My Profile

@ConcreteShoes

Ballwin, MO Raving since 2020 50 States hopeful/finisher Active 4 weeks ago

About Me

  • Running club(s):
  • Rave race:

    Deadwood Mickelson Trail Marathon

  • Race that's calling my name:

    Missoula Marathon

  • I run because:

    It gets me out of the house and gives me an excuse to road trip to places I otherwise would probably not visit.

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

Personal Bests (2)

Race Distance Location Date Result
Marathon Las Vegas, NV Nov 3, 2024 3:59:58
Half Marathon Dayton, OH Oct 9, 2016 1:49:02

Future Races (4)

Race Distance Location Date Paid
Marathon Hartford, CT TBD
Half Marathon Midway, KY TBD
Marathon Idaho Falls, ID TBD
Marathon Bath, NY TBD

Past Races (26)

Race Distance Location Date Result My Raves My Performance
Marathon Las Vegas, NV Nov 3, 2024 3:59:58
Marathon Olathe, KS Apr 20, 2024 4:25:59
Marathon Clearwater, FL Jan 29, 2023 4:58:25
Marathon Lincoln, NE May 1, 2022 4:36:12
Marathon Elroy, WI Sep 11, 2021 4:53:39
Marathon Manitou Springs, CO Aug 22, 2021 9:08:55
Marathon Deadwood, SD Jun 3, 2018 4:25:28
Half Marathon Springfield, IL Apr 7, 2018 2:16:36
Marathon Hilton Head, SC Feb 10, 2018 4:55:14
Half Marathon Dayton, OH Oct 9, 2016 1:49:02
Marathon Pittsburgh, PA May 1, 2016 4:40:00
Marathon Des Moines, IA Oct 18, 2015 4:02:00
Half Marathon St. Charles, MO Oct 4, 2015 2:19:45
Marathon Austin, TX Feb 15, 2015 4:48:52
Marathon Baltimore, MD Oct 18, 2014 4:42:03
Marathon Louisville, KY 2013 4:15:00
Marathon Bar Harbor, ME 2013 5:01:33
Marathon Fort Oglethorpe, GA 2012 4:33:05
Half Marathon Indianapolis, IN 2011 2:17:55
Marathon Huntington, WV 2011 4:35:10
Marathon Tulsa, OK 2010 4:38:06
Marathon Big Sur, CA 2008 4:32:41
Marathon St. Louis, MO 2007 4:07:34
Marathon Memphis, TN 2006 4:41:43
Marathon Chicago, IL 2004 4:30:31
Marathon Columbus, OH 1996 4:42:00

My Raves

Great marathon for a PR - this was my personal PR and topped my previous time from nine years ago. Logistics were good with busses out to Red Rock Canyon. … MORE

Great marathon for a PR – this was my personal PR and topped my previous time from nine years ago. Logistics were good with busses out to Red Rock Canyon. As others have mentioned, it was cold and windy at the start area for the marathon. There was minimal shelter as the start was in a parking lot. This is only complaint about the inaugrual experience, and the event can’t control the weather, as everything else went smooth. Host hotel was in a great location for post-race as it was at finish area.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
4
SWAG
3

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

Selected this race as is the closest Kansas race to home, reviews and the Royals were in town this year. - Expo was small but had what you may need … MORE

Selected this race as is the closest Kansas race to home, reviews and the Royals were in town this year.
– Expo was small but had what you may need for gels, extra gear. I was there late day befor the race and had an easy time getting my number and shirt.
– Course was well marked and had some slight hills with the greatest elevation change around mile 15 but overall is relatively flat. Nothing overly scenic about the course.
– Swag: Cotton/polyester t-shirt, large medal of the logo for this year’s race.
– Typical post-race food: bagels, granola bars and I believe they had bananas. They did have an expansive selection of beer – six or seven varieties to choose from. No electrolyte drinks when I finished (around 4:30 for marathon) but I did receive a bottle of water immediately upon crossing finish line and that was appreciated.
– May want to roll dice on other options for a race in Kansas.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
2
SWAG
3

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

Pros: - Clearwater is a lovely destination race in January - Flat, 2x loop course for marathon - Nice medals and shirts - some great views while going over three … MORE

Pros:
– Clearwater is a lovely destination race in January
– Flat, 2x loop course for marathon
– Nice medals and shirts
– some great views while going over three different causeways
Cons:
– won’t be getting much crowd support if you need it
– water stops were understaffed but thank you to those that were there and working feverishly to try and keep pace with the runners
– was a warm run – but it is Florida so it was expected
– narrow running lanes in several spots; fine if running alone but made it tight when in a group. 2nd loop was wide open with some exceptions down the home stretch where runners were relegated to a bike path that was uneven (1/2 asphalt, 1/2 concrete curb)
Other thoughts:
– if I go back to run here again it will be the 1/2 option and be done before it gets too warm
– easy access to ocean to soak sore legs in after your run
– they had a combo medal for those that ran 5K on Saturday and followed with the 1/2 or full on Sunday

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
3
SWAG
3

2 members marked this review helpful. Agree?

