Michael Tempkins's Staging Area

9th year in a row running this race. This is the second time they changed the course that I know of. I reviewed the new course last year, so thought it was appropriate to review again.

New race course is great, and possibly even better than the original course. You see a lot more sights, seems like more time is spent on UF’s campus, and you even run down the Solar Walk before the hills. The UF mascots and cheerleaders at the finish line downtown, along with free massages, were a welcomed return.

Seemed like less people running and cheering, though that might be due to eliminating the marathon course.

Some small ways to improve. Getting to the start line isn’t the easiest with the street closures; I was dropped off about 5 blocks away and had to run to the starting line. Mile markers should be on the race’s website especially so spectators can know where you are. Having the Expo during a busy time downtown with very limited parking was not ideal. Organizers ran out of correct t-shirts.

Definitely a nice improvement, would run this race again, and recommend it.

8th year running this event. The good: new course runs through Haile Plantation (a pretty, local section of Gainesville). Some may prefer this course since it was flatter. Local brewery post-race since finish line no longer on campus. Race director was responsive and offered to mail my packet if I couldn’t make the race. Five Points of Life is a GREAT cause.

The bad: no longer runs through UF’s campus or downtown, Archer Road isn’t the best to run down (gets tight in some areas), less festive finish line, cartoonish medal, much less cheerers along the course, only one band during the entire race, disorganized water stations.

The ugly: race seemed more geared to marathoners than half marathoners even though it appeared there were a lot more half runners. For example, handwritten, small signs for half marathoners that were easily missed but nice, tall markers for marathoners, directions along the course said “marathon course”, more amenities for marathoners at starting line, etc. Also, really poor organization at the split between courses (noticed many people asking which direction or whether they were on the half-marathon course). No representation of UF at the finish line anymore. Also, change of course wasn’t announced until about a month before the race, angering a lot of people.

If the course stays the same, I’d consider running this again but this is no longer a priority race.