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@HalfSpeedQueen

Broomfield, CO Raving since 2017 Active 6 months, 3 weeks ago

About Me

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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 (3)

Race Distance Location Date Result
Half Marathon Anchorage, AK Aug 22, 2021 2:04:57
10K Boulder, CO May 29, 2021 1:01:41
5K Broomfield, CO Nov 25, 2021 27:29

Future Races (14)

Race Distance Location Date Paid
Half Marathon Asheville, NC TBD
Half Marathon Weott, CA TBD
Half Marathon Cincinnati, OH TBD
Half Marathon Fargo, ND TBD
Half Marathon Kiowa, MT TBD
Half Marathon East Hampton, NY TBD
Half Marathon Atlanta, GA TBD
Half Marathon Louisville, KY TBD
Half Marathon St. Charles, MO TBD
Half Marathon Frenchtown, MT TBD
Half Marathon Bar Harbor, ME TBD
5K Five Islands, Canada TBD
Half Marathon Richmond, VA TBD
Half Marathon Wilmington, NC TBD

Past Races (51)

Race Distance Location Date Result My Raves My Performance
Half Marathon Milwaukee, WI Oct 1, 2023
Half Marathon Ashford, WA Jul 15, 2023
Half Marathon May 7, 2023 2:26:33
Half Marathon Des Moines, IA 2023
Half Marathon San Diego, CA Dec 17, 2022
Half Marathon Westminster, CO Sep 24, 2022
Half Marathon Brian Head, UT Aug 13, 2022
Half Marathon Castle Rock, CO Jul 16, 2022
Half Marathon Denver, CO May 15, 2022 2:17:08
Half Marathon Arvada, CO Apr 10, 2022
Half Marathon Louisville, CO Jan 16, 2022 2:27:33
5K Broomfield, CO Nov 25, 2021 27:29
Half Marathon Anchorage, AK Aug 22, 2021 2:04:57
Half Marathon Estes Park, CO Jul 30, 2021 2:24:06
Half Marathon Longmont, CO Jul 4, 2021 2:13:40
Half Marathon Louisville, CO Jun 6, 2021 2:26:26
10K Boulder, CO May 29, 2021 1:01:41
Half Marathon Rancho Palos Verdes, CA Nov 16, 2019
Half Marathon Denver, CO Oct 20, 2019 2:41:12
Half Marathon Townsend, TN Sep 7, 2019
Half Marathon Newport Beach, CA May 5, 2019
Half Marathon San Diego, CA Apr 13, 2019
Half Marathon Fallbrook, CA Mar 30, 2019
Half Marathon Tustin, CA Mar 3, 2019
Half Marathon Huntington Beach, CA Feb 3, 2019 2:27:04
Half Marathon San Diego, CA Dec 15, 2018 2:13:33
5K Irvine, CA Nov 22, 2018 29:08
Half Marathon Long Beach, CA Oct 7, 2018 2:30:09
Half Marathon Irvine, CA Sep 8, 2018 2:21:11
Half Marathon Anchorage, AK Aug 18, 2018 2:21:27
Half Marathon Wilson, WY Jun 2, 2018 2:23:51
Half Marathon Newport Beach, CA May 5, 2018 2:21:22
Half Marathon San Diego, CA Apr 14, 2018 2:22:24
Half Marathon Tustin, CA Mar 11, 2018 2:23:08
5K Culver City, CA Mar 4, 2018 29:38
Half Marathon Huntington Beach, CA Feb 4, 2018 2:33:33
Half Marathon Carlsbad, CA Jan 14, 2018 2:46:44
Half Marathon Pomona, CA Dec 10, 2017 2:37:02
5K Irvine, CA Nov 23, 2017 32:47
Half Marathon Las Vegas, NV Nov 12, 2017 2:42:29
Half Marathon Cascais, Portugal Oct 15, 2017
Half Marathon Long Beach, CA Oct 8, 2017 2:41:46
Half Marathon Dundee, OR Jul 9, 2017
Half Marathon San Diego, CA Jun 4, 2017
Half Marathon Newport Beach, CA May 6, 2017
Half Marathon Lake Buena Vista, FL Apr 23, 2017
Half Marathon San Francisco, CA Mar 26, 2017
Half Marathon Tustin, CA Mar 12, 2017 2:26:12
5K Culver City, CA Feb 26, 2017
Half Marathon Huntington Beach, CA Feb 5, 2017
Half Marathon Anaheim, CA Jan 15, 2017 2:29:39