This marathon exceeded expectations. Course was a well-planned small/mid-sized city urban run. Lots of neighborhoods, a bike path a turnaround (into the wind) at a park, then finishing on the … MORE

This marathon exceeded expectations. Course was a well-planned small/mid-sized city urban run. Lots of neighborhoods, a bike path a turnaround (into the wind) at a park, then finishing on the University of Nebraska’s campus. The second half had few turns after dropping off the half-marathoners at UN’s Memorial Stadium by hitting the bike path. While the path was concrete, just having to go straight was appreciated as I was nursing a bum ankle. Finish area was well spread out making it easy to move around and find the rest of my party.
– Kudos to the Lincoln Track Club for putting together a top-notch event. They put together a good track from start (being able to hang out in a Cornhusker facility out of the elements) to finish. But I really want to know how you managed to wedge a perfect day (sun, cool but not cold, only slight wind) for running between multiple days of wind and rain.
– Nice swag.
– Well organized pasta dinner (pick your time).
– Lincoln also provides lots of dining options in the Haymarket District.
– Parking is also relatively easy to find in the area.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
2
SWAG
5

2 members marked this review helpful. Agree?

This is a small race that should be a destination race for those seeking a PR. If that is your jam you will probably love this one. This race is … MORE

This is a small race that should be a destination race for those seeking a PR. If that is your jam you will probably love this one. This race is highly supported by the community. Participants receive several coupons from local businesses ranging from a free drink to a movie pass….along with an apple dumpling and beer for post-race. The shirt was also extremely nice.
Pros:
– Great course provided you like it flat and straight. Once out of town the course is out and back on an old railroad line. No turns and I felt like I was running downhill both directions.
– 90% of course is under tree cover so it kept it cool
– Very cool running through the old tunnel
– God bless the volunteers! They were all extremely friendly and supportive. Thank you to all – and there were many and all very supportive.
– Plenty of waterstops. Easy to stay hydrated with the number of stops that were approximately 1.5 miles apart.
– Small field made it easy to run your race and not have to dodge people.
Cons:
– Scenery was a tree-lined trail and an occasional rock outcropping or body of water. I enjoyed it, others may not.
– Maybe getting there? There wasn’t much in options of places to stay other than 10 minutes away in Mauston. The Wisconsin Dells are maybe 45 minutes away.
– The medals are the only ding on ‘swag’ as they were generic with a sticker designating the “Big Apple” Marathon. This is nitpicking as they are nice but small and kept the price of admission for the race low. I will gladly trade off the medal for the awesome shirt.
Overall enjoyed the race as it was well organized and had a good vibe to it. Thank you, Elroy!

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
4

2 members marked this review helpful. Agree?

This truly is a great race. Going in I knew there would be altitude issues, narrow course (it is, afterall, a trail up a mountain), and the uncertainty of having … MORE

This truly is a great race. Going in I knew there would be altitude issues, narrow course (it is, afterall, a trail up a mountain), and the uncertainty of having not run a marathon in over two years due to the Covid experience. When all was said in done I had finished my slowest marathon ever (not unexpected) but also felt like I had a lot left in the tank versus other marathons (totally unexpected). When speaking with someone that had completed the race before they described it as a ‘brisk hike’. That is what it was. The trail is so narrow there were only a few places to pass on the path and at switchbacks you could sneak around people. Was I gassed at the summit? Absolutely. But not near a dizzy or pass-out level. Could I have been faster with better shoes (ie trail shoes) for the downhill? Absolutely. I was also suprised how easy going downhill was regarding oxygen. I just couldn’t get decent footing going downhill on the loose gravel, sand and boulder hopping. The terrain ranged from asphalt to gravel, sand, pine needles and boulders. I knew it was a trail run going in but the need to stop so those going downhill could climb a narrow section of boulders became frustrating to me. Yes, it helped me catch my breath but it also slowed down those slow pokes, finger pointed at me, trying to meeting the cutoff time. Medal and zip-shirt (too thin to be a jacket) were okay. Expo was small but to be expected with limited participants.

Overall, I would recommend as it is a pretty cool feeling getting to the top of Pikes Peak on your own power. Manitou Springs was also a cool town to visit. But it may be better to just do the Ascent so you don’t have to hassle with crossing paths on the way down with other runners.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
5
SWAG
3

2 members marked this review helpful. Agree?

Good logistics with shuttles from hotels to buses that took everybody to start of race. Absolutely loved running this course: point to point on gentle incline first half followed by … MORE

Good logistics with shuttles from hotels to buses that took everybody to start of race. Absolutely loved running this course: point to point on gentle incline first half followed by gentle decline second. All I heard the first half of the run was my feet on the trail and a babbling creek in the distance. Scenery is amazing and this is among most scenic courses I have run. Plenty or tourist stuff to do in and around Deadwood as well with Badlands and Wind Cave NP, Crazy Horse Monument, Mt. Rushmore and Custer State Park nearby. Did rock climbing in Custer State Park with my kids as a bonus. Amazing beauty, amazing race.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
4

2 members marked this review helpful. Agree?

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