks that you would otherwise no run at. I need to get out more with them as this was a much needed relaxed event.

Each runner were given a reminder of what Memorial Day is about. A medal with a name of a fallen troop.

I absolutely loved this course! Mt Vernon to Old Town via the Mt Vernon Trail was a blast! The production was everything you expected and more. Shuttles to the start ran flawlessly and packet pickup at a local running store reminded me why I got into running over 13 years ago. Add this to the many awesome DMV 10Milers. I didn’t stay for the post race party as I had honey-do-lists to complete at the Homefront. Passing on local craft beer is rare for me.

This 10mile running tour of DC has great scenery. The production and logistics was manageable with so many parking and arrival options. I loved running Memorial Bridge and Haines Point. It was a bit crowded at the start even though corrals were used. This will be another annual 10Miler (Baltimore/Annapolis/Army) for me in the DMV area.

Outstanding event by NYRR! My second straight year running this.

I started off way too fast and pushed myself until calf cramps around mile 9 near the United Nations building. I ran the bridge and FDR way too hard with all the inclines. Times Square was a blast and ran that portion with my music off.

This is by far my favorite Half Marathon! The course, production, spectators, and fellow runners (Facebook group is great too).

I’ll be completing my 4 of 6 series to be back next year.

Richmond Half Marathon complete! This was such an overall good event. This run and environment has an Austin Marathon vibe and the neighborhoods came out to support the runners.

From beer, mimosa, whiskey, pickle juice, candy, to everything in between. And yes, I did partake in some of the festivities.

The downhill finish felt great with a big post race party that was too cold with no change of clothes setup.

I may have to add this to the yearly event calendar but have that bag checked with a change of clothes.

NYRR’s 5 Boroughs Series complete. I set a goal at the beginning of the year to finish this series for a guaranteed spot into the NYC Half in March 2024. I felt great and should have had a sub 2:24:00, but couldn’t resist the selfies and photos.

Not only did I complete it but enjoyed each event and the time spent in the Big Apple. The views during this run were second to none!

NYC, see ya in March 2024.

The Bronx 10Miler was another well run event by New York Road Runners.
First time running this event and enjoyed the DJs placed throughout the course. A nice tribute to Hip Hop considering it’s the birthplace & 50th year celebration.

The weather felt great and the Bronx really came out to support the runners. Yankee Stadium served as the backdrop of the start/finish area with local businesses serving coffee, fruit and sandwiches early in the morning.

One more in person NYRR event (Staten Island Half) to guarantee the NYC Half in 2024. Overall, a good weekend for the family and enjoyed the change of pace.

Despite being stung by bee, hornet or wasp at the 1.5Mile mark, a good run on these trails with EX2adventures. Friendly runners and good overall experience. Loved running through the corn fields. Oh yeah, the post race food and drinks are always a plus.

Organization was top notch as usual and the Race Director does an excellent job in communicating via email, social media and prior to all his events.

Rain rain go away…despite the weather I enjoyed the event and NYRR put on another first class run. The crowd support was crazy and featured every genre of music. The hills everyone talked about in Prospect Park was nothing compared to the Hood Hills I run and Rosaryville State Park in Maryland.

Running wise, I felt great and finally figured out my mid-run fueling. I maintained my training pace and clipped more time off from my last Half. I doubt I’ll ever get near my 2:12PR from over 10yrs ago but we can all dream.
Due to the rain, I left and didn’t partake in the post-race festivities.