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@enigma20
Raving since 2018 Boston Marathon finisher, 50 States hopeful/finisher, World Marathon Majors Six Star hopeful/finisher Active 20 hours, 39 minutes agoAbout Me
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 |
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Jack & Jill’s Downhill Marathon & Half | Marathon | Snoqualmie Pass, WA | Jul 28, 2024 | 2:59:29 |
Greater St. Louis Marathon (fka GO! St. Louis Marathon) | Half Marathon | St. Louis, MO | Apr 3, 2022 | 1:26:14 |
Future Races (11)
Race | Distance | Location | Date | Paid |
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Clarence DeMar Marathon & Half Marathon | Half Marathon | Keene, NH | Sep 29, 2024 | ✓ |
Des Moines Marathon | Marathon | Des Moines, IA | Oct 20, 2024 | |
Boston Marathon | Marathon | Hopkinton, MA | Apr 21, 2025 | |
Banff Marathon | Half Marathon | Banff, Canada | TBD | |
Charlotte Covered Bridge 5K, 10K & Half Marathon | Half Marathon | Shelburne, VT | TBD | |
Covered Bridges Half Marathon | Half Marathon | Quechee, VT | TBD | |
Jackson Hole Marathon & Hole Half Marathon | Half Marathon | Jackson Hole, WY | TBD | |
Leaf Peepers Half Marathon & 5K | Half Marathon | Waterbury, VT | TBD | |
Miami Marathon & Half Marathon | Marathon | Miami, FL | TBD | |
Mystic Half Marathon & 10K | Half Marathon | Mystic, CT | TBD | |
New River Gorge Trail Festival Winter Edition | 50K | Fayetteville, WV | TBD |
Past Races (63)
Race | Distance | Location | Date | Result | My Raves | My Performance |
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Jack & Jill’s Downhill Marathon & Half | Marathon | Snoqualmie Pass, WA | Jul 28, 2024 | 2:59:29 |
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Coeur d’Alene Marathon (CDA Marathon) | Marathon | Coeur d\'Alene, ID | May 26, 2024 | 3:06:17 |
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Capital City Half Marathon | Half Marathon | Columbus, OH | Apr 27, 2024 | 1:28:35 |
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Jersey City Marathon & Half | Half Marathon | Jersey City, NJ | Apr 14, 2024 | 1:28:23 |
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Little Rock Marathon | Marathon | Little Rock, AR | Mar 3, 2024 | 3:02:19 |
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Chevron Houston Marathon & Aramco Houston Half Marathon | Marathon | Houston, TX | Jan 14, 2024 | 3:00:02 |
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Williams Route 66 Marathon & Half Marathon | Marathon | Tulsa, OK | Nov 19, 2023 | 2:59:55 |
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Baltimore Running Festival | Half Marathon | Baltimore, MD | Oct 14, 2023 | 1:27:39 |
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Madison Mini Half Marathon & 5K | Half Marathon | Madison, WI | Aug 12, 2023 | 1:28:51 |
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Missoula Marathon | Marathon | Missoula, MT | Jun 25, 2023 | 3:04:46 |
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Fargo Marathon | Marathon | Fargo, ND | May 20, 2023 | 3:02:07 |
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Newport Rhode Races | Half Marathon | Newport, RI | Apr 15, 2023 | 1:26:35 |
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Rock ‘n’ Roll Washington DC | Half Marathon | Washington, DC | Mar 18, 2023 | 1:27:56 |
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Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend | Half Marathon | Birmingham, AL | Feb 12, 2023 | 1:27:44 |
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Rehoboth Beach Seashore Marathon | Half Marathon | Rehoboth Beach, DE | Dec 3, 2022 | 1:31:03 |
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New York City Marathon | Marathon | Staten Island, NY | Nov 6, 2022 | 3:51:05 |
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Berlin Marathon | Marathon | Berlin, Germany | Sep 25, 2022 | 3:13:34 |
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Anchorage RunFest (Humpy’s Marathon & Skinny Raven Half) | Marathon | Anchorage, AK | Aug 21, 2022 | 3:00:27 |
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Grandma’s Marathon & Garry Bjorklund Half | Marathon | Two Harbors, MN | Jun 18, 2022 | 3:03:35 |
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Cleveland Marathon & Half Marathon | Half Marathon | Cleveland, OH | May 22, 2022 | 1:28:32 |
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Greater St. Louis Marathon (fka GO! St. Louis Marathon) | Half Marathon | St Louis, MO | Apr 3, 2022 | 1:26:14 |
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Myrtle Beach Marathon | Half Marathon | Myrtle Beach, SC | Mar 5, 2022 | 1:27:00 |
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Atlanta Marathon & Half Marathon | Half Marathon | Hampton, GA | Feb 27, 2022 | 1:28:31 |
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Tucson Marathon (1969–2021) | Marathon | Oracle, AZ | Dec 4, 2021 | 3:13:51 |
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Indianapolis Monumental Marathon | Half Marathon | Indianapolis, IN | Nov 6, 2021 | 1:26:17 |
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Colorado Marathon | Marathon | Fort Collins, CO | Oct 24, 2021 | 3:11:29 |
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Rock ‘n’ Roll Virginia Beach | Half Marathon | Virginia Beach, VA | Sep 5, 2021 | 1:27:22 |
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Lincoln Marathon & Half Marathon | Half Marathon | Lincoln, NE | May 2, 2021 | 1:35:14 |
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Eisenhower Marathon | Half Marathon | Abilene, KS | May 1, 2021 | 1:29:40 |
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Run the Alamo Marathon & 13.1 Half | Half Marathon | San Antonio, TX | Apr 11, 2021 | 1:29:44 |
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Marathon of the Treasure Coast | Half Marathon | Stuart, FL | Mar 7, 2021 | 1:31:48 |
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Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon | Marathon | Pass Christian, MS | Dec 13, 2020 | 3:28:47 |
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Louisville Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K | Half Marathon | Louisville, KY | Nov 8, 2020 | 1:30:53 |
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Antelope Island Marathon | Marathon | Syracuse, UT | Oct 10, 2020 | 3:41:32 |
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Maui Oceanfront Marathon | Half Marathon | Lahaina, HI | Jan 19, 2020 | 1:26:20 |
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Bank of America Chicago Marathon | Marathon | Chicago, IL | Oct 13, 2019 | 3:07:42 |
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Santa Fe Thunder Half Marathon | Half Marathon | Santa Fe, NM | Sep 15, 2019 | 1:27:13 |
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Emerald City Half Marathon | Half Marathon | Dublin, OH | Aug 25, 2019 | 1:27:25 |
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Big Sur International Marathon | Marathon | Big Sur, CA | Apr 28, 2019 | 3:14:11 |
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Boston Marathon | Marathon | Hopkinton, MA | Apr 15, 2019 | 3:22:49 |
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Nashville Marathon & 1/2 Marathon | Half Marathon | Nashville, TN | Nov 10, 2018 | 1:29:20 |
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St. George Marathon | Marathon | St George, UT | Oct 6, 2018 | 3:06:35 |
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Air Force Marathon | Half Marathon | Wright-Patterson AFB, OH | Sep 15, 2018 | 1:35:33 |
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Erie Marathon at Presque Isle | Marathon | Erie, PA | Sep 9, 2018 | 3:04:47 |
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Deckers Creek Trail Half Marathon | Half Marathon | Morgantown, WV | Jun 2, 2018 | 1:32:42 |
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Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon | Half Marathon | Cincinnati, OH | May 6, 2018 | 1:33:09 | ||
Athens Ohio Marathon | Marathon | Athens, OH | Apr 15, 2018 | 3:35:53 | ||
Three Creeks Half Marathon (OH) | Half Marathon | Columbus, OH | Mar 24, 2018 | 1:33:48 |
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Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans | Half Marathon | New Orleans, LA | Mar 4, 2018 | 1:32:43 |
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Columbus Marathon & Half Marathon | Marathon | Columbus, OH | Oct 15, 2017 | 3:44:51 |
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Eugene Marathon | Marathon | Eugene, OR | May 7, 2017 | 3:21:29 | ||
Martian Invasion of Races | Half Marathon | Dearborn, MI | Apr 22, 2017 | 1:30:05 | ||
Athens Ohio Marathon | Half Marathon | Athens, OH | Apr 9, 2017 | 1:30:22 | ||
Lake Mead Marathon | Half Marathon | Boulder City, NV | Jan 14, 2017 | 1:35:37 | ||
Fall Into Winter Half Marathon and 10K | Half Marathon | Granville, OH | Nov 5, 2016 | 1:33:09 | ||
Hershey Half Marathon | Half Marathon | Hershey, PA | Oct 16, 2016 | 1:32:06 | ||
Run Crazy Horse | Half Marathon | Crazy Horse, SD | Oct 9, 2016 | 1:32:26 | ||
Maine Coast Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K | Marathon | Kennebunk, ME | May 15, 2016 | 3:24:43 | ||
Capital City Half Marathon | Half Marathon | Columbus, OH | Apr 30, 2016 | 1:35:24 | ||
Outer Banks Marathon & Southern Fried Half Marathon | Half Marathon | Kitty Hawk, NC | Nov 8, 2015 | 1:35:25 | ||
Columbus Marathon & Half Marathon | Half Marathon | Columbus, OH | Oct 18, 2015 | 1:34:35 | ||
Capital City Half Marathon | Half Marathon | Columbus, OH | May 2, 2015 | 1:37:46 | ||
Emerald City Half Marathon | Half Marathon | Dublin, OH | Aug 24, 2014 | 1:42:30 |
Jack & Jill’s Downhill Marathon & Half
A paradox, both easy and hard
Jack & Jill’s Downhill Marathon & Half
I contend that there is no such thing as an easy marathon, but some courses are easier than others. The downhill was great and kept me going, however, the gravel … MORE
I contend that there is no such thing as an easy marathon, but some courses are easier than others. The downhill was great and kept me going, however, the gravel trail gave me some issues. I wore Nike Vaporfly and might not have been the best choice for a dirt/gravel trail.
There is a race on Sat and Sun. I did the race on Sunday and had to pick up my race packet on Sat. The pickup is only from 3-7 and takes place at a local running company. There was a little bit of a wait, but nothing too extreme.