My Raves

This was my second time running this race and my first post-COVID California race. Although I loved this race my first time around, this time was extremely disappointing. First, getting … MORE

This was my second time running this race and my first post-COVID California race. Although I loved this race my first time around, this time was extremely disappointing. First, getting to the parking at the start was difficult, as many roads began closing early, and Google Maps directions used very long detours. Second, and most importantly, the parking at the start directions were unclear and the addresses were wrong. People following the directions in the printed race brochure had their cars towed before and while they raced. Third, the aid stations had limited coverage. While some stations functioned well, others could not keep up with the runners.

I heard from another racer that the race management had switched to a new company. Hopefully, the communication and general organization will improve with lessons learned from this race. However, I wouldn’t recommend this race until the issues are resolved.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
1
SCENERY
3
SWAG
3

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

This race seemed to suffer from either a lack of race staff/volunteers and/or lack of effort on the part of the organizers. I ran this as the fourth in a … MORE

This race seemed to suffer from either a lack of race staff/volunteers and/or lack of effort on the part of the organizers. I ran this as the fourth in a year-long series of four local races. First, the swag was yet another low-quality, unattractive shirt with the exact same design printed (at an angle) as the previous races. I realize that for economics, many race series cannot provide new designs for every race. But I had hoped that at least one of the races in this series would pick a shirt color that was remotely wearable. Second, the course was not well managed/monitored. In multiple locations, I saw runners veering off course for what ended up being shortcuts. I thought this was a mistake the first time it happened, but quickly realized that there were too many people making the same “mistake”. Since no race staff was nearby to monitor these transgressions, the end result were racers who cut 1-2 miles off their runs and, consequently, had some remarkable finishing times. When the race field is ~100-120 people total, this creates quite an impact on the finish order. Finally, the finish line was barely attended. After picking my own medal off of jumbled pile on a table (after the mat), the “race staff” member barely glanced up from her phone long enough to say “congratulations” before returning to her texts. It’s a small thing, but I like having someone look me in the eye or at least hand me a medal after I paid to run 13.1-miles…especially when others didn’t even bother to go the full 13. So I’ll chalk this one up to a paid-training run and save my money for better productions this time next year.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
1
SCENERY
3
SWAG
1

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Don't underestimate the difficulty of this course. While the descriptions stated that this would be a trail course, please know that you will be running on paths covered by mud … MORE

Don’t underestimate the difficulty of this course. While the descriptions stated that this would be a trail course, please know that you will be running on paths covered by mud and/or rock fields that present an extra challenge in the pitch black. Then add in the elevation, some occasional fog, and some last minute muddy hills and you’ve got a very challenging half-marathon course. That being said, Vacation Races did a superb job (as always) of managing the course and the event, despite the weather and the newness of the race. The area itself is beautiful and one of my favorite hiking destinations in the daytime. I still haven’t decided if I’ll tackle this race again, but I’m glad I tried it this once.

DIFFICULTY
5
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
5

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This race was a top-notch production, from the bib pick-up and expo at Empower Field to the free brats and beers at the finish line. One of the highlights was … MORE

This race was a top-notch production, from the bib pick-up and expo at Empower Field to the free brats and beers at the finish line. One of the highlights was the mile through the zoo, where every animal was awake and active. Having a tiger stalk you from the walkway above is quite the early-morning thrill! The race shirts were super soft and attractive and the finish-line swag was plentiful. The course itself gave a nice highlighted tour of the city, with plenty of on-course support from the locals, live music, and even a run through the firehouse accompanied by bagpipe music and cheering firemen. I can’t imagine a smoother race, and I’m excited to return next year.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

Anchorage in mid-August has perfect running weather. The on-course entertainment was as varied as always (Scottish bagpipes, anyone?). And the tree-lined path was a soothing relief from the hot, smoky … MORE

Anchorage in mid-August has perfect running weather. The on-course entertainment was as varied as always (Scottish bagpipes, anyone?). And the tree-lined path was a soothing relief from the hot, smoky weather at home. I was not one of the lucky (unlucky?) ones who had their race interrupted by the bears or the moose, but I still enjoyed myself. Getting a new PR was just icing on the cake. Don’t wait to complete your 50 state challenge for this race, it’s worth repeating as often as possible.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

The national park races put on by Vacation Races are, by far, my favorites! The views are breathtaking (and so is the altitude). But the race support and overall race … MORE

The national park races put on by Vacation Races are, by far, my favorites! The views are breathtaking (and so is the altitude). But the race support and overall race management made the race a pleasure to run. There were frequent porta-potties, a diverse choice of hydration and energy options at the frequent aid stations, and phenomenal views to distract from the “pain” of those hills in the first 5 miles. Can’t wait to run it again next year!

