Lance Null's Staging Area

As one of the 6 world majors, getting into the race is not easy. But the race now has charity entry spots making it easier to gain entry.
Expo packet pick up lines are long for certain groups (charity runners?), for other groups, short. Especially on day 1. If you want official branded merchandise get there when it opens and fight the crowd. There was >1hr wait to enter the merchandise area after packet pickup, and I arrived at the expo 30 min before it opened. (although I did get a slow line for packet p/u).
Race shirts are available for purchase, but are an extra cost, and the sizes run small. (Japanese 3x is more like a US XL)
No drinks (other than small boxed water) is allowed in the start area, so drink down before you arrive.
The corrals move efficiently to the start, but you are in a mass mob. It will carry you along for the first few miles before it begins to thin out.
The race course is pretty flat. There are a few rolling hills, but none are very high or long.
Course support is excellent! The aid stations are divided into 5 groups, based on the last digit of your bib number (but many runners couldn’t figure that out.) Pocari Sweat was the electrolyte of the race. Plenty of porta potties and restrooms along the way. The early ones can have lines of up to 20 minutes! (They list wait times at the entrance to the area.)
The cutoffs for the race are real. The second cutoff is probably the hardest for slower runners. Overall it is about a 14:15 pace (or so) to meet all of the cutoffs.)
The exit to the race is a little bit of a maze. You are routed out based on your bib color. So if you are meeting family or friends, figure out where you will be exiting, or meet up at the family area. (which I never found.)
Make sure you give yourself several more days post race to explore the city and/or country!! (I explored Tokyo and Osaka this trip.)

The 20th edition of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona featured a new course for the half marathon and the 10k replaced the full marathon.
There are supposedly 53 legacy runners left, now that the marathon and half marathon legacy runners are combined.
The new course starts on Mill avenue, conveniently near a light rail stop, making travel to and from the race very easy. There are also nearby parking structures if you chose to drive in.
The course runs over the bridge, past the zoo, through Papago park and out into Scottsdale, before turning around on a parallel path back to Tempe town park.
Packet pickup is at the Phoenix convention center, which is also easily accessed via light rail.

For the first time in 20 years a portion of the 110 freeway was shut down for an event.

The race started and ended near light rail stations, so getting back and forth pre and post race was pretty easy. Located in South Pasadena, there were plenty of lodging options – especially when combined with the light rail.

Actually running on an LA freeway was a fantastic experience. We definitely were faster than rush hour traffic! We ran from Orange Grove St down to almost I-5.(26th ave)

Race shirt pickup – post race (if you couldn’t pick up the day before) was a total cluster… It took 45 minutes post race just to get the shirt.
They also ran out of medals at the end, but will be mailing medals to those who missed out.

The other side of the freeway was open to bicycles and there were walkers & fans along the course – a great time.

Hopefully this will happen again in the next 20 years.

Unfortunately, this seems like a one and done for Rock ‘n’ Roll, but it was a beautiful event.
The elevation and hills on the course made it a tough first half of the race, but the beautiful views of the city made it worth it.
The aid stations were will stocked and manned, and the volunteer support was fantastic.
We ran by the Capital, The Salt Lake Cemetery, The University of Utah, and Liberty Park.
There was plenty of post race refreshments, a beer garden that offered a soft drink option, and a post race band.
Public transportation to/from the airport was easy, and if you had a vehicle, visiting the Great Salt Lake and Donut Falls were great side trips.

The inaugural Visalia Half Marathon was a good start to the Run the Velley series of half marathons.
The race was an out and back course that started and finished in Cutler park on the East side of town, along the St. Johns River. The course is flat, but the temperature creeps up as the race progresses. It does get warm. (or hot in some people’s opinion.)
The race runs along the St. John’s river, up to the Riverway Sports Park, before adventuring out on streets along the edge of farmland. There is some shade in the first (and last) part of the race, but until more of the trees mature, the middle part of the course is open and hot.
There are 4 aid stations (which you pass both ways), but you may want to grab more than 1 cup.
Good course support and outstanding volunteers.
Medal is nice, and so is the race shirt.
Post race includes breakfast burritos (with a vegetation option), chocolate milk, and beer. (in addition to water and sports drink).
It would be nice if the race started earlier – to avoid some of the heat, but that may be limited by the park opening time and permits.

The 2023 Theme for the 10K was Monsters Inc.
As usual, this is an early morning Disney race, so catch a quick nap on the bus.
This race takes place around EPCOT, and around the boardwalk along crescent lake.
There is plenty of photo opportunities during the race, so get your money’s worth and have some fun.
The course is very flat, with overpasses being the “hills” of the course.
Great course support with water & electrolyte. Fun Disney themed medal, food box, water and electrolyte drink at the end of the race.
Not the cheapest race, but if you want to have fun, it is worth the investment.

The race is held on Camp Roberts Army Reserve Base, so you must have a REAL ID to participate. You also have to get your vehicle pass before entering base, so give yourself an extra 10 min.

I really enjoyed the course. It is mostly an out and back course, but the turn around is at 8.5 miles, so the return is much faster. (And that is great mentally).
With a small field, you can really enjoy the scenery, while still having someone to chase.
Swag is OK, and race supports a good cause.
I’m a repeat runner, and will be back again!

Course was a 7 loop course of just under 1 mile from point to point. The course was completely on paved trail.
As usual, the aid station support is fantastic, and there is always some hot food at the aid station in addition to various drinks and snacks.
Race medal is in the shape of Maine, with nice details, and is part of the series chain of medals.
Local YMCA also offered use of their showers after the race, all you needed was your own towel.
Part of the appeal of Mainly Marathons is the people you run with, and become friends with after repeated days together on the course.
So for a fun, yet challenging way to complete your states, sign up for a multi-day series!

Course was an 6 loop course of just over a mile from point to point along the Black River. Mother nature decided to soak us this year, but you can’t control that. The course was mostly asphalt, with a little gravel/grass near the start/finish.
As usual, the aid station support is fantastic, and there is always some hot food at the aid station in addition to various drinks and snacks.
race medal is in the shape of Vermont, with nice details, and is part of the series chain of medals.
Part of the appeal of Mainly Marathons is the people you run with, and become friends with after repeated days together on the course.
So for a fun, yet challenging way to complete your states, sign up for a multi-day series!

This race was a 6 loop race on a course set in High Point Park in Sussex, NJ. The course was paved the entire length.
We stayed in Milford, PA, and other options include Sussex, NJ, and Port Jervis, NY.
Easy packet pickup is available the morning of the race, or if you’re doing the series, the same bib is used each day.
There is a fantastic aid station at the start/finish with multiple types of food and beverage, and some form of hot food.
The course was scenic, and although looped, you get the chance to make new friends and catch up with old ones as you run with someone your pace.
Early start is available for slower runners.