The race starts at 6 in Hyak and follows the Palouse to Cascades Trail for most of the race. After about half a mile, you enter the Snoqualmie Tunnel. You will need a light for this part and there is a drop at the end of the 2 mile tunnel for your light. It was an unusual experience. Be sure to watch for potholes. The trail was dirt and gravel. I did not prepare properly to run on this surface. My ankles and stabilizer muscles were feeling it pretty early. The weather was great. It was in the 50s for most of it and foggy. The scenery was great, although sometimes obscured by the fog. The couple of bridges that you cross are cool as well.
The aid stations are 2 to 2.5 miles apart. The 1st one isn’t until about mile 5. The race finish had a few of the usual goodies, nothing over the top. The race announcer, announcer all the finishers name and if you hit a BQ. Sunday’s race had about 700 finishers. Overall, it is a great race. The downhill is very fast, but the gravel trail slowed my a little. I still managed a 26 sec PR.
Coeur d’Alene Marathon (CDA Marathon)
Great lake views, with a few hills
Coeur d’Alene Marathon (CDA Marathon)
Most of the course was very pretty. A good portion of the race follows the Northern Idaho Centennial Trail with a couple out and back portions. The packet pickup was … MORE
Most of the course was very pretty. A good portion of the race follows the Northern Idaho Centennial Trail with a couple out and back portions.
The packet pickup was only offered on the Saturday before the race at McEuen Park. The line for the bibs was long, but it moved quickly. Not many merchants there, but they did sell some race specific glasses, etc.
The full started at 6:30 and the half at 7:00 near the park. Parking didn’t seem to be a problem, but you have to pay using a pay using an app. Make sure to add enough time, because they were out giving tickets.
The full followed the trail south for 8 miles along the lake before turning around and taking the same trail back to the park. There were a couple significant hills in this section. Once back to the park, it was rather chaotic. You go by the finish line and several races were occurring at the same time. I was hoping that I was going the right way. After passing the finish, there is another10 mile out and back. This section is a little boring. There are not as many good lake views and you share the trail with the other race distances. The trail was a little congested in some places. There is another climb as well until you get to the turnaround point just after mile 21. The finish is back in the park. They offered pizza, bananas, and a few of the other usual fares at the finish. The shirt was long-sleeved, but a good material for running. I liked the color. The medal was also nice a represented the area. The top finisher in each age group also received a pint glass. I didn’t like the
confusion around the park and some of the congested parts, but overall, it was a pretty race with some challenging areas. Luckily, I had sunny skies with a bit of a head wind at times, but temps in the mid to upper 40s.
Capital City Half Marathon
Hometown race w/ great after party
Capital City Half Marathon
After several years of watching, I decided to run again. This is a hometown race and was one of my first of many half marathons. The race packet pickup was … MORE
After several years of watching, I decided to run again. This is a hometown race and was one of my first of many half marathons.
The race packet pickup was at a new location this year. I went on Friday during my lunch. It seems like everyone else had the same idea I had. The parking lot was tight and was pretty full. There were volunteers that were helpful in directing participants to open spots. Once inside, it went quickly. I just wasn’t a fan of the location, but the parking was free.
The half and quarter marathons started together at 8. The 5K started a half hour later. The corrals were wide and I didn’t feel like I was going to be trampled, and I was able to get into a comfortable pace early. That was not the case in my race two weeks before.
It was a little warmer than I’d like for a race, but it was good for spectators. I was impressed by the amount of people out watching. I knew a lot of people due to various running clubs that I’ve attended over the years. It made it a little more fun in that respect since I usually do out of town races. There seemed to be plenty of fluid stations. It was a nice tour of some of the Columbus neighborhoods with a loop around Ohio Stadium (the Shoe). I don’t recall much on course entertainment.
The end had all the usual fare, nothing special. It’s the after party that is the main attraction. Your friends and family can reunite with you at the Columbus Commons where you can get your pizza slice and several different adult beverages. They have a live band and the party goes until 1.
The shirt was nice, but not one I will run in since it’s just a cotton t and not a good wicker. The medal was large and had a nice design. The tracking app was also one of the better ones. I tracked several people and it is pretty accurate. The only negative is that they gear check did lose my friend’s bag. Luckily, after several hours, she did get it back.
Overall, I would recommend this race if you need a spring half in Ohio. It probably gets a little overlooked because it’s just a week before the Flying Pig.
Jersey City Marathon & Half
Nothing remarkable
Jersey City Marathon & Half
It was an ok race, but nothing really stood out. I don't always pay attention to the entire course, but I usually remember some things. I really don't remember anything … MORE
It was an ok race, but nothing really stood out. I don’t always pay attention to the entire course, but I usually remember some things. I really don’t remember anything about the course or race.
The expo and packet pickup were in a hotel. It was a convenient location based on where I was staying, but it was very narrow where the vendors were and the line to pick up the bib and shirt. The expo was pretty basic. Not a big deal to me, but I thought there would be more based on the size of the race and location.
The race started close to 7. I was in the 6-7 min/mile corral and it was very congested the first few miles. I had a hard time getting settled into a good pace. There were a decent amount of spectators, but I didn’t see any water or any of the NY skyline. The course was just a little boring.
I didn’t use any water stops, so I didn’t pay attention to how many there were. The finish had a few refreshments and food items. They need to give bags to carry everything. It wasn’t a bad race, but it was just ok.
The medal was ok and the shirt was a nice material, but an ugly color. It reminded me of the uniforms from the movie Dodgeball.
Little Rock Marathon
Little Rocked it
Little Rock Marathon
They boast about having one of the largest finisher medals, and they didn't disappoint. When they placed it around my neck at the finish, I thought it was going to … MORE
They boast about having one of the largest finisher medals, and they didn’t disappoint. When they placed it around my neck at the finish, I thought it was going to pull me down.
The expo was at the convention center and was within walking distance of my hotel. It was quick and easy to pick up the race pack. They had all of the usual options as well as some race specific items such as hats, mugs and shot glasses. It was nice to see something different.
Due to a hot forecast, the race time was moved from 8 am to 6 am. It didn’t get as hot as predicted, but I appreciated the earlier start time. It was very humid, but the temp stayed manageable in the mid 50s most of the time and cloudy.
The race started behind the convention center. It’s nice that there was a good option to stay out of the elements until start time if the weather had been unfavorable. The lines for the indoor restrooms were long, but there were additional facilities outside. Luckily, I didn’t need to use any of them.
The half and full marathons started together and were corralled based on predicted finish time. I had to provide a time to be able to get into B. Everything started right on time and the congestion was minimal.
The course had plenty of fluid stations and was a nice tour of the city and surrounding areas. The areas where the half and full marathoners diverged was well marked. There was no doubt where I needed to go. There are definitely some hills. The total gain wasn’t a lot, but it’s where the hills are that made it challenging. The worst section is miles 15-18. There is an out and back section that seems like it lasts forever before heading back towards town.
The finish had beer, chocolate milk, water in a reusable bottle and a few food options. They were offering pasta, but there was no way I would be able to eat that after a marathon.
As stated before, the medal was huge and on theme. It dwarfs the rest of my medals. If you hang it, make sure you hit a stud on the wall. The shirt was nice as well.
One thing that I appreciated was a nice place for spectators to wait. There were some breakfast options available nearby and they were able to wait inside the convention center until close to my anticipated finish time.
Overall, it was a well done race.
Chevron Houston Marathon & Aramco Houston Half Marathon
Flat, fast tour of The Bayou City
Chevron Houston Marathon & Aramco Houston Half Marathon
There were over 20K finishers combined between the half and full marathons. So, it is a pretty good sized marathon. You need to schedule an approximate time to pick up … MORE
There were over 20K finishers combined between the half and full marathons. So, it is a pretty good sized marathon. You need to schedule an approximate time to pick up your race pack and visit the expo to help keep it from getting too busy at any one time. The expo was at the convention center. It was quick and easy to pick up the bib. The expo, however, was very crowded despite the scheduled pick up times. It seemed like there was not enough space and was very difficult to get around. I didn’t spend much time there. You do not get your race shirt until after you finish your race.
You had to submit a previous race time if you wanted to be in Corral A. I was surprised what a wide range of paces there were within the A corral. Luckily, there were pace groups which helped me know about where I should line up. There are a lot of elite athletes that run Houston and I knew I did not belong with them. I also did not want to be dodging people.
The half and full marathons started together at 7:01. It was a little windy, but otherwise perfect running weather.
The route is a big circle and ends close to the start. You’ll run by Rice University and get a good tour of some of the neighborhoods. The streets are in good shape and the only real hill comes in the form of an overpass just before halfway. You go through a couple tunnels with music which is a little trippy. There were plenty of fluid stations and a decent amount of spectators. It wasn’t lined 3 deep, and was sparse in some places, but some people were out watching, especially near the end.
The only complaint I had about the race was the end. The half and full runners come together near the end and finish together. Just past the finish line, everything narrows. There were lines to get the finisher medal and then everyone is herded together and funneled into the convention center to pick up their shirt. This was such a bottleneck and people were just standing there. It was very annoying. I just wanted to keep moving. Make sure you have a plan and a place to meet any family or friends as well. It was rather chaotic and very busy in the convention center.
The shirt was nice, but seemed to run a little small. Medal was also nice and featured the tunnel that we ran through. Overall, it was a worthwhile race.
Williams Route 66 Marathon & Half Marathon
Got my kicks & PR on Route 66
Williams Route 66 Marathon & Half Marathon
Your preconceptions about Oklahoma might be wrong. It is not as flat as most imagine. The expo was your typical expo. There were several vendors handing out samples and selling … MORE
Your preconceptions about Oklahoma might be wrong. It is not as flat as most imagine.
The expo was your typical expo. There were several vendors handing out samples and selling any gels or other items that you might have forgotten. The bib and shirt pickup were quick and easy.
I stayed within walking distance to the start, which always helps relieve some of the stress of race day. It was a wet start. Fortunately, there were corrals for the start which helped alleviate some of the early weaving. The half and the full start at 8 with a gun shot and lots of confetti.
The rain let up soon after the start, but I was already soaked and there were puddles everywhere. The half and full share the course for about 11 miles. The split off is pretty well marked, and there is a volunteer directing runners as well.