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5

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An early start on what promised to be a hot July 4th, the field was not very crowded and the course was clean and wide. Most of the path had … MORE

An early start on what promised to be a hot July 4th, the field was not very crowded and the course was clean and wide. Most of the path had a dirt/ gravel shoulder that you could use to save your ankles. This is my second summertime race in Colorado and I’m really loving those iced towels at the end. All in all, a race worth repeating.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
4

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I was just glad to be able to run in a non-virtual race! The t-shirts were oh so soft, and the swag boxes were a nice touch. They did a … MORE

I was just glad to be able to run in a non-virtual race! The t-shirts were oh so soft, and the swag boxes were a nice touch. They did a great job given the changing policy landscape for holding events. I chose the Erie course and enjoyed the overcast skies, green views, and open spaces. Best part of all – I got a 10k PR. Can’t wait to run this race on the original course next year!

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
5

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I was mentally prepared for a tough run due to the altitude. And as a Californian, I knew running in 40-degree weather would be an added challenge. But then the … MORE

I was mentally prepared for a tough run due to the altitude. And as a Californian, I knew running in 40-degree weather would be an added challenge. But then the 20+ mph winds showed up – yikes!

It was a brutal start with the typical RocknRoll Race delayed release for each corral. Standing still in the bitter, stinging cold for 20+ minutes while waiting to begin running was a cruel wake-up call. I wish that either the corrals were bigger so we had room to jiggle and move for warmth or that the race production staff handed out those thermal sheets while we waited.

The race itself was a beautiful, flat course, providing an overview of some of the best parts of Denver. At different points, we had views of the mountains in the background (always breathtaking). The entertainers did their best to keep the energy pumping, despite the blustery conditions. (I’m still not sure how the stilt walkers stayed upright). I just wish the winds had allowed me to enjoy the course more. The buildings alternated between blocking the worst of the wind or funneling them into stronger debris-filled gusts.

The race production staff made the best of the conditions. I felt bad for the volunteers trying to hand out cups of water in the face of the weather. There were plenty of porta-potties on the route and the much-needed thermal sheets were available at the finish line. My suggestion for next year – hot chocolate instead of cold beer at that finish line!

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
3

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

Vacation Races always puts on a fabulous event. They are receptive (and honest) with feedback from the events which allows them to improve each time. By now, they are a … MORE

Vacation Races always puts on a fabulous event. They are receptive (and honest) with feedback from the events which allows them to improve each time. By now, they are a finely tuned machine.

This course was gradually uphill with gentle, rolling inclines the entire way. And the humidity was higher than what I experience in SoCal. That being said, I *loved* this race. The scenery was lush, green, and relatively serene. We ran on a wide road so there was very little to no congestion along the course. Aid stations were plentiful and well-manned. And the quality of the swag and post-race snacks was top notch. Way to go Vacation Races!

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5

2 members marked this review helpful. Agree?

This is the third year I've run this race. The course has not changed, but the race production has definitely improved each year. The route is flat and easy, but … MORE

This is the third year I’ve run this race. The course has not changed, but the race production has definitely improved each year. The route is flat and easy, but the weather (drizzle and breezy) did its best to make the conditions more difficult. I still recommend this race as a good way to begin your California running year.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
4

2 members marked this review helpful. Agree?

