Chris VandeZande's Staging Area

So nice to feel the fun of an expo pre-pandemic style. So much fun!!! Got me in the mood. They described the course accurately, the hill being a killer. This was to be my 46th state for my 50th quest, fortunately I figured out to get myself moving to make it in the time by mile 19, before being taken off the course. I was able to complete it by the skin of my teeth. If I would’ve known how Covid in January would’ve affected my breathing I would’ve signed up for the early start and walked the majority. I’m a slow runner, but have never taken that long to finish.
Fortunately the volunteers were so helpful and encouraging right up until the very end. I didn’t feel like they were rushing to close things down. Beads, lipstick, pins, shots all there to enjoy!!! Then the medal… well we all know the medal!
The post race food was blah, but all I care about is the chocolate milk (which was there!!) but something pastry or bread type would’ve been nice.
Such a great event. Little Rock sure embraces this race. I wish I could’ve performed better, but I’m just glad it is done.

It’s really too bad the marathon ended with such disappointment after a solid, well organized race (from expo, start, nice flat route, many water stops & enthusiastic volunteers).
I was a little panicky about the weather being from upper Michigan leaving my warm and water resistant gear at home. But handled the light rain, then peeks of sun and a little wind that often was at my back. It’s good it was not hot and sunny as there was no shade to speak of. I did not have bathroom issues (thank goodness). Good thing because I really don’t remember true porta potties anywhere except mile 2.
The expo was small but those groups that were there were enthusiastic! The start was well organized and I appreciated the ability to stay dry and warm in the huge convention center. The course was not hard but I’m a slow runner, and also had a slower than usual time waiting for my friends to bring me my traditional mile 20 fireball shot. Lol!.. Medal was nice!
Ok now let’s discuss this post race. Apples, 2 pieces of bread (not even anything special about it). No chocolate milk and the supposed “beer garden” was pay to drink even for those who ran??? I think there was water in cups, but I just got done drinking water and Gatorade for the past 5 hours. I know this race will get some flack for this, as I haven’t heard anyone compliment that aspect even those that finished well before me, so it’s not like they really ran out, it’s all that was offered. Hopefully future races they can turn that around or just plan to have your friends and family bring a well stocked cooler for the end!

Can’t do much about the weather. It was not cold nor pouring rain or windy, but it did rain everyday we were there. The awesome views of the mountains were less spectacular. August is rainy season.
So far I don’t know my actual time because there has been no results sent to me nor posted or updated on the website??? So far no opportunity to give that race feedback. Sorry if this is inappropriate to write here, but I was a little put off and surprised to watch one of 2 women Pacers, step off to the side of the trail, stand and pull her shorts over and urinate standing up. (Not behind a tree, or bush or even at least a few yards off, But right NEXT to the trail) I understand the urgency if you have to go, but there were woods everywhere!!!

The positives: The race was a nice course all along the coastline or Chester Creek trail. I did get to see a moose and her calf! The tech shirt is ok, kind of a silly design making it not that wearable to many places. The medal is very nice.
I loved hearing Bart Yasso on the phone to start the race! Post race had nice options except I had to tell my friend go find chocolate milk from a hotel lobby. Grilled cheese and big cookies were great. I was disappointed I could not get a seltzer at the finish, (yes I did not read the fine print that I needed my license). It was explained to me later why Alaska requires an ID for everyone when I did go to Humpy’s that evening. I would hope at packet pick up that the ID could be checked and a wristband or something marked on our bibs for post race. This is how many other races handle it… I don’t carry my ID with me during a race.
Otherwise a very nice race, good volunteers, a few musicians playing, well marked, and good post race options!

I was a little worried about the downhill, (my 4th downhill that kills my quads every time) but I enjoyed listening to Coach Paul’s Facebook updates that did help me get a better state of mind. Such a well run event. Revel Races should take over Rock N Rolls for putting on a marathon.

