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Williamsburg, VA Raving since 2022 50 States hopeful/finisher Active 3 weeks, 3 days ago

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My Races

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Half Marathon

Marathon

Ultramarathon

(Marathon or Ultra) + Half

Marathon + Ultra

Other

Future Races

Personal Bests (2)

Race Distance Location Date Result
Marathon Hartford, CT Oct 14, 2023 4:37:47
8K Williamsburg, VA Dec 4, 2022 42:42

Future Races (0)

Race Distance Location Date Paid

Past Races (8)

Race Distance Location Date Result My Raves My Performance
Marathon Burlington, VT May 26, 2024 5:06:45
Marathon Milwaukee, WI Apr 13, 2024 4:41:45
Marathon Des Moines, IA Mar 16, 2024 5:14:52
Marathon Seattle, WA Nov 26, 2023
Marathon Hartford, CT Oct 14, 2023 4:37:47
Marathon Salt Lake City, UT Apr 22, 2023 5:03:00
8K Williamsburg, VA Dec 4, 2022 42:42
Marathon Manchester, NH Nov 13, 2022 4:46:23

My Raves

A wonderful race to do to get Vermont in if you are trying for 50 states as I am. Logistics are easy as the airport is only a few miles … MORE

A wonderful race to do to get Vermont in if you are trying for 50 states as I am. Logistics are easy as the airport is only a few miles to downtown Burlington. Plenty of motels, Airbnbs and restaurants to choose from. The town is clean and safe, although there are some homeless folks in the area like most cities.
The expo was the best I have attended of the 3 marathons I have done this year. A nice selection of vendors and free samples of items from several venders. I really liked they had a CPR training you could take, just in case you need to use it on another racer.
The two loop course was very nice. It was hillier than I thought, not a lot of elevation gain, but long gradual up hill climbs. Also a bit warm, especially during the 2nd loop. The fan support was much greater than I anticipated and the “cherry on top” was running down Church Street. The neighborhood areas had residents out with water cooling hoses and freeze pops!
Race organization was excellent and a special thank you the bicycle EMT that helped me when I took a fall around mile 19!
The swag was very good with a nice shirt, medal and a runners hat at the end. The finish area had pizza, beer, soda, chocolate milk and snacks. I thought for
sure they would offer Ben and Jerry’s or a maple creamee as they are a local favorites, but they did not.
I really liked this race and highly recommend it.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
4
SWAG
5

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This race had been canceled the previous three years due to Covid and bad weather . They certainly made up for it this year with spectacular weather and a well … MORE

This race had been canceled the previous three years due to Covid and bad weather . They certainly made up for it this year with spectacular weather and a well supported course. The first half route of the marathon was the most scenic part going past beautiful homes that face Lake Michigan. The road surface was mostly asphalt and this route eventually went to an out and back bicycle trail. The second half went more into neighborhoods and on some concrete streets that had a number of cracks and pot holes. The entire route had a few good hills, even one at mile 25! But most of the course was flat.
There was plenty of support along the route with water stations and 3 Gu shot areas. Plenty of volunteers and police support along the course.
The expo was small, but very efficient in getting your bib and swag. It should be noted this was one of the best swag races, giving participants a zippered jacket, a beanie and a zip long sleeve tech shirt! They also provided free race day pictures.
The race finish area was in a park with the usual runner’s type snack food and beer. The medal was nice and they provided a bus to take you back to the start area.
The biggest downside was a 5 hour time cut off for the marathon, somewhat unusual for a marathon of this size. They also gave awards in 10 year age groups instead of the usual 5 year.
The biggest surprise for me was what a great city Milwaukee is to visit! Very clean, friendly and safe as far as I could tell. Tons of restaurants and of course beer.
I would recommend this race!

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
3
SWAG
5

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This was the first time I have been to Des Moines and I was here to get Iowa off my 50 marathon state list. I liked to course very much. … MORE

This was the first time I have been to Des Moines and I was here to get Iowa off my 50 marathon state list. I liked to course very much. It is two loops which around 90% of the race is on a flat smooth asphalt trail. The section that is on the street does have pot holes and cracks. Aid stations were about every two miles. It should be noted that each aid station in addition to water/Gaterade also had Gu Shots.
The race bib pick up was at Fleet Feet. There is no expo. The hoodie was a nice and a big improvement over a t-shirt.
The race started on time and had plenty of volunteers. There was not much crowd support and no music on the course. This race is geared toward runners, so swag and crowds are minimal. That also means minimal fanfare at the end. You get a cookie, 1 beer, a glass and water. They do give you a finisher’s medal, although they are all the same size. ( marathon, half marathon/5k)
Overall I liked this race, with the exception of the wind which really picked up during the second loop. Des Moines is a lovely walkable town!
Logistics were easy with several motels within short walking distance to the start/finish line. There are numerous restaurants in Des Moines and it was a very safe place to just walk around. The airport is about a 15 minute Uber drive to downtown.
I would recommend this race if you are looking for a small town experience and a peaceful paved flat course through parks to run on!