I'm beginning to think that San Diego has the market cornered on topnotch race productions. From weather forecasts to bib pick-up details, pre-race communications were excellent. Aside from the beautiful … MORE

I’m beginning to think that San Diego has the market cornered on topnotch race productions. From weather forecasts to bib pick-up details, pre-race communications were excellent. Aside from the beautiful long-sleeve, hooded race shirt, the swag bag contained gloves and a thermal blanket (in case the temperature was too low) and sunscreen (in case the sun went the other direction). Course support was great with regular aid stations and on-course race guards and officials. I also loved the pacers who interacted with the runners, offering encouragement and lively commentary.
The course itself was not very scenic until the last few miles when the ocean came into view. But I didn’t notice the views because I was speeding by on the constant downhill trajectory. Except for the hill at mile 1 (and a few minor upward bumps), this course is down, down, down. I beat my previous PR by almost 8 minutes – now that’s the way to end the running year!

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
4

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

This is my second year running the LB half. Compared to my prior experience here and at the other beach cities races, this race was disappointing. To start, the parking … MORE

This is my second year running the LB half. Compared to my prior experience here and at the other beach cities races, this race was disappointing.

To start, the parking situation was expensive. $15 for bib pick-up parking and another $15 for race day parking is very costly on top of an already expensive race registration.

The course felt crowded, even with the reduced attendance. Usually, races thin out by the 1-2 mile mark and people find their personal space. For this race, the entire 13-miles was spent dodging and weaving around groups of people.

It started off cool, but the humidity and temperature had an effect shortly after the sun showed up. Unfortunately, the aid stations were not placed frequently enough and were not manned well enough to keep up wth demand. On more than one occasion, I had to stand in a line of runners while waiting for the poor volunteers to fill cups.

Scenery-wise, this race has the least amount of beach-time compared with the other Beach cities races. Swag-wise, this medal disappointed. I always enjoyed the Queen Mary motif from previous years and the 2018 medal was rather generic with a silhouette of buildings and palm trees.

Overall, not my favorite race. I ran it to complete the beach cities challenge. I am still undecided if I will repeat this race a third time due to the production value and expense.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
2
SWAG
3

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

This was my first Lexus Laceup run. I chose this race due to convenient location and the reviews of other Lexus Laceup runs. Overall, it was just a meh experience. … MORE

This was my first Lexus Laceup run. I chose this race due to convenient location and the reviews of other Lexus Laceup runs. Overall, it was just a meh experience. It met my expectations for convenience, but was otherwise a disappointing experience.

On the positive side:
1. Near my home so short morning commute
2. Ample parking
3. Very generous Porta Potty situation
4. Regular aide stations on the course with great volunteers
5. Cool, cloudy weather

The Negatives:
1. Lack of community support/ involvement (I have never been on such a quiet race course. With the exception of the aide station volunteers, traffic cops, and two women with a sign at mile 4, there were zero supporters/ cheerers on the entire route)

2. The finish line was not well managed (As I crossed the finish, I had to push spectators and other finishers out of my way just to cross the finish mat. The people handing out the medals just stood still with medals dangling from their arms. I walked by them the first time before I realized that they had my medal. When I asked “Is that for the half marathon finishers?”, I received a stare in return.)

3. Inadequate Food. (There were only 2 food trucks for all racers to redeem their free food. One of those trucks had smoothies. For those of us waiting for something more substantial, we had to stand in a long line in the sun before finding out that that the truck had run out of many of the food options. If free food is a perk of the race, then the organizers need more trucks.)

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
1
SWAG
4

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

In a year of great races, the Anchorage RunFest has hit the top of the list on all counts. Visiting Alaska is a great perk, but the race was so … MORE

In a year of great races, the Anchorage RunFest has hit the top of the list on all counts. Visiting Alaska is a great perk, but the race was so well-produced that I would have had the same opinion no matter where it was held.

1. The race communications were frequent, helpful, and inspirational. There were stories of various race participants, enabling a sense of connection before the plane touched down. Logistics were also communicated on a regular basis.

2. The bib pick-up and expo furthered the sense of connection. Local merchants and organizations had donated a variety of prizes that filled multiple tables. By visiting each vendor, racers were able to enter into raffles for the prizes. The vendors (including Jeff Galloway himself) took the time to talk to each participant, making me feel welcome. It was the first expo that I truly enjoyed.

3. The spaghetti dinner included a talk by Jeff Galloway where he gave his insights, as well as answered questions from the audience. It was motivational and made me wish I had signed up for his clinic later that day.

4. The race itself was under rainy, cool conditions. The path took us past the water and under the cover of green trees and beautiful parks. The course was fairly easy with the only unpleasant part being the hill at the 13-mile mark, immediately before the finish line. There was even a report from a marathon runner of seeing a moose cross the path during the race! Support was generous with many locals showing up along the path to cheer us on. They even had a highly diverse musical selection to encourage us – bagpipers, guitar-player, a drum group and more.