The first 6-7 miles have a lot of rolling hills through some nice neighborhoods. The neighborhood was lively with some entertainment and looks of spectators. You eventually move to the trail for an out and back for several miles. Most of this area was fairly flat. There were still some spectators scattered around. Around 17 miles, you leave the trail and are back on roads. This is a slow climb for the next 3 miles with a couple bigger hills in there. Once you get past mile 20, you hit the University of Tulsa and then head towards downtown. This are was completely dead. There were no spectators anywhere. I was on a 4 lane roads with no one behind me or in front of me that I could see. It was almost a little eerie. The last few miles are a gentle downhill with a few rollers mixed in. Enough up hill to make your legs cry.
The course was a little long according to my watch. Much to my surprise, I was on target to finish close to 3 hours. My goal for a long time was to break 3 hours. I knew it was going to be close and I gave it everything I had. I turned the final corner and saw the clock ticking up. I emptied the tank and finished just 5 seconds under 3 hours. Despite the hills and occasional rain, I was able to hit my ultimate goal.
I knew the course was going to be challenging. I’m glad I didn’t let it intimidate me. I didn’t notice where the center of the universe detour was. I didn’t even remember about it until I was asked about it later. The full and half meet up again with about 1/4 of a mile to go, but they have separate lanes to the finish.
The finish had some of the usual fare, bananas, orange slices, lots of drinks and pizza slices. The course itself had several drink stations and were spaced out well. The race shirt was nice and the medal was large. It will go nicely with the rest of my collection.
I thought the race was very good, but I couldn’t believe how lonely the last few miles were. That’s when the cheers are needed the most. Overall, Tulsa was a nice city.
Baltimore Running Festival
Hilly and wet tour of Charm City
Baltimore Running Festival
Although I probably wouldn't describe the town as charming. The race expo was at the convention center and had some of the usual gear and nutrition vendors, but it had … MORE
Although I probably wouldn’t describe the town as charming.
The race expo was at the convention center and had some of the usual gear and nutrition vendors, but it had a lot of race related memorabilia as well. The packet pick up was quick and easy. There was an option for everything to be mailed as well for a fee. It’s a nice option for those arriving late or those that don’t want to attend the expo.
One of the oddities of this race were the start times. The full marathon started at 8:00 from Camden Yards. The half started at 9:45 and was around the half-way point of the full marathon. They had a separate lane to pass through, but it added to the chaos a bit. There were no corrals for the half or pacers, so runners were to line up according to projected pace. Inevitably, you had a hand full of 2 hour runners near the front that needed to be dodged. It rained off and on throughout the race. You can’t control the weather, but I’ll take the rain over heat any day.
The start seemed a little disorganized. I couldn’t hear the national anthem, nor any count down to the start. Suddenly when it was time to start, people just started running.
The first several miles of the course are the toughest. There is a lot of up hill, it levels out a bit and then the last 3 miles are mostly downhill. You go through a lot of neighborhoods and finish at the inner harbor. Considering the weather, there were a lot of spectators along the course cheering you on.
There appeared to be plenty of aid stations offering water and sports drinks. I brought my own hydration and didn’t try anything on course. It looked like there were some gels as well as oranges and bananas.
The finish line had plenty of fare including apples, bananas, veggie chips, nutrigrain bars and gatorade. The medals were given out by the local police. Overall, it was a good race. The medal was a crab that opened to reveal the USS Constellation. It was cool and unique. The shirt was a nice, long-sleeved UA shirt, but it was a little plain. The inner harbor is a nice area and has stuff to do, but I wouldn’t venture too far away from that area.
Madison Mini Half Marathon & 5K
Humid, hilly run through the heart of UW
Madison Mini Half Marathon & 5K
I was a Buckeye running through Badger country. I had to wear my OSU shirt for this race. I didn't have any boos. I drove in on Friday and went … MORE
I was a Buckeye running through Badger country. I had to wear my OSU shirt for this race. I didn’t have any boos.
I drove in on Friday and went right to the bib pick-up. It was at a Lexus dealership outside of town. It wasn’t really close to anything. It was an odd place to have it in my opinion. There was no expo at all, you just picked up your bib and shirt.
The race started at 7:00 on Saturday morning near downtown. There were plenty of parking garages, but there was a little bit of a line getting into them. So, plan accordingly. Someone else was driving, so I was able to just jump out and head towards the start.
There were no corrals, so you had to line up with a pacer that was going your projected pace. There was a 5K as well, but it started 15 minutes after the half.
The course is circular and goes through part of the UW campus and around 2 of the 5 lakes in Madison. There is a lot of shade along the course. You travel along city streets, a trail and a street through the woods on close to the Arboretum. I saw a yard with several wild turkeys in that area. There was decent crowd support along the way at least in some areas. There appeared to be plenty of aid stations along the way as well. Madison has some rolling hills. The worst was the last mile. At this time you were in the full sun and it was a pretty good incline for about half a mile. From about mile 12.5 to the finish was a nice downhill. Make sure to save a little reserves for that last mile.
Just the basics at the end of the race. There were bananas, chips, granola and clif bars as well as water. The race medal was nice, but it appeared to be the same one as the 5K.
You never know what the weather might be in Aug. It was in the 60’s with over 90% humidity. Luckily, there was a decent amount of shade along the course. All of the race photos were available to download for free.
Missoula Marathon 🏆
Countryside and rivers
Missoula Marathon 🏆
Scenic run from Frenchtown to Missoula. I picked up my race pack on Friday evening. The area was rather congested at the time and it was difficult to find a … MORE
Scenic run from Frenchtown to Missoula. I picked up my race pack on Friday evening. The area was rather congested at the time and it was difficult to find a parking spot. I was back in the area on Saturday, and it seemed to be less busy in the area. So, that might be a better day to attend the expo. The expo wasn’t too big, but had a few vendors. I usually just go to pick up my pack and don’t spend much time at the expos.
Race morning starts early. The bus pick up run from 4:15-5:15. It was good to have an early start, because it can get hot in Montana in June. The transition to the start line was smooth and everything was marked well since the half and full were picked up at the same place. The start line had a lot of port-a-johns. It looked like there was coffee and water available. The race started promptly at 6 with fireworks. There were pacers for several times starting at 3:00.
The first part of the course goes through a lot of farmland. There are horses watching as you run by. It’s funny how curious they seemed about all the people running on two legs. You cross over a river with a beautiful view. A lot of the course was very scenic. The last few miles as you head into town, are in residential areas and not quite as scenic, but there are a lot of people out cheering.
The course is fairly flat, but is net uphill. There is a sizable hill just after the halfway point. That hill wrecked my race a bit. The elevation for the course is between 3000-3200′. The sun in Montana can be pretty intense. Luckily, there was come cloud coverage and some shaded areas.
There were plenty of water stations and I believe each had port-a-johns. I generally only notice if I need one. The volunteers were great and cheered for all the runners. The course was marked well. Spectators were out in the more populated areas, but there were a lot of areas where it was just you and nature.
The finish line was in town on a bridge over the Clark Fork River. There’s a lot happening in that area and is worth checking out. People were surfing in the river. The finish line is also near Mary’s Mountain Cookies, which I highly recommend. There were some different food options at the finish which included a vegan option. I usually have to wait a little while after a hard run before I can eat, so I didn’t have anything.
The finisher medal was large and the shirt was nice. Overall, this was a very nice marathon in a beautiful area. I traveled to Glacier afterwards and highly recommend exploring more of Montana.
Fargo Marathon
uff da! That's a lot of turns
Fargo Marathon
If you are a 50 state runner, there are not many choices in North Dakota. Luckily, this is a good race. The race expo is a two day event. I … MORE
If you are a 50 state runner, there are not many choices in North Dakota. Luckily, this is a good race.
The race expo is a two day event. I was there as soon as it opened, so there was a little bit of a line, but it moved quickly. There were a few vendors and it’s a chance to look at the Fargo Dome. They had hand towels on the way out the door. This was an important pick-up as I’ll explain later.
Race day starts in the dome. This is a great place for a race start due to the restrooms and in case of poor weather. It’s also nice for non-running family members. They are able to sit in the stands and wait and the concession stands are open as well.
There are 3 distances running at once, 10K, half and full marathon. Each one has it’s own start time and each course differs slightly. There are no corrals, but there are pacers where runners should align themselves. Of course there are those at the front that go out at a 9 min pace.
The course is mostly flat. There are a couple underpasses and a bridge, but the overall gain was less than 400 feet. You travel through a lot of neighborhoods, around a park and through Moorhead College. About 4 of those miles are in Minnesota. The only issue, it that there are a lot of turns which can slow the momentum at times. Luckily, most areas are well marked and there are volunteers there to help. There were a few places that were a little lonely, but the college and neighborhoods had pretty good support. Family’s were out cheering for random strangers and was like a block party.
There seemed to be a good amount of fluid stations offering water and powerade. There was at least one Gu station and orange slices. I didn’t notice many port-a-johns along the way, but you generally only notice if you need one. Luckily, I did not need one.
The weather was good. It sounds like you can get just about anything in Fargo this time of the year. It was a little warm for me by the end, mid-sixties, with lots of sun and a moderate breeze.
Runners finish inside the dome with a video of themselves on the big screen. The DJ announces your name and where you’re from. There were donuts and some other snacks at the end. Parking and getting into/out of the dome were pretty easy. They do also offer a shuttle service.
Runners receive a nice sweatshirt, backpack and a decent sized medal. Overall, it was a good race experience.
Newport Rhode Races
Mansions and water
Newport Rhode Races
I really enjoyed this race. It seemed like the early miles went quickly. There were some rolling hills throughout the course, the largest being in the first mile, but nothing … MORE
I really enjoyed this race. It seemed like the early miles went quickly. There were some rolling hills throughout the course, the largest being in the first mile, but nothing too bad. The race is about as sea level as it gets. The course ran along the outside of Newport which provided occasional views of the bay. You travel through various quiet neighborhoods throughout and pass some of the famous mansions as well as Salve Regina University. I enjoyed the course. There seemed to be something interesting throughout most of the course which helped occupy my mind. The roads were in good shape and there was generally plenty of room. The full marathon started 30 minutes prior to the half, so you would have a lot of the back of the packers that you had to pass. It wasn’t a problem most of the time, but some liked to walk 3 wide. I do get a bit of a rush when I pass someone. There were plenty of water stops along the way and I believe there was gel as well. Spectators were sporadic, with the majority around the start/finish line. There were pacers, but no corrals. Runners are supposed to line up based on their projected pace. We all know there are always a few that go to the front and shouldn’t. The only negative was the end. It was along the boardwalk, which was open to the public and people did not respect or were not aware of the runners coming through.
