Karen Antell's Staging Area

Loved the folks at Bishops Events who put on this small race on a beautiful trail. There were only 57 of us in the half, probably because it was Easter Sunday. But what a great event. The trail was hard-packed dirt alternating with some gravel and a few bridges, wide enough for runners and cyclists also using the trail to pass easily. It was pretty much flat, an easy to navigate out-and-back route, and ran parallel to the C&O Canal. The route had lots of spring wildflowers to see. There was a park bathroom in the parking lot, water and Gatorade along the course (I think 4 stops and we passed each one twice) a nice short sleeve tech shirt, and an Easter egg medal plus packaged snacks at the finish. The only thing I would have liked was a bathroom along the way but I guess that would be the park’s responsibility! They allowed 3:15 to finish and I think the RD was open to earlier start if someone requested. They posted individual photos taken on FB the next day. I will be back to do more Bishop’s Events runs!

Lots of friendly and well-stocked aid stations. Loop course right next to Amtrak station and walkable to variety of hotels. Run through beautiful shaded neighborhoods. Some short hills.

TWO LAPS AROUND CENTRAL PARK – PAVED AND NOT TOO CROWDED. GOOD NUMBER OF ENERGETIC VOLUNTEERS AND WATER STOPS PLUS ONE GEL STOP. HELPFUL VIRTUAL PRERACE WEBINAR EARLIER IN THE WEEK. A LOT OF HYPE ABOUT THE HILLS THAT REALLY WEREN’T SO TOUGH IF YOU LIVE IN A HILLY AREA! SWAG WAS A POMPOM BEANIE AT BIB PICKUP (THERE WAS RACE DAY PICKUP AND MULTIPLE DAYS FOR PICKUP THE WEEK BEFOREHAND). WE WERE GIVEN THE NYC MARATHON PONCHOS AT THE FINISH WHICH WAS A NICE SURPRISE.