5. The shirt and medal were beautiful and unique, featuring a color palette that resembled the northern lights.

6. My only negative comment was that the end of the race did not have many food options for the hungry runner. There were free grilled cheese sandwich halves (which tasted good on a rainy day). But as an out-of-towner, I would have liked a food truck or two so that I could purchase lunch before returning to my hotel. Having seen many food trucks in the area, I think this would be the perfect opportunity for them to make some money and allow runners to replenish their calories.

Overall, I would highly recommend this race to anyone wanting to enjoy a unique destination with local support and strong sense of inclusion for all runners. I can’t wait to return…maybe to run the marathon next time 🙂

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5

3 members marked this review helpful. Agree?

This was my first run with Vacation Races and I've already signed up for my next. They put on a top-notch production. Every detail was accounted for, from a uniquely … MORE

This was my first run with Vacation Races and I’ve already signed up for my next. They put on a top-notch production. Every detail was accounted for, from a uniquely designed race shirt and incredible finishers medal, to little extras like free s’mores at the race expo. The surroundings were absolutely stunning, even with the 33-degree starting temperature.

Most impressive was the level of communication from the event staff. Mother Nature took out the bridge a mile from our original finish line only 4-days before the race. The race staff made sure to keep us well informed as they rushed to re-route the race. I still enjoyed the course that we were able to run and I look forward to running future races with such a professional organization.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5

2 members marked this review helpful. Agree?

This was my second year running the OC Half Marathon and I continue to enjoy this race. The course is relatively easy with only a few gentle uphill portions (although … MORE

This was my second year running the OC Half Marathon and I continue to enjoy this race. The course is relatively easy with only a few gentle uphill portions (although at mile 10/11, you feel it a bit). There was an over-abundance of aid stations and energetic supporters. Although I got a PR, I left the race thinking/ wishing I could have pushed myself even more. Next year, I will definitely look at this review and remind myself of that fact.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
4

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

I loved, loved, loved this race. In the middle of mile 9, when I normally question my sanity for starting the run in the first place, I instead found myself … MORE

I loved, loved, loved this race. In the middle of mile 9, when I normally question my sanity for starting the run in the first place, I instead found myself deciding to sign up for the next year.

The course is flat and fast, starting with a sunrise across the placid bay filled with paddle boarders and followed by several miles of gorgeous views of crashing waves. This was a reasonably small race (<2000 runners) so crowding was not an issue. Course support was plentiful and well-manned. I most appreciated the icy cold towel in the back third of the race. The shirt and medal were good quality and worth collecting. Can't wait for next year's race!

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5

2 members marked this review helpful. Agree?

Despite rain and breezy weather, this race was worth repeating. It was a great opportunity to see the inside of the Tustin hangars (much bigger than you expect from the … MORE

Despite rain and breezy weather, this race was worth repeating. It was a great opportunity to see the inside of the Tustin hangars (much bigger than you expect from the outside). The course is mostly flat, with an occasional uphill/downhill trek for the freeway overpasses. Course support was plentiful, especially considering the weather. The medal was the same high quality as last year and one of my favorite features of running this race. I will definitely return for year 3.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
3
SWAG
4

2 members marked this review helpful. Agree?

You've gotta love a race through movie studios held on the morning of the Oscars. There were plenty of creative costumes that made for a fun environment. The course was … MORE

You’ve gotta love a race through movie studios held on the morning of the Oscars. There were plenty of creative costumes that made for a fun environment. The course was very flat and quick with plenty of room to break away. Love the finisher’s medal!

However, several aspects of the race struggled to match the previous year’s quality. For instance, last year’s shirt is still one of my favorites from any race I’ve run. This year’s shirt was much poorer quality with paper thin fabric and odd sizing/fit. More importantly, the race itself featured very few elements that made last year’s event so much fun. While last year involved running through multiple studio lots with a variety of character interactions/ photo ops, this year had a very short pass through a single studio lot with nothing special other than some live music. Last year’s finish had costumed actors from Gone with the Wind to energetically greet you on the red carpet finish line while this year had only the red carpet itself.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
3
SWAG
3

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This was my second year running the Surf City half and I was glad I made this a repeat. Most of this flat course is along the beach, with only … MORE

This was my second year running the Surf City half and I was glad I made this a repeat. Most of this flat course is along the beach, with only a short section at mile 3-4 that winds inland before looping back to the ocean. The only thing preventing a PR on this race is the constant need to dodge other runners. As a warning, the starting waves are self-regulated meaning that even the earlier (faster) corrals are full of walker-talker groups. Despite the number of runners, the views of the surf and beautiful weather makes this a must-do (and a must repeat).