The expo was small and basic. They did have a few items for sale, but everything was seamless. The shirt and medal were nice. The finish area had the usual bananas, water and snacks, but also provided pizza. I can’t eat much right after a hard run though. They provided Sam Adams to those over 21 as well. It was a smooth operation, but for Pete’s sake, stay off the sand dunes.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Washington DC
Cherry blossoms and monuments
Rock ‘n’ Roll Washington DC
Although the race didn't pass by all of the monuments, it was a cool way to see some of the city. The race expo and bib pickup were at the … MORE
Although the race didn’t pass by all of the monuments, it was a cool way to see some of the city.
The race expo and bib pickup were at the convention center. They had a few vendors and RnR had a lot of gear and other items for sale. No issues getting my bib and everything went smoothly. I stayed in a hotel that was within walking distance to everything, so I didn’t have to worry about parking on race morning.
This was a big race with over 10K finishers for the half. The race didn’t start until 8. Luckily, there were corrals organized according to your estimated finish time that you provided. There seemed to be a little confusion with the start. I believe the elites had their own start, but it wasn’t obvious that was going to happen and they held the rest of us up. The course was well marked and scenic. You ran past the Washington Monument, Kennedy center, over a bridge and through some neighborhoods before finishing close to the capitol building. The course had some rolling hills throughout, but there was a killer about 7.5 miles in. I was having a great race up until that point. There was a little wind, but otherwise, the weather was ideal for running. The course was a little long as well. My watch had 13.38.
There was a decent amount of treats at the end, but nothing that stood out. I did not attend the after party, so I don’t know how that was. I believe there was a free beer to those over 21.
The shirt and medal were nice. Even though this was not a new state, it was an enjoyable race and I would suggest it.
Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend
The end
Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend
Well, it was the last time this race will be run. It was a good race, but probably could have used some improvements. The expo and bib pickup were at … MORE
Well, it was the last time this race will be run.
It was a good race, but probably could have used some improvements.
The expo and bib pickup were at the convention center. I happened to go on Saturday and there were a lot of other things going on at the time. The cost of all the parking around the area was expensive due to other events. I was able to find a spot about half a mile away that was free. There were a few vendors there and bib pickup was quick and easy.
The shirt was a long-sleeved cotton shirt that I might wear, but not for running.
Race morning was nice and early. I’m not sure about parking because I stayed close enough to jog to the start. There were no pace groups or corrals. It’s not a problem if people would start where they should. When you line up in the front and are running 9-10 minute miles, you are in the wrong place. It’s frustrating and creates a lot more problems for those of us that position ourselves appropriately.
The course was a nice tour of the city. There were some rolling hills early, but some nice flat areas to pick up the pace later in the race.
The medal was really nice. I like the Mercedes emblem on the front. There was not a lot of food at the end, but they gave out towels and socks. The rain stopped a little before the start. Other than a little wind, the conditions were favorable for running.
I didn’t attend the after party, so I don’t have any comments. It was overall a decent race. It’s unfortunate that it will be discontinued.
Rehoboth Beach Seashore Marathon
Flat, scenic course in the 1st state
Rehoboth Beach Seashore Marathon
I'm sure it would have been more enjoyable in better weather. After the 1st couple of miles, the rain started to fall. Along with double digit wind, it took a … MORE
I’m sure it would have been more enjoyable in better weather. After the 1st couple of miles, the rain started to fall. Along with double digit wind, it took a little something away from the experience.
The packet pickup was quick and easy. There was a large tent near the Rehoboth Beach Running Company. There were a few items for sale, but the event mostly just consisted of the bib and shirt pickup. The shirts are Brooks and high quality, but they run a little small. The pickup lasted until 8 and they have race day pickup as well. It makes it convenient for all those coming from out of town.
The race started downtown at the bandstand. It was a little congested at the start, but spread out within the first mile. The sun was just starting to rise over the ocean at the start. Luckily, I had a good look at it before the rain came in. The course has a variety of surfaces. It starts off on a paved road before going on the wooden boardwalk. You get back on a paved road for a while before you hit the gravel trail. The fine crushed gravel isn’t too bad, but some areas had larger rocks and mud which made it a little rough. There was a water stop every couple of miles.
The end is about half a mile from the start and in front of the running company. The finisher medals are nice as well as the age group awards if you’re lucky enough to have earned one. I had a couple non-runners with me, so I didn’t attend the after party. There were additional wristbands that could have been purchased, but I needed to dry off and wanted to explore the area. The wrist band got you into the party, provided food and 3 drinks.
Overall, the race was well organized and the volunteers were friendly and encouraging. Obviously the weather is out of anyone’s control. My only complaint would be the trail running. It’s just not my favorite surface.
New York City Marathon
Tour of the Burroughs with 50K friends
New York City Marathon
Journey through all the Burroughs in the world's biggest marathon. Runners need to select a day and time frame to pick up their packet. It starts on Thursday and runs … MORE
Journey through all the Burroughs in the world’s biggest marathon.
Runners need to select a day and time frame to pick up their packet. It starts on Thursday and runs until Saturday. The Jarvits center is large and can accommodate a lot of people. I was able to pick up my bib and shirt on Friday afternoon with no wait. The expo itself was busy and there was a little bit of a line if you wanted to buy some extra souvenirs, but everything moved quickly and there was a lot to look at.
Runners need to select a pickup location as well for race morning. Your pickup time will be determined by your race start. There were 3 pickup locations. I took a bus from the public library in Midtown Manhattan at 5 am. It took less than an hour to get to the starting area. All runners had to go through security and place everything in the clear bag that they were given at the expo. There are 3 wave colors and each one has its own village at the start. There are port-a-johns and drinks in each village. Each village has its own set of corrals which open about 45 minutes before the race start. Within the corrals, there are more port-a-johns for that last minute trip. There are also several drop boxes around for donating your clothes. The corrals close a few minutes before the race start and then the group is lead from the corral to the start line. I spent 3 hours waiting in the blue village before the race start.
The race started promptly at 9:10 with the blast of a cannon. Runners are immediately greeted with an uphill climb over the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge with a great view of the NY skyline and out of Staten Island. The blue and orange waves start on top of the bridge and merge around the 3 mile mark. The green wave starts under the bridge and merges in with the other two colors around mile 8.
The route goes through all 5 of the Burroughs. You run the most miles in Brooklyn. There were fluid stations offering water and Gatorade Endurance every mile after 3 miles. Gels were available at miles 12 and 18 and a couple banana stations. Port-a-johns were available every mile as well.
The crowds were large and loud in most places. There were a couple quiet places, part of Brooklyn and on the Queensborro bridge. Once you come off the bridge, the crowds in Manhattan are loud and help give you a boost. The course is challenging, but the sites and crowds will help push you through. This year it was in the 70s with over 80% humidity. The heat and humidity crushed me and lead me to my slowest marathon to date. There were people dropping and passing out in several places. Everyone was immediately attended to. The volunteers, NYPD and everyone else involved were some of the best I have ever seen. I still have a bad taste in my mouth due to my poor performance as I write this, but NY is an experience every runner should have in their lifetime. The medals were great this year and I liked the shirt as well. The runners are given a recovery bag at the finish with 3 different drinks, an apple and a bag of pretzels. The ponchos are lined and are very nice although they were not needed this year.
In the end, it is a great race, and I can see why it is one of the majors. Although it was a tough day, I made it to the finish and earned my 4th star.
Berlin Marathon
World Record Broken
Berlin Marathon
I couldn't even get a PR. This was my first trip overseas and therefore my first race out of the country. Due to flight issues, etc, I didn't get to … MORE
I couldn’t even get a PR. This was my first trip overseas and therefore my first race out of the country. Due to flight issues, etc, I didn’t get to Berlin until late on the Friday before the race. That left me with just Saturday to get everything done.
One challenge that I had was being able to eat and hydrate enough before the race. I usually down a couple Power Ades and plenty of water. I couldn’t find a single Power Ade and water is a little different over there. They have still and sparkling water. In restaurants, the water comes in fancy bottles. I was able to find an Aldi to get a banana and bottled water.
I would suggest really understanding the transportation routes before going. The subway is the best way to get around, but understanding how it works and where to catch it, could be challenging. It was closed in one section and I had to walk a long way to find the next station. I walked way too much the day before the race.
The race expo/packet pickup was in an old airport. It was large, but still very busy. It took a while to get in to pick up my bib. They put a bracelet on you that you need to keep on for the race as well. I made the mistake of taking it off after the expo and they almost didn’t let me through security on the day of the race. Your bib is not enough. There were the usual expo items and a decent amount of marathon souvenirs. You have to buy your own shirt because you don’t get one with your race admission. The race bib is huge and does not have a timing chip. If you want to be timed, you have to make that choice when you signed up. They give you something to put through your shoestring. They also make sure to get that back after the race.
I stayed at a hotel that was a little ways from the start, but they offered a shuttle to the start. No matter how you get to the start, there will be a lot of walking to get to the starting corrals. You go through security and need to show them your bracelet from the expo (oops). And then more walking. There is a park close to the start with paths to do a little prerace warm up. All of the walking and warmup was on gravel paths and I had to empty all the pebbles out of my shoes.
Before the race they do a nice intro for the top 3 contenders. The race started promptly at 9:15. Luckily, the streets are wide at the beginning and helps with crowding. There are other parts of the course where the streets are a little more narrow and it can be a little congested. They have lines on the road that are supposed to be for the tangents, but I was still about 1/5 of a mile over by the end.
There are spectators along the entire course. It is very well supported. The only issue it that people like to cross the road in front of runners. This can be a little frustrating. Luckily, I didn’t have any close calls with spectators, but it looked like other might have. There were a lot of water stations and one place with Maurten gel. There was even a place with Coke Cola. All the stations used plastic cups. It had to do with recycling, but it’s different having plastic cups all of the ground vs paper cups. Also, it makes it more difficult to drink while running.