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
2

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The course to race on was less than scenic for the marathon. Instead of running through neighborhoods, the course pretty much stayed on highways. I find it hard to believe … MORE

The course to race on was less than scenic for the marathon. Instead of running through neighborhoods, the course pretty much stayed on highways. I find it hard to believe that that the race director ran this route and thought folks would enjoy running 3 to 4 miles on cement roads under a major highway with nothing to see !
The race started well with excellent weather and the first mile running through the downtown area. Then it turned to highways until you reached the hills of the college area. Eventually the route went around a lake which was flat. The downside was the route was on a bicycle path and at times you shared that path with walkers/dogs/bicycles. Also, there was no entertainment on the course and few spectators. They gave out the smallest heat shield at the end of the race that I have ever seen!
On the positive side, the expo was good. The medal and shirt were excellent and the finish area was inside with seating. Food options were limited at the end. Very friendly volunteers and plenty of water stops on the course.
Although I was disappointed with the course, I did enjoy visiting Seattle and hope they can improve the route for next year.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
1
SWAG
5

4 members marked this review helpful. Agree?

At the announcement before the start, it was stated " we know what we are doing". Well, they certainly do! Everything from the expo, course, support and swag were top … MORE

At the announcement before the start, it was stated ” we know what we are doing”. Well, they certainly do! Everything from the expo, course, support and swag were top shelf . They even had volunteers controlling port-a-pot lines. A feature I like was the bicyclists on the course would ride by offering Gu shots if you needed one. Another nice touch was along the last 100 yards of the race, the course was outlined in mums, pumpkins and corn stalks . Very festive!
There were plenty of water stops and several Gu pick up areas. They even had a candy table at mile 21!
The finish area had plenty to do with numerous tents for charities .
The course was good, although some of the roads had pot holes. There are several hills, but nothing long or steep. The weather was perfect.
The only area that could be improved was the expo, not very many providers.
Finally , logistics were easy. The Capital Hotel is an easy walk to the start/finish line and they were very race day supportive moving up the breakfast time so folks could eat before the race.
I would do this race again!

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
4
SWAG
5

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

Beautiful course with the Rockies in the distance as you run through the city.You start out running up a hill and I was gasping when I reached the stop from … MORE

Beautiful course with the Rockies in the distance as you run through the city.You start out running up a hill and I was gasping when I reached the stop from the altitude. After mile 2 or 3, it is about 4 miles downhill which made my quads sore. There were plenty of aid stations with water, Gator Ade and maybe 3 or 4 Gu stops. It should be noted the Gator Ade was poured into cups from Gator Ade bottles, not a mix, so it was the correct strength!
The expo was a smaller than I expected, but had all of the usual things you would expect. One thing that was different was the IV drip vendor was giving free B-12 injections. Also, the expo is only one day, so it can be crowded.
The course was well marked and had plenty of volunteers. One problem was the condition of the roads in numerous areas with cracks and pot holes.
The race medal and shirt were very nice.
One of the best things about the event was the logistics in Salt Lake City. Getting from the airport to downtown was easy on the Trax train and only $2.50! (($1.25 for us senior citizens) The Trax train was also free for most of the downtown area, so there is no need to rent a car. Salt Lake City is very walkable and had numerous restaurants! If you plan to make it a weekend, keep in mind that many places are closed on Sunday. Best restaurant was the Cooper Onion!
I very much enjoyed this destination race to check Utah off my list and highly recommend it.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
4

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This is a festivive 8K race through Busch Gardens in Williamsburg Va. The course is hilly with some steep but short climbs. The race gets close to 2,000 runners, many … MORE

This is a festivive 8K race through Busch Gardens in Williamsburg Va. The course is hilly with some steep but short climbs. The race gets close to 2,000 runners, many running/walking for fun in costumes. The race swag is awesome with a medal, long sleeve tech shirt, a free admissin ticket to Busch Gardens to be used before May 2023 and a discount ticket to Christmas Town.
The major issue they had this year was no port a pots at the start/finish. Not sure what happened, but is was a major problem. They also cut back on refreshments at the finish, no more hot chocolate! Just bananas, water and packaged cookies. I have done this race 5 times and this was the first time it had problems like that.
Otherwise, this is a fun event to run or walk.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
2
SCENERY
4
SWAG
5

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I did this race to complete NH on my 50 state quest. Logistics were easy with the airport only a few miles away from Manchster and host motel right at … MORE

I did this race to complete NH on my 50 state quest. Logistics were easy with the airport only a few miles away from Manchster and host motel right at the start/finish line. Lots of nice restaurants in easy walking distance.
Race conditions were challenging with cold rain for most of the course.
The race production was good. You can pick up your bib and shirt on race morning. Mile markers were correct and there were plenty of aid stations. The course was nice, although the second half of the marathon was basically an out and back on a bicycle trail. Most of the hills are in the first half. The highlight was a run through a ballpark where they put your image up on the Jumbotron !
Food at the end was minimal and they ran out of hot soup. The shirt was a very nice long sleeve tech shirt and medal was awesome!

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
3
SWAG
4

2 members marked this review helpful. Agree?