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
4

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

The course was along the ocean with a wonderful, refreshing breeze. The aid stations were plentiful and well staffed. My favorite part was the community support for the runners. Coming … MORE

The course was along the ocean with a wonderful, refreshing breeze. The aid stations were plentiful and well staffed. My favorite part was the community support for the runners. Coming off of the holidays, my time was not as good as I could have hoped. However, this race reminded me why I love running in Southern California.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5

2 members marked this review helpful. Agree?

Relatively fast course with a few hills thrown in. I enjoyed the run through the park and the aid stations were well staffed. I will definitely put this on my … MORE

Relatively fast course with a few hills thrown in. I enjoyed the run through the park and the aid stations were well staffed. I will definitely put this on my repeat list for 2018.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
3
SWAG
4

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This race has great energy that keeps you going, from start to finish. There is plenty of music from almost every genre throughout the entire course. Scenery-wise, it's hard to … MORE

This race has great energy that keeps you going, from start to finish. There is plenty of music from almost every genre throughout the entire course. Scenery-wise, it’s hard to beat running down the strip at night. The organizers also did a good job with (quickly) reconfiguring the race following the shooting tragedy and paying respect to the victims of that tragedy.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
4

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This was a poorly organized race, from start to finish. The race day weather and lack of course support lead to very dangerous running conditions. The Rock n Roll organization … MORE

This was a poorly organized race, from start to finish. The race day weather and lack of course support lead to very dangerous running conditions. The Rock n Roll organization should reconsider associating their name with this production.
1. To start, the pre-race expo was held in a location too small for the turnout. The line to get inside the building for bib pick-up was over 2-hours long and on an unshaded concrete terrace. On an 80+ degree day, this led to sunburn and heat issues for all even before the race started.
2. Bibs were handed out without safety pins. This made for an interesting opportunity to scour Lisbon stores for something to attach our bibs to our shirts.
3. Inside the expo, there were a few crowded (uninterested) vendors before I was pushed towards your t-shirt and exit. I luckily received one of the last few shirts available, although not in my size and unwearably small. They completely ran out of race shirts for participants later that afternoon.
4. On race day, we had to wait in another >1-hr line to board a bus for transport to the starting point on the bridge. Once there, we had to wait another hour for the race to start. There was no shade or water during any of these waits. Unfortunately, the staff only allowed racers to use toilets in their own tightly controlled corrals. I could see empty toilets in the corral behind me, but was prevented from using them by security. Despite waiting over an hour, I still had not gotten through the line for the toilet when the race began and my corral emptied out.
5. Water/aid stations were not located at the miles indicated at the expo. This meant that the first aid station did not happen until well-past the 3-mile mark. While this may not be a big deal normally, the long pre-race wait times, lack of shade, and late start time (10:30am) on a day that climbed near 90oF meant I was very thirsty and would have appreciated an earlier water break.
6. At the height of the race, when temperatures were at their worst, the aid stations ran out of water and liquids. By mile 8, the tables were empty and support staff were gone. Racers were digging through discarded water bottles on the ground for any drops they could get. A first aid station handed out some water, but had to reserve most of their supply for the health emergencies that began rolling in. I should mention that I finished well within the time constraints of this race and this lack of water/aid affected a large portion of the runners.
7. They ran out of post-race snacks/ drinks. On a large concrete, unshaded plaza, after miles of no course support in 90-degree weather, I was greeted by empty-handed staff. After begging, I was eventually provided a small carton of warm chocolate milk, but was denied a second by security.

After the race, the Lisbon staff took to social media to congratulate themselves on a record-number of runners. They seemed to overlook the fact that their poor management of the race put runners’ health at risk. If you have a race that runs through mid-day heat with no shade, then you need water. It’s that simple.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
1
SCENERY
2
SWAG
1

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