You get to run past a lot of interesting architecture and other areas. The finish is soon after passing through the Brandenburg Gate. It was a very cool way to end the race. The course is fairly flat and the weather was pretty good as well that day. It wasn’t my day, but I am still grateful for the experience.
They give you a bag with goodies at the end. It’s interesting because it is local items that you don’t see in the US. The medals were nice with Kipchoge on the reverse side. The lanyard could have been a little better, but it’s all good. At the race registration, I choose the poncho. I think the other option was a bag drop. The poncho was good quality and a good choice to keep my warm afterwards.
Make sure you know how to get back to your hotel afterwards. I took my phone and still had a hard time getting back. I ended up getting an Uber. I didn’t know until right after I finished that the world record had been broken.
Anchorage RunFest (Humpy’s Marathon & Skinny Raven Half)
Great race in the Last Frontier
Anchorage RunFest (Humpy’s Marathon & Skinny Raven Half)
This is probably a lesser known race compared to The Mayor's Midnight Marathon. There were just over 200 finishers for the full marathon. I was second guessing my decision to … MORE
This is probably a lesser known race compared to The Mayor’s Midnight Marathon. There were just over 200 finishers for the full marathon. I was second guessing my decision to do the full as opposed to the half, but I was glad I did.
There really wasn’t much of a race expo, just a packet pickup. There were several times and days to pickup everything up though. Everyone was supper nice and helpful. The race had a charming small town feel to it.
There parking on race morning was free and plentiful. I was probably less than a quarter of a mile from the start/finish.
All of the race distances started at different time which helped keep the traffic down and the lines at the port-a-johns at the start small.
Probably over 95% of the race was on a couple different trails. Both were an out and back. I enjoyed the course for most of the race. The overall elevation gain on my watch was 646 feet and there is a bit of a tough incline near the end.
There were patches of spectators, but it was a bit sparse. There were only a few times where other runners were in the way on the fairly narrow trail, but it was mostly because they were not staying in their lane. No bear or moose sightings this year that I’m aware of.
Since it was an out and back course, I went by many of the half runners. The pacers and other runners were very supportive. It was helpful in the later miles when I was feeling tired.
The weather was great. It had rained all night, so it was humid, but it was cloudy, in the 50’s and no wind.
The end of the race had a few food options, but not too many options. They did offer grilled cheese. The finisher medal and shirt were unique and pleasant. I actually really enjoyed this race. I loved Alaska and made the most of my trip by doing a tour of the Kenai Fjords and a trip to Denali.
Grandma’s Marathon & Garry Bjorklund Half
Fast course along lake Superior
Grandma’s Marathon & Garry Bjorklund Half
There are a lot of things about this race I wish I would have known a long time ago. I knew it was a popular race, but I didn't know … MORE
There are a lot of things about this race I wish I would have known a long time ago. I knew it was a popular race, but I didn’t know how big it really was. The race is held in June. I originally tried to sign up for the half in December, but it was already sold out. The cap for the half was 8000. I decided to sign up for the full instead. The full was capped at 9000 and eventually sold out as well. In January, I started looking at hotels. Little did I know that everything within a 150 mile radius was already sold out. I called around and did find one, but the price was twice as mush as usual. A few of the colleges do release some of their rooms starting sometime in Spring, but I was traveling with others and it wasn’t a great option. Just keep all of these things in mind.
The race was on a Sat and I flew into Minneapolis the day before. It should be about a 2.5 hour drive to Duluth from the airport. Due to construction and slow-downs, I got to Duluth late afternoon during the 5K. Traffic getting to the packet pickup was backed up onto the freeway and was at a crawl. The only place that had open parking spaces was a parking garage that cost $10. Even then, I had to circle a while to find a spot. It was a bit stressful, so I would suggest going a lot earlier in the day if possible or walking if you’re staying close enough. They are open until 11 pm.
The race expo had a lot of vendors and was very spread out. You have to walk around awhile to find the bibs. You do not receive your shirt until after you finish the race. The spaghetti dinner is at the same location as the expo, but I did not participate.
The race start is in Two Harbors and busses must be used to travel to the start. They had a few bus pickup locations which were conveniently located. There is also an option to ride the train, but it fills up quickly and is 1st come 1st served.
The half marathon starts over an hour and a half before the full so the marathoners don’t have to worry about passing any of the slower runners. The starting area was large and had a lot of port-a-johns, but also had long lines. The bag drop area had a lot of trash cans with the bib number range and was like a well-oiled machine. It looked like there was water and maybe coffee at the start area as well. There was good space to get a little warm up in and plenty of places to sit. They did not have corrals, so runners are supposed to line up based on hopeful finish times that were marked. Only a few runners were not lined up correctly. I got in the corral a little late, so it was crowded and I couldn’t get to the pacer that I wanted to follow. The race started on time and had a flyover which I loved.
The street was wide and the crowd was able to spread out within the first few minutes after the start. Traffic was blocked from the entire route, so you did not have to contend with that. There were several water and sports drinks available on the course. Not as many at first, but they increased as the race progressed. There was fruit available at a couple locations as well. The course followed the coast from Two Harbors to downtown Duluth. A lot of the time there were pine trees between you and the lake, but there were spots where there were great views of Lake Superior. There was a lot of crowd support along the way, especially near the end when it was needed the most. It was better supported than any race I have run in the last couple years. The course has a few gently rolling hills with a little hill, Lemon Drop Hill, around mile 22. I had an overall elevation gain of 499 feet.
The finish had a lot to choose from. The usual fare as well as some local things. The only issue was that I didn’t see any bags to collect all of my goodies. You pickup your race shirt at the finish and they give you a drink ticket as well. The shirt and medals were nice. Gear pickup was quick and easy.
The weather was good. Temp was in the 50’s with some wind. It was most noticeable during the last mile when you turned right into it. I started to falter a bit around mile 18, but I was able to hold on for a 1:12 PR. Overall, I think the race lived up to the hype.
As a side note, there is an option for spectators to purchase a ticket to watch from the train. I purchased this for my parents. The train goes along part of the course and follows the lead runners for awhile. They were served food, had a restroom and get to sit in the bleachers at the finish line. They said it was worth it.
Cleveland Marathon & Half Marathon
Hot (& humid) in Cleveland
Cleveland Marathon & Half Marathon
This race was one that I deferred from 2020. I was originally going to run the full, but I have several this year and decided to drop it down to … MORE
This race was one that I deferred from 2020. I was originally going to run the full, but I have several this year and decided to drop it down to a half.
I had something come up the day before the race and I wasn’t going to be able to pickup my race pack before the expo closed. Luckily, they had the option for someone else to pick it up for me. Therefore, I don’t have any insight into the expo.
I stayed at one of the hotels the race recommended. It was very close to the race start/finish. There seemed to be plenty of parking nearby. The start was in a good location near the town square and started promptly at 7.
There were some parts that weren’t very scenic, but the course did hit most of the major attractions in the city. Luckily, the course was also marked well because there were a lot of turns. The full and half marathoners ran together for about 11 miles before splitting off. The split was well mark and would be hard to miss. Traffic was closed, so there was plenty of room for the runners.
The route wasn’t as flat as I would have thought. Some of the elevation gain was due to bridges, but there is a significant hill around mile 9. It felt like it went on forever. There seemed to be plenty of water stations and port-a-johns along the way. There was also a station with gel.
The announcer called each finisher’s name and city as they crossed the line. There was the usual post-race fare with fruit cups, water, chocolate milk and other various snacks. Each runner over 21 received a beer ticket which was redeemable in a beer garden. The shirt and medal were nice, but I believe the shirt was cotton. Comfy, but maybe not the type a lot of people like to run in.
You never know what you’re going to get in Cleveland in May. This year the start temp was 68 and the relative humidity was 83%. It was a little warm and humid for my taste. So, not PR weather for me. The temp did drop throughout the morning and then a cold mist started to come down. This was after I had already finished, but some of the marathoners were able to cool off a little. I was not overwhelmed by the number of spectators, but there were pockets here and there.
If I were going to choose just one Ohio race to do, this probably wouldn’t be it, but it was still a nice race to do.
Greater St. Louis Marathon (fka GO! St. Louis Marathon)
Gooey Louie was all I needed
Greater St. Louis Marathon (fka GO! St. Louis Marathon)
I picked up my race packet the day before the race at the convention center. It was fairly easy to get to and had a parking garage across the street. … MORE
I picked up my race packet the day before the race at the convention center. It was fairly easy to get to and had a parking garage across the street. The pick up was a little different in that it was part of a larger expo- The Gateway Outdoor Expo. There were vendors for mountain biking, kayaking and various other outdoor activities represented. The bibs were handed out in the front and then the shirts were in the back corner of the expo. It meant you had to go by most of the exhibitors. Otherwise, it was a quick and easy experience. Unfortunately, they didn’t have any extra memorabilia that could be purchased.
The race started at Forest Park at 7. There were shuttles from the end of the race that would drop runners off at the start, but I was dropped off by my #1 fans, so I don’t know how good the logistics were.
The weather was perfect for running. It was 40 degrees, sunny and no wind. The day before had been very windy, so this was a great relief. Port a pots were plentiful and the lines seemed to move quickly. I always like to get in line for a little last minute relief.
The corrals weren’t too crowded and the race started on time. The route didn’t go past all of the monuments or through downtown, but the areas where we did run had good streets and seemed safe. Probably not as scenic as some races, but I didn’t think it was bad.
The water stops seemed to be spaced out a bit early on and became more plentiful the further along you were. I take a water bottle with me, so I didn’t use any of the water stations. There was someone handing out Gu at one place, but it wasn’t obvious at first.
I thought the race was supposed to end in the “shadow of the arch,” but it wasn’t all that close to the arch. The last quarter/half mile of the course turned onto a gravel road and was the worst part of the course. Luckily, the rest of the course had nice paved roads that were closed off to traffic, although one person did get loose on the course.
There was a nice mix of rolling hills and nothing too difficult, but it was definitely not flat. I didn’t expect to have a PR, but thanks to the great weather I managed to shave 3 seconds off my personal best. Not a lot, but I’ll take it.