Expo had fun photo opps, great Revel products to purchase and good vendors! The race itself was so nicely managed from the buses to the start (nice buses), start line encouragement, to great course safety with cones the entire way and police escorts for opposing traffic! Water stops were plenty except I would’ve liked one extra one at mile 25. The finish line food was good (I’m happy just with chocolate milk) The medal was beautiful but I’m also a crazy turtle lady! ..And they had another option than beer at the beer tent! Shuttles back to the strip were very convenient. Oh and did I mention free photos? What race does that? Had a blast with running friends for a quick weekend in Vegas! This was my Nevada for 50 states and state 41. Very pleased I held out for 2 years of postponements to run this!

Expo was normal for the covid era we are in, yet not impressed being slightly badgered by the water filter guy. I don’t want someone selling me something for my home at a sporting event expo. I wish he actually had water to pass out. Course was actually prettier than I expected although more rolling hills than I expected on the paved trail between mile 8-15 out and back. All the aid stations were well placed and great volunteers. I dressed up in a Dorothy costume so I got great fellow runner feedback and race volunteer motivation. I was pretty slow, but I did have Toto in a basket in tow. Due to covid this was postponed from April and I don’t know what the Emerald City celebration was suppose to be like as they felt they needed to cancel the after party. The finish was lack luster with minimal post race food and NO chocolate milk. I compared this to a very successful after party recently at Hartford CT with prepared food bags, beer tent, live music in a very spread out environment. I was a little more hopeful there would be a little more “hoopla” at the finish. It is a solid race for my 50 state endeavor. Oh and a helpful man at the expo entrance names Kelly suggested I go to the ymca for a shower, since I needed to check out of my hotel. It was perfect!!!

Although this course was to be downhill and fast and for most of the runners that was the case. I’m a slower runner to begin with and the downhill on the 2nd half caught up to me. But it was absolutely beautiful and I enjoyed the support of the Race director, and his volunteers were wonderful! Well organized small town race!!! We had perfect weather and even the post race chocolate milk and grilled cheese sandwiches!! (And a lot more!) you’ll love this race and it can count as either Wyoming or South Dakota if you are a 50 state hopeful!

Very well organized! Clever marathon mask in swag. Did well with safety measures. Had to adapt the course to 2 loops of out and backs but they did great with bottled water & Gatorade. Great local people supportive and just all around excited to actually hold a race!!!

So glad I choose this for my Tennessee, I became a hero and raised money. The organization was top notch!! Expo was nice and everyone is friendly! The entire city embraces this race. So many even who were not volunteers would thank us for running.
My only complaint, is they ran out of things at the post race party (how can you run out of chocolate milk, and there were still many runners coming in) and offered only beer.
The course is not all that pretty. The riverfront is not very clean and many areas looked run down.😞 Beale Street was suppose to be a cool place to go, but we were very uncomfortable when we went on a Friday, approached by homeless, and beggars following us for an entire block. It was sad but have us a bad taste of Memphis.

We were lucky with the weather, early start helped. Volunteers at all water stations were awesome! Nice medal! Tech shirt is a little heavy. Post party was awesome. I was not thrilled with the expo however. Not that there was not enough there, but it was too small of a venue! No parking! People were angry with each other trying to get to the event. I was going to do the beer run, but it was so congested, I about had it. Caras park was fine for the post race, but I think an inside with large parking lot would’ve been better for the expo.

Well run course! The multitude of community spectator beer stop..WOW! I don’t drink beer but there were a few Fireball stops.❤️ 2018 was very cold, I thought traveling 1100 miles south it would be warm, but no! The extra bling for the shortest ultra was fun and with Jell-O shots! I did not like the post race. They made very regimented, could not return to the finish line, shuttled you out like cattle and then I couldn’t find the special tents or certain food they said would be there. Everything was so far apart.

This would’ve been a great race for me. I’m a slow runner & would’ve appreciated the flat course. But that wind got me. I was exhausted & very frustrated with the wind. It almost blew me over twice. I didn’t look around at scenery because I had to keep my head down. I did not have my usual pains (back, hip or feet), but my upper back was so tired from pushing myself. Ha Ha.
The organization was great, expo small but good things happening. Swag was nice. The after party was very good with plenty of food even for us slow marathoners. Best: Finally options at an Expo & post race other than beer for us non beer drinkers. Yum!

It wasn’t an exciting course, but for some reason I enjoyed it. Not much to do in Fargo, but I was able to concentrate on the race. The organization was superb!!! The swag bag was awesome!