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@brooklynmom52

Brooklyn, NY Raving since 2017 Active 6 years, 9 months ago

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My Races

Organize, track & review your races and personal bests here.

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Half Marathon

Marathon

Ultramarathon

(Marathon or Ultra) + Half

Marathon + Ultra

Other

Future Races

Future Races (0)

Race Distance Location Date Paid

Past Races (3)

Race Distance Location Date Result My Raves My Performance
10K New York, NY Jun 10, 2017
Half Marathon Brooklyn, NY May 20, 2017
Half Marathon New York, NY Apr 30, 2017

My Raves

An all women's 10k with a substantial number of walkers and walk/run participants. Nice singlet and medal but there was no XS singlets which is what I needed. Very hot … MORE

An all women’s 10k with a substantial number of walkers and walk/run participants. Nice singlet and medal but there was no XS singlets which is what I needed. Very hot morning out–there should have been water tables at every mile instead of every other mile (which made the tables super congested when you got to one).

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
4
SWAG
4

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A very popular half marathon and the largest in the country (33,000+). This is one of the "5 Borough Series" organized by the NYRR. The race is done in two … MORE

A very popular half marathon and the largest in the country (33,000+). This is one of the “5 Borough Series” organized by the NYRR. The race is done in two “Waves”. The second Wave leaves about an hour after the Wave 1. I don’t think Wave 2 gets as much pomp. But whatever. The start area is well organized and potties are conveniently located adjacent to each corral. Ideal for going immediately before the start! The course is a bit boring…Prospect Park has a few hills but nothing difficult and this takes up the first 7 miles of the race about. The last part of the race is straight down Ocean Parkway–can I say even more boring??? Fans leave after Wave 1 goes by. The course elevation map reads this section as flat, but I believe it runs on a slight incline through mile12. There is also an uphill the last 800 meters, not noted on the course map either. The turn onto the boardwalk is a tiny narrow ramp and so crowded you have to bascially walk it. The last 200 meters on the Boardwalk is kind of cool, but it is very short. The volunteers handing out medals were not too cheerful and there was no one telling you where to go to pick up stuff. The finish was a bit chaotic. Also no one knows directions to the subway! The medal and T-shirt are really cool though! The finisher gear is nice too. Certainly a bucket list half but I don’t think I would run it again. It’s a bit over-hyped. Water and gatorade stations plentiful and one gel station at mile 8. Post race food bag is just water, gatorade, pretzels and a power bar. They handed out apples also. If you are beer drinker you will love this race–seems t o be a big party race.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
3
SWAG
3

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

I decided to run this (a) because I've never done the Shape Half and (2) I needed to get a long training run in. In a nutshell, I would not … MORE

I decided to run this (a) because I’ve never done the Shape Half and (2) I needed to get a long training run in. In a nutshell, I would not be a repeat participant.

Pre-Race: The start corrals were so congested because the long lines of potties were right next to it. Also, non runners were running around with their dogs off their leashes. Just seemed disorganized. No DJ or event music on either! One little speech at the beginning. Not enough.

Course: I’ve been running the loops in Central Park all my life and two full loops is just flat out boring! That lower end loop is awful and always smells like horse poop. Too many park visitors crossing also. Given that the vast majority of runners are recreational for this race, two full loops is also difficult given the hilly terrain of the park. I would vote for a 5 mile loop that includes Harlem Hills and two 4 mile loops using the 102nd and 72nd street transverses. The time will seem to go faster and you eliminate that long incline that takes place on the current course during the 13th mile.

Fee/Amenities: The entry fee was $75 and I’m not sure what you get extra for that-the T-shirt, medal and mylar wrap? At number pick-up your bag contains some samples and coupons of what I consider garbage and one full size Power Bar (wow!).

Overall I just wasn’t impressed with the race and would not do it again.

Added positives: The positives are that it is an all women event so there is a feeling of camaraderie and female empowerment! Central Park is a great place to run regardless of the loops especially for out of towners. Water and Gatorade stations well placed as were potties along the course. Overall, a decent race for women. Possibly consider organizing a parallel shorter distance or walk run staggered with the half-distance.

DIFFICULTY
5
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
3
SWAG
3

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?