The end of the race had the usual bananas and fruit cups, but they also had a gooey butter cake from Gooey Louie. I like to research local dishes from the places I travel and this is the one thing I had planned to try while I was in town and they gave it away at the end. It was very good and I think I added back all of the calories I had just burned off during the race.
I liked the medal and shirt because it was unique and had the arch and the flag. Race shirt fit well and is comfortable. It’s not wicking, but cotton, so some might not like it because of that, but it is comfortable for lounging around. The end of the race wasn’t great, but overall I liked the race. Of course a PR will always help improve my impression of any race.
Myrtle Beach Marathon
Ocean breezes on a flat course
Myrtle Beach Marathon
It was interesting returning to Myrtle Beach after being there 15 years ago. It's a very popular vacation destination. The good news is that it was before all the spring … MORE
It was interesting returning to Myrtle Beach after being there 15 years ago. It’s a very popular vacation destination. The good news is that it was before all the spring breakers ascended upon the beach. Luckily, it is also early enough in the year that it was not too hot yet.
I didn’t arrive in Myrtle Beach until late the night before the race. They had the option to have the bib mailed so I didn’t have to worry about making it to the expo. I was able to pickup my shirt after the race. Expos can be fun, but they can also be another point of stress when coming in from out of town, so this was a nice option.
There was plenty of parking at the start at Broadway on the Beach. It was a fairly short jog from there to the start line. There were no corrals, so you could line up close to one of the pacers to get an idea of a good place to start. I felt like the runners in the front of the start did well at lining up in the proper spots because I didn’t have to dodge anyone at the start.
The course was flat and a good opportunity for a PR, although I missed one by just over 40 seconds. I enjoyed most of the route which ran by a lot of the area restaurants and attractions. I carry my own water, but there seemed to be adequate water stops along the half route. There were lots of port-a-johns at the start, but I didn’t really pay too much attention to any along the route. Something that is mostly noticed if one is needed.
It wasn’t a very breezy day overall, but once I hit mile 9, there was a bit of a wind tunnel. There were views of the ocean during this stretch between the mega hotels, but it was still appreciated. Temperature was in the mid 50s with humidity over 90%. It started out cloudy, but the sun was in full force by the end of the run.
The only complaint I had was near the end with about 1.5 miles left to go, the half marathoners meet up with the back end of the 5K. It was very congested and I had to run around them which used up excess energy and slowed me down a touch.
The medal was a nice commemorative 25th anniversary themed. The shirt was long-sleeved for men anyway and had a nice design and seems to be a good quality. The end had just a few snacks and water, nothing outstanding. The shirt pickup was in the minor league baseball stadium and was quick and easy.
I was supposed to run the Charleston half in January, but it was canceled. They are put on by the same company, so I rolled my registration over to this race. Overall, I enjoyed the race.
Atlanta Marathon & Half Marathon
Rainy rollers in the ATL
Atlanta Marathon & Half Marathon
I wanted to run this race in 2021, but I didn't like the course. Luckily, the course was moved back to the city. I wanted the more traditional Atlanta experience. … MORE
I wanted to run this race in 2021, but I didn’t like the course. Luckily, the course was moved back to the city. I wanted the more traditional Atlanta experience.
The race expo wasn’t anything special, but the location was nice. It was in the Georgia Aquarium ballroom. You’re able to observe the whale sharks and beluga whales from there. That was a unique experience although I had been to the aquarium before. Bib and shirt pickup were quick and easy. There were no frills, just the basics.
I stayed at a hotel that was only 1/4 – 1/2 mile away from the start. There are places to park around there due to it’s proximity to World of Coke Cola and the aquarium, but it’s generally expensive. One less stressor on race morning.
The race start was spacious and runners in my corral seemed to be in the correct place based on pace. This isn’t always the case and I don’t want to use all my energy in the 1st mile weaving around everyone. There was a light rain off and on the entire race and start temp was around 50. The rain picked up a bit at times, especially near the end. The wet roads can be a little slippery, but my shoes were probably part of the issue (Nike next%).
The course had rolling hills throughout with a few tough stretches. My normal course in Ohio is pretty flat, so maybe it was just me. There were only a few places that had very many spectators. Otherwise, there were a few scattered about. It could have been the weather.
The race finish had the usual items. They gave out a thin jacket instead of a space blanket. It helped me warm up a little and keep from getting much wetter on the walk back to the hotel.
The medal was nice and unique and the long-sleeved shirt was adidas and looks like it’s good quality. Overall, I thought it was a nice race and well organized.
Tucson Marathon (1969–2021)
At least the medal was great
Tucson Marathon (1969–2021)
The draw of this race is the downhill course. Don't assume that it will be easy. I've done a couple other downhill marathons and flat courses are easier. There were … MORE
The draw of this race is the downhill course. Don’t assume that it will be easy. I’ve done a couple other downhill marathons and flat courses are easier. There were a few miles where it was a steep downhill and went right into a climb. My legs were in bad shape by mile 20.
Good points
Shirt was a little plain, but good quality and attractive
Medal was one of my favorites so far
There seemed to be plenty of water stops (not sure about gu)
Post race goodies were decent
Packet pickup was easy
A lot of the course was scenic
Not so good
Course was long (26.6 on my watch). Everyone else agreed
Runner pickup location changed within the last 2 weeks
Finish was over a mile from parking (had shuttles, but not obvious where/how to catch one)
Age winners received a plastic piece that went on back of medal (the medal was too nice for that)
Not the organizers fault, but temp was in the 70s by the end and full sun most of the way
Might be a dry heat, but it’s still hot
Not my favorite race, but I really enjoyed Tucson and the surrounding area. I think there are some things that can definitely be improved.
Indianapolis Monumental Marathon
Flat, fast course through heart of IN
Indianapolis Monumental Marathon
Good course for a PR. As advertised, it was flat and fast. I had a 3 sec PR. Nothing major, but I'll take it. Packet pickup was quick and easy. … MORE
Good course for a PR. As advertised, it was flat and fast. I had a 3 sec PR. Nothing major, but I’ll take it.
Packet pickup was quick and easy. It took place at the convention center. It was a decent sized expo as expected from a race of this size.
I stayed at a hotel that was less than a mile from the start. I was able to walk to the start and therefore don’t know how parking was.
I was in the A corral. It was very crowded and hard to move. It felt rather claustrophobic. It was a little congested for the first half mile, but luckily I was able to break free soon after that without getting tripped.
The course was flat overall with just a few feet of elevation gain overall. The start of the race was 30 degrees with minimal wind.
Crowd support was good in some areas and a little sparse in others. The cold probably kept some away, but kudos to those that braved it. I was concerned about the split from the full marathoners as I have had issues before, but they couldn’t have made it any easier. The had several signs as well as a giant inflatable that made it obvious. The less thinking during a race, the better.
Some of the roads need some work and you had to watch where you were going. The course did have a few twists and turns, but they were marked well. The last couple miles were pretty straight.
Overall, it was an enjoyable and well done race. You get to see some of the attractions downtown. Some of the buildings did crazy things to the GPS on my watch at times.
The shirt was a nice material. Some thought it was ugly, but I’m indifferent. The medal was nice and the end had all of the usual goodies.
Colorado Marathon
Quad killer along the Cache la Poudre
Colorado Marathon
The race usually takes place in May, but in 2021 it was postponed until October. So, the weather and scenery could be a little different. Not sure if they usually … MORE
The race usually takes place in May, but in 2021 it was postponed until October. So, the weather and scenery could be a little different. Not sure if they usually have pace groups, but this year they did not. Most races have not had pacers lately due to Covid.
The packet pickup was at one of the local running stores. Nothing fancy, but easy and quick. Not a bad place to be in case you forgot to pack any gels or other necessities.
Full and half racers took chartered buses to the start line. They were much nicer than school buses and they had a restroom on them. The waiting area at the start of the full had lots of port-a-pots and had coffee and water. Although I didn’t use it, the bag dropped looked easy and convenient.
The race started on time and followed beside the Cache la Poudre River. The fall colors and canyon walls made it very scenic at least for the first half. The second half wasn’t as scenic, but it was still nice.
The race is significantly downhill. The first half went well, but by mile 14 or 15, the quads were in bad shape. I had really bad positive splits. I’m a flat lander from Ohio, so the 6000′ elevation probably had an impact as well. The course seemed easy at first, but the downhill and elevation caught up to me.
The weather was great. It was around 40 at the start and the sun was behind the canyon walls for the first 16-18 miles. There was a slight headwind at times, but nothing unmanageable.
Race shirt was a long-sleeve drifit short, but seems a little thin. Overall, it was nice as was the medal. There were plenty of drinks and snacks at the finish. I won my age group and the reward was a nice glass. Awards ceremony was a little late in the day, but it was to accommodate the full marathoners. It did go quickly though and there were drinks from Odell Brewing.
It was a nice race, but be sure to prepare for a lot of downhill and elevation.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Virginia Beach
Flat and fast, also the last
Rock ‘n’ Roll Virginia Beach
Unfortunately, this was the last time Rock and Roll will be in Virginia Beach. This was the 2nd time I had done a RnR series race. They always have a … MORE
Unfortunately, this was the last time Rock and Roll will be in Virginia Beach. This was the 2nd time I had done a RnR series race. They always have a big production and great medals. The packet pick up was at the convention center with easy, free parking and good hours. I picked up someone else’s packet as well with ease. There wasn’t a whole lot to the expo, but that might have been due to Covid. It was an early start to the race at 6:30, but it was appreciated due to the daytime temperatures. It was only 67* at the start, but 90% humidity. Luckily, most of the course was shaded. Only the last couple of miles which were on the boardwalk, were in full sun. The course overall was flat with a couple small over passes around miles 3.5 and 10.5. The last couple miles were the most difficult because it was into the wind and some intense sun, but finishing on the boardwalk was nice. There was plenty of on course entertainment and water stops. Overall, it was a good race and well organized. The medal was cool and the shirt was nice.
Lincoln Marathon & Half Marathon
Stroll through cornhusker country
Lincoln Marathon & Half Marathon
Unfortunately, this year the finish was inside the track stadium and not the football stadium. I would like to have been on the field where Ohio State always dominates the … MORE
Unfortunately, this year the finish was inside the track stadium and not the football stadium. I would like to have been on the field where Ohio State always dominates the cornhuskers. I assume it was due to Covid precautions.
