Constance Lafuente's Staging Area

This was my third year running the HC Charlotte. This review is just for the race day itself, the awards, and the social media following.

First of all, there should be better parking for packet pick up. It’s a mess trying to figure out where to park, and pay for parking- this race is large enough there can be an agreement regarding parking with one of the decks close by.

As a third yr participant, I am awarded something for my continued patronage. I have received nothing and will have to hound someone down for an answer.

Speaking of awards, it’s ridiculous that there’s no awards for top 3 of each age group! Only the top person in each age group is awarded a free registration for the next year- which again, you need to hound them down to get it.

HC social media following is huge! The Charlotte race STILL has not been featured on their IG page and as of this writing it is March 26th.

It’s impossible to get any reply on anything via email. Which is CRAZY bc their communication for everything else is good.

For the course- it’s super hilly Charlotte and there’s no way around it. The 5k course is TOO long, coming at .12 meters (200 meters) too long according to my Garmin And Strava.

A Con is that I felt is important is in the years prior this year was the most lacking in the race hype. Previous years were much more pumped up- many more people cheering on the course.

Last con is the HC volunteers screaming at us to move in the area where we would eat our chocolate.

Pros- lots of giveaways at the finish this year. The pictures are always a treat. The food is always yummy.

Great easy course that is def a PR opportunity. But its only a chip finish and a gun start, so better be up front.

The weather panned out for the better as it was supposed to be raining- but the roads were slick so you needed to be aware. The woods are nice and I am sure it would be lovelier in the spring.

Really liked the camo long sleeve t shirt and the engraved pocket knife if you were top 3. LOVE that there are bathrooms to use. Will likely run this one again.

The Hartness 5k and Half marathon had their work cut out for them this year. The course had to change three times due to the rain that week. Day of race conditions were cold and windy.
Because of the Half going on during the 5k, there were no awards ceremony, but there was gloves awarded for the top 3 in each age group- which was 10 year gaps. You just showed the staff after you finished

The course itself was very pretty, but the last half mile was all uphill. I would not run this race again if that part of the course stayed the same.

Super well put together production my Start2Finish. You pick your color hoodie when you register.
The race was big! 767 people in JUST the 5k ( theres a 10k option aas well)
The course is challenging and both distances start together- there was a quick uphill AND turn around, then the 5k and 10 k split off. There is a large uphill in the first mile and a long downhill, so make sure you know how to run downhill in a crowd! There is another uphill in the last mile and the finish is also on a hill.
There was a TON of krispy creme donuts! hot chocolate and a beer for those of age. The music was bumping and overall a happy vibe!
The awards are prompt! This year it was a very pretty embroidered blanket. And there is a finisher medal as well.
Will sign up again!

This was a lovely rce on a dreary day. The weather had been wet the three days prior, but the race went off without a hitch. Loved the bright green hoodie and complimentary jingle bells!

The course has three or four steep hills, so be ready. The start/end of the course there is a sharp turn on/off the parking lot onto the road or vice versa, so be careful if you have a kick finish.

Medals for top 3 in each category and the were prompt after the race.
Bathrooms!! Indoors!!! Will be competing here again for sure!

This was the inaugural race for Daniel Stowe for its run through the gardens. Being a night race that covered multiple terrains you absolutely need night light gear. The pre race communication was abundant and the parking was great.

Originally there were going to be waves to start the race, which was ditched last minute. Even though the director announced multiple times than fast runners to the front there were still walkers at the start line. They definitely got jostled and hopefully the wave start will happen in the future.

The first 3/4 mile was on pavement and a tight turn around a cone. We veered off into the grass covered in hay which helped, but it had been raining for two days prior and was easy to sink. This part was both lit and unlit, if it was not for my headlight I would not have been able to see. There were some gradual uphills which in the mud was difficult. At one point I ran through a significant puddle that soaked my feet. When the course got to the lit garden though! So beautiful and well maintained and well lit. There was two spots with three steps, and if you are moving quick you need to keep a sharp eye. It was here that me and another running got lost. Twice. The person manning that area wasn’t a huge help getting us back on track, but we saw and heard the announcer at the finish. While I was not going for a PR ( and its impossible to do so on this course) I was trying for a top three spot- and even with the turn arounds I was able to do so.

The awards were very cute medals and were held inside and timely! The T-shirt included was also cute. Another big Bonus was the food trucks and drinks after the race and of course to walk the grounds and see the lights. I would recommend this race to anyone with or without family due to its feel-good nature, fun atmosphere, and to see the lights which are awesome!

They will work out the kinks for next year ( maybe offer a pass to see the lights any day not just the day of the race?) and hopefully will be a better lit path/bigger signs. I will be back for sure!

Registered for this event 6 weeks before race day. Emails were super informative and all pre race day communication was on point. Race day itself was organized with pickup and shirt. DJ was hard to hear and not very hype. Walked over to the start and positioned myself at the front The timing was not explained( there wasn’t a chip mat) -then there was a brief crowd warm up; no count down and then an air horn. Therefore I started my watch late. The course itself was very nice, a few steeper downhills (2) and a very easy uphill grade. The end was a little bit challenging as the course changed from the road,to unpacked gravel, to packed gravel and then pavers so I feel like the unpacked gravel was the point where I felt like I was spinning my wheels. Not a hilly course by any means. There were a few spots where people would cheer and a water station halfway through, although you would need to run on the outside to get to it. The course itself 4/5 for me.

What is upsetting was everything after the finish. The timing pads were oddly spaced out and people kinda just stopped right in the middle past the finish. The water was not right at the finish but in a pavilion further than any race I’ve been to. Then the awards were stated to start at 10 and did not get underway until 10:20. Others and I were trying to use the run the day website and the provided QR code but nothing was there when the site loaded

The results were not available for HOURS and I firmly believe they are incorrect. I received three different times-all slower than my watch which I knew started and ended late. This is upsetting more to me bc I was going for a PR. Now I really only have my watch time to go by and I already know that’s not correct but it’s the only time I can rely on.

Great for families and kids and people who are really in it for the fun and charitable aspect. I’m not sure if the issue is solely run the day timing or the event directors not providing the results or what else.🤷🏼‍♀️

This race is on a airport runway- its flat and fast. If you are looking for a PR this is where you can do it. The scenery is ok, not much to look at and one way on the straightaway was ran into the sun.

The race kicked off late due to the wind pushing back planes from taking off- we also didnt get to see the balloons during due to the same reason.

The medals were given BEFORE the race started which to me is a bummer, and the swag was a screen printed hat. Awards were only for the top finisher in each category and categories were 10 year age increments.

Positive was there is a finisher video which is nice. And the free admission to the balloon festival. If you are planning on going to the festival after the race make sure you have a parking pass!

Pros-Flat and fast course/finisher video
Cons-Swag/organization/race vibe