The course started with a bit of an uphill for the 1st couple miles on paved streets. It eventually goes onto a paved pedestrian trail for a while before returning to some residential roads. The last mile is a nice downhill sprint to the finish inside the track stadium.
It was my second day in a row running a half, so I did not have my best time, but the course wasn’t too difficult and allowed me to at least make it respectable. It was humid and windy, so that added a little challenge as well. Luckily, the area with the most direct wind was a nice downhill in the middle miles of the race.
It was the largest race I’ve done since Covid. There were a lot of waves at the start and surprisingly a decent amount of spectators. Lincoln seemed to be the typical college town and larger than I thought. Spectators were not allowed in the finish area and had a special meeting place further away. The medal and shirt were nice and there was a nice gran and go goody bag at the end with some nice snacks.
The only thing I didn’t like about the race was my starting wave. I’m not sure how, but I ended up in wave D. There were a lot of good runners in the competitive wave, but I found myself dodging a lot of runners for the 1st couple of miles and was still passing several people up until the end. I used a lot of time and energy the first couple of miles when it was rather congested. Otherwise, I enjoyed the race.
Eisenhower Marathon
Small town race in Kansas
Eisenhower Marathon
It's not the best known race in Kansas, but the small town atmosphere was a nice change. I chose this race because it was on a Saturday and I planned … MORE
It’s not the best known race in Kansas, but the small town atmosphere was a nice change. I chose this race because it was on a Saturday and I planned to run Lincoln the next day in Nebraska. It was only a 3 hour drive between the two and I was able to knock off two states in a weekend.
The course was an out and back which was mostly on roads, but also went through a park. It was part of the Chisholm trail. It wasn’t the most scenic race I’ve done, but the view was still nice and not monotonous. The road was closed to traffic which was nice. Overall, the course was mostly flat. There were a couple rollers in there just to mix it up.
Just over 100 finishers for the half. Not too many spectators, but the town was happy to have us there. Lots of yards and businesses had signs welcoming us.
Shirt has ok. I believe it was just a normal cotton t-shirt. Race medal was nice. It resembled the campaign buttons for Eisenhower which made it unique.
Overall, I enjoyed the area and the race.
Run the Alamo Marathon & 13.1 Half
Sunday stroll along the Riverwalk
Run the Alamo Marathon & 13.1 Half
First time in Texas outside of the airports. I was concerned about the heat since it had been in the 90's leading up to the race, but it was only … MORE
First time in Texas outside of the airports. I was concerned about the heat since it had been in the 90’s leading up to the race, but it was only in the mid 50’s at the start of the race.
Packet pickup was quick and easy. Race shirt is good quality and came with a small duffle bag. Parking for the pickup was a little confusing, but there was a garage a short walk away.
I parked in the same garage on race morning. They did a health check before the race by taking everyone’s temperature and giving them a green sticker to place on their bib. There were several port-a-johns, but the area could have used some lighting.
The 1st mile was on a somewhat uneven road and some brick road. After that, everything was paved and a little easier for running. The crowd support was not too bad considering it is still during Covid. There were pockets of people and then long stretches without anyone. Aid stations appeared to be plentiful and well stocked with Gatorade and water. I carry my own water, so I didn’t use any.
The course was a bit of a maze and confusing, but it wasn’t a problem because the course was marked well and the volunteers were helpful. The course was mostly scenic with a part along the river. It was an enjoyable course most of the time. There were some small hills early, but it seemed most of the gain was the last 4 miles. I started to struggle a bit after mile 9. The finish line had a nice little bag of post race snacks. The medal was the star of the show. It was certainly unlike any others I’ve had. I’m not sure if it was due to the 10th anniversary or if they’re always that nice. Overall, it was an enjoyable event.
Marathon of the Treasure Coast
Palm tree-lined streets in the "heat"
Marathon of the Treasure Coast
I'm from Ohio and had been running in snow with 20 degree temperatures throughout February. The race time temp was in the low 60's with over 80% humidity, therefore, it … MORE
I’m from Ohio and had been running in snow with 20 degree temperatures throughout February. The race time temp was in the low 60’s with over 80% humidity, therefore, it felt very warm to me. I was not acclimated and struggled a bit. There was a decent wind as well, but the coarse changed directions, so I was not in the wind the entire time.
Once again, this was a Covid race, so I was just grateful to get a live race. They had the usual Covid precautions in place which included a rolling start and masks until time to cross the start. The rolling start meant you had a roughly a 15 minute time frame to start. The full started at 6 and half at 6:15. The faster runners were encouraged to start closer to the 6:15 time. I ended up having a final trip to the port-a-john and missed the start. Therefore, I had to weave in and out of runners for the first mile. It was totally my fault though.
The coarse included some slight up hills and down hills with the only big climb on the the bridge on and off the island. Unfortunately, that was the only time I remember seeing water. Although it was not an ocean front course, there were still some nice areas with palm-tree lined streets.
There were plenty of potties at the start and a few throughout the course. There seemed to be plenty of aid stations offering bottled water, but I carried my own water and didn’t use any of the station. There were some spectators along the way, but not like a big city race, which was to be expected. I think the best part was probably the medal. It was one of the largest and nicest ones in my collection. It might have been worth it just for the cool hardware. After all, isn’t that why we do it? The shirt was nice as well and had names of the full marathoners on it (I believe). I signed up a little late anyway, so I didn’t have my name on my bib either.
There were some refreshments at the finish and the volunteers were friendly and helpful. Unfortunately, my gut can’t usually handle food right after a race. As long as you are not expecting an oceanfront view throughout the course, I think it is a worthwhile event. I almost said enjoyable, but racing doesn’t seem enjoyable at the time.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon
Gulf coast views in December, yes please
Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon
Happy for the opportunity to get a race in during Covid. Obviously, things look a little different these days due to the precautions needed, but they did a nice job … MORE
Happy for the opportunity to get a race in during Covid. Obviously, things look a little different these days due to the precautions needed, but they did a nice job putting everything together.
The packet pickup was in an outdoor area of a local restaurant. There was plenty of time from which to choose. I came back after the race to Sal & Mookie’s for lunch. Highly recommend.
The shirt is a little thin, but looks nice and should be comfortable.
Race medal is large and unique with a nice lanyard. After all, this is what it’s all about. 🙂
The race itself is point-to-point along the gulf coast of Mississippi. One lane of east bound traffic is closed for runners. Everyone is bused to the start area in Pass Christian.
There was plenty of room to socially distance everywhere except maybe the port-a-john lines. Everyone wore their face coverings until the start of the race. One of which was provided in the swag bag at packet pickup. The start line was spaced well with different waves and cones marked at least 6 feet apart. The area was wide enough for 3 runners at a time. It was spaced out well.
Once on the course, the first 3 miles were closed to all traffic, which made it easy to spread out. After that it was down to one lane, but everyone had already created some distance between themselves.
Most of the course had great views of the gulf coast beaches. Once closer to Biloxi, you start to run past several businesses and restaurants. It’s fun to run by all of the areas where I had previously visited.
Seemed to plenty of water and powerade stops. There were some spectators, but as expected during Covid, it was somewhat sparse.
The course itself is pretty flat until aound mile 24. You ascend an on ramp and do a short out and back on the I-10. Everything feels like a mountain by this time, but looking at it later, it didn’t look that bad.
I was disappointed with my performance. I thought I was in good shape and would PR on a flat course. Wrong I was. The temp was about 60, but the humidity was over 90%. I felt like I was running into a decent headwind as well. I guess it wasn’t my day.
I didn’t have a chance to see them, but the half featured pros Grayson Murphy and Des Linden.
Louisville Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K
Louisville made it happen
Louisville Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K
This race took place during Covid which obviously changed the dynamics. I'm happy that they were able to secure the permits and do whatever was necessary to provide everyone with … MORE
This race took place during Covid which obviously changed the dynamics. I’m happy that they were able to secure the permits and do whatever was necessary to provide everyone with a safe race experience. It’s just rare to have a live event during these times.
They had so many different start times based on your projected pace. Luckily, I was able to have a fairly early time and beat the rare November heat. There was plenty of space on the trail in most places to easily pass with a safe distance. Most of the course was on a paved trailed through a park. It was fairly scenic, especially compared to the urban races. Not many fans to cheer along the way. There were not too many places for people to get to but could also be due to Covid. There were a couple pretty good up hills. One was English Pope Hill around mile 2 and a longer climb around mile 10. They definitely slowed me down. Luckily, there are a couple nice downhills to recover. There was a separate finish line to keep everyone distanced at the end.
As for the swag, the medals were nice and they had a light sweatshirt instead of a shirt. Everything seemed like it was good quality.
Overall, it was a nice course especially if you’re a fifty state runner.
Antelope Island Marathon
Those are not rolling hills
Antelope Island Marathon
This was my first race post Covid-19. I was just happy to find a race that wasn't canceled. It's difficult to judge everything based on the precautions that were taken … MORE
This was my first race post Covid-19. I was just happy to find a race that wasn’t canceled. It’s difficult to judge everything based on the precautions that were taken due to the pandemic. Runners were sent out one at a time based on estimated finish time. Everyone wore a mask up until time to start. There were plenty of aid stations on the course and the volunteers wore masks as well.
This was my 10th marathon and the most difficult so far. They advertise rolling hills, but it was much steeper than that. The out and back course destroyed my legs and I struggled mightily in the second half. There is a dirt section around the turn-around area for about a mile. No fans due to the Covid restrictions, but there was a lot to look at. The island was beautiful with the mountains and lake. There was some good wildlife viewing as well. There were plenty of bison (at a safe distance) and a couple antelope as well.
Not a lot of swag except a shirt and bag. The shirt was basic, but comfortable. The medals were really nice. They gave out a small bag at the end with an orange, string cheese and granola bar as well as water.
This is probably not a PR course for most. It was about 3 minutes from being my worst marathon. I was happy to find a live race and they made it happen.
Maui Oceanfront Marathon
It's Maui- what more can I say?
Maui Oceanfront Marathon
This race should be on everyone's bucket list. Maui is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. It will be difficult to top this. The good: Beautiful area, … MORE
This race should be on everyone’s bucket list. Maui is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. It will be difficult to top this.
The good:
Beautiful area, mostly along the coast
Best age group awards and trophies I’ve seen
Fresh pineapple at the end
Refreshing mister at the end
Fairly flat course and well marked
The not so good:
Hard to find parking in town for packet pick up (not a problem on race day)
After the turn-around, there was a lot of people coming on your left and cars on your right. I had to focus on the distractions and didn’t totally get to enjoy the views
The awards at the end was chaotic and took a while
Overall, very good. Ends next to a beach, so you can jump right in.
Bank of America Chicago Marathon 🏆
Chicago knows how to do a race
Bank of America Chicago Marathon 🏆
Typical big city race which means very congested running in the early miles, but lots of crowd support. There are plenty of good places to cheer on your runner and … MORE
Typical big city race which means very congested running in the early miles, but lots of crowd support. There are plenty of good places to cheer on your runner and easy to find them at the end.
The course was mostly flat, with a hill near the end. The bridges have metal gratings, but are generally covered with large carpets. There are several turns on this course. My watch was messed up early due to all the buildings, so plan accordingly. The wind was strong and contributed to my second half demise.
On course support was great. Plenty of places and the water vs gatorade was clearly marked.
The convention center for the packet pickup was crazy to get around due to all the traffic. I would probably try to take public transportation next time.
Overall, it was a pretty good experience if you’re into running. 🙂
Santa Fe Thunder Half Marathon
Quad crushing exploration of NM
Santa Fe Thunder Half Marathon
If you can make it past the first 2-3 miles, you'll be OK. The first two miles are net uphill almost 300 feet. The 3rd mile is a steep downhill. … MORE
If you can make it past the first 2-3 miles, you’ll be OK. The first two miles are net uphill almost 300 feet. The 3rd mile is a steep downhill. After the first 3 miles, it is a much easier downhill. Course was tough on the legs and is over 7300′ altitude at it’s highest. Surprisingly, I didn’t seem to be affected by the altitude. There are a couple short, but steep hills near the end. There is prize money, so there is some strong competition.
The views overall are nice and you pass some of the local landmarks like camel rock. Not too many spectators, but there is plenty of on course support.
The awards ceremony at the end was a little chaotic, but the hand-made age group awards were unique. The shirts and metals were both very nice as well.
Emerald City Half Marathon
Back to where it all started
Emerald City Half Marathon
This was the first half marathon that I ran 5 years ago. There are a few rolling hills, but overall a fairly easy course. If you're looking for crowd support, … MORE
This was the first half marathon that I ran 5 years ago. There are a few rolling hills, but overall a fairly easy course. If you’re looking for crowd support, you will not find it here. The course takes you through one of the local parks and overall has nice views (for Ohio). The medals are always top notch and the shirts are nice as well. The weather is hit or miss this time of the year. Luckily this year, it was in the mid 50’s at the start.
Big Sur International Marathon 🏆
Beautiful course along the ocean
Big Sur International Marathon 🏆
Such a great course. Be prepared to get to the buses early and for a bit of a wait until the start. Time goes quickly though. The Taiko drummers and … MORE
Such a great course. Be prepared to get to the buses early and for a bit of a wait until the start. Time goes quickly though.
The Taiko drummers and pianist are at critical points early in the race and a nice distraction.
The late stages of the race get tough as the scenery changes and the hills keep coming.
Overall, a great experience. Worth the pain for the views. It should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Boston Marathon 🏆
Lived up to the hype
Boston Marathon 🏆
Since it's still fresh in my mind, this will be the best time to leave a review. The bad: A lot of waiting- I was in wave 1 and loaded … MORE
Since it’s still fresh in my mind, this will be the best time to leave a review.
The bad:
A lot of waiting- I was in wave 1 and loaded the bus to Hopkinton by 6:45. My wave didn’t start until 10:02. There is a tent for waiting and plenty of port-a-johns. Just be prepared and bring throw away clothes and something to sit on.
So many people- it was at least 5 or 6 miles before it thinned out a bit. I’ve never had that many people around me for so long and it made me a little anxious.
Not really a good place to warm up- everything was muddy and crowded in the athletes area. Be sure to use the march toward the corrals as your warm-up.
The Good:
It’s Boston
I’ve never seen crowd support like that before. There was hardly a stretch where there wasn’t a crowd cheering on all of the runners.
It was so loud most of the time, that I couldn’t hear my ipod.
The fly-over was so cool. It was a little foggy, but I was still able to see the jets pretty well. Gave me goosebumps.
Wellesley was amazing- other than the finish, it was my favorite spot. I see why it’s called the scream tunnel. I gave high-fives all along that area as well as Boston College. I loved it.
The atmosphere was second to none. I’d highly suggest running it as least once in your life.
It definitely shredded my legs and was a tough course, but there was water, bananas, orange slices, gatorade, medical assistance, vasoline and so many other forms of comfort all along the course.
Nashville Marathon & 1/2 Marathon
Hilly and chilly, but fun
Nashville Marathon & 1/2 Marathon
It was a good race overall. Starting temp was around 28 with 14 mph winds, but the sun was out. The toughest part of the race is early, between miles … MORE
It was a good race overall. Starting temp was around 28 with 14 mph winds, but the sun was out. The toughest part of the race is early, between miles 2 and 4. After that, it gets easier until around mile 12 when you climb a bridge. I went with the 1:30 pace group and they were really good, but I didn’t hear the same about some of the other pacers. Medals and shirts were really nice, but I didn’t see a lot of post race food options. Race support was rather sparse as well. The course was confusing at times and the turn around point was rather subtle and anti-climatic. I was glad I was with the pace group during those parts. The dead possum at mile 10 was rather amusing and gross at the same time. Overall, it was a good race and I enjoyed the parts of the course that go through the city.
St. George Marathon
Beautiful course w/ lots of ups & downs
St. George Marathon
Overall, it was a beautiful course and well organized. Just because it's a net downhill course, does not mean it's easy. I enjoy some nice downhills, but it will take … MORE
Overall, it was a beautiful course and well organized. Just because it’s a net downhill course, does not mean it’s easy. I enjoy some nice downhills, but it will take a toll on your quads. There is a nasty uphill right after Veyo that seems to go on forever.
The only issues that I found were the long wait times at the race start. You have to catch a buss from the finish area to the start, which is about a 25 minute ride. You need to get there early. The race was then delayed by 30 minutes because we had to wait for the last bus to make it. It was rainy and in the mid to upper 40’s at the start. The other issue is people starting in a faster group than they should. By this point, people should know their starting pace and I shouldn’t have to dodge so many people in the beginning.
The good. Considering how there is not much civilization out there, there is decent crowd support. The aid stations were great as well, some of them offering ice packs, vaseline and icy hot rub downs. People at the finish were very helpful and offered lots of goodies and congratulations.
It was definitely a unique race.
Air Force Marathon
Rather boring except the start & finish
Air Force Marathon
Not much to look at during the run and hardly any spectators. There were a lot of long stretches with just pavement. Weather was a big factor as well with … MORE
Not much to look at during the run and hardly any spectators. There were a lot of long stretches with just pavement. Weather was a big factor as well with temps starting in low 70’s with >90% humidity. Someone put an ugly hill around mile 8. There were a decent amount of water stations and a cool, wet sponge near the end which was much needed. Having a serviceman place the medal around my neck was cool and there was some decent treats at the end. Overall, good to support the military, but not one of my favorites.
Erie Marathon at Presque Isle
Flat and fast as advertised
Erie Marathon at Presque Isle
Nice flat course with water stops every mile and lots of pace groups. A little congested at the start, but it helped me from going out too fast. The only … MORE
Nice flat course with water stops every mile and lots of pace groups. A little congested at the start, but it helped me from going out too fast. The only issue is the traffic getting into and out of the park. Plan to get there early.
Deckers Creek Trail Half Marathon
Mostly downhill, shaded course in woods
Deckers Creek Trail Half Marathon
The appeal is the mostly downhill course. However, the quads will take a beating. The first 10+ miles are on a crushed limestone trail and then becomes paved and open … MORE
The appeal is the mostly downhill course. However, the quads will take a beating. The first 10+ miles are on a crushed limestone trail and then becomes paved and open the last 2+ miles. Runners take buses up winding roads from the finish line to the start. The trees help shade the course, but in my case, it also kept the humidity in. Water stops every 2 miles and one of the best food spreads at the end that I’ve seen. A lot of local places donated food and was right around the WVU campus. Not a very big race with just over 500 finishers. Not many good places for people to watch either. Not a bad race though.
Three Creeks Half Marathon (OH)
OK for a small race
Three Creeks Half Marathon (OH)
It was a small race, but had 3 distances all starting at the same time. The course was an out-and-back and the turn-around for each distance was obvious. Only a … MORE
It was a small race, but had 3 distances all starting at the same time. The course was an out-and-back and the turn-around for each distance was obvious. Only a few small hills, but I think my issue was all of the curves. There was nothing straight about the course. Despite being a small race, the half was fairly competitive. I attribute that to being a tune-up for most people before Boston. The shirt was nice, but the metal wasn’t great. Of the price though, it was a decent value.
Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans
Fun race in a cool city
Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans
The course was about as flat as I've ever seen. Well organized and lots of on-course entertainment and water. Which is good, because it was getting warm by the end. … MORE
The course was about as flat as I’ve ever seen. Well organized and lots of on-course entertainment and water. Which is good, because it was getting warm by the end. Not as scenic as I thought it might be, but still better than most. It was nice to run down a couple main streets without traffic. It was kind of expensive, but the experience and the swag make it worthwhile.
Columbus Marathon & Half Marathon
Well supported race in my hometown
Columbus Marathon & Half Marathon
The big Columbus races are generally well supported and this is no exception. It was very warm and humid. I struggled early in this one. They seemed to add additional … MORE
The big Columbus races are generally well supported and this is no exception. It was very warm and humid. I struggled early in this one. They seemed to add additional water stops due to the weather. At this time of the year, you never know what you might get. The second half of the course gets more difficult and a lot less spectators. Organization and start of the race is great. Swag is pretty good as well.