My Profile

@missmac17224

Sanford, NC Raving since 2018 50 States hopeful/finisher Active 1 day, 3 hours ago

About Me

  • Running club(s):

    Brick City Run Tribe

  • Rave race:
  • Race that's calling my name:
  • I run because:

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 (23)

Race Distance Location Date Result
24 hr Rockingham, NC Sep 30, 2023 65.9 mi
12 hr Erwin, NC Dec 9, 2023 37 mi
6 hr Erwin, NC Dec 10, 2022 28 mi
50 Miler Ellerbe, NC Jun 10, 2023 12:19:00
Dopey Challenge (48.6 Miles) Lake Buena Vista, FL Jan 9, 2022 10:41:34
50K Ellerbe, NC Nov 25, 2023 6:35:18
Marathon Myrtle Beach, SC Mar 5, 2022 4:48:13
Marathon Relay Greensboro, NC Feb 9, 2020 3:58:07
22 Miler Eastover, NC Sep 18, 2021 4:44:06
19.7 Miler Albemarle, NC Mar 6, 2021 4:16:48
25K Winston-Salem, NC Jan 6, 2023 3:19:15
Half Marathon Kiawah Island, SC Dec 14, 2019 2:11:19
20K Relay Hampstead, NC Aug 28, 2021 2:25:02
10 Miler Apex, NC Oct 23, 2021 1:39:33
16K Holly Springs, NC Apr 27, 2019 1:45:06
12K Aberdeen, NC Dec 7, 2019 1:13:18
10K Fayetteville, NC Nov 17, 2018 58:36
5 Miler Orlando, FL Oct 27, 2019 57:48
8K Raleigh, NC Nov 22, 2018 47:47
4 Miler Chapel Hill, NC Apr 9, 2022 39:08
5K Boston, MA Nov 6, 2021 28:13
2 Miler Orlando, FL Oct 27, 2019 19:24
1K Cary, NC Jun 8, 2019 15:46

Future Races (24)

Race Distance Location Date Paid
Half Marathon Wells, ME May 4, 2024
Half Marathon Conway, NH May 5, 2024
50 Miler Ellerbe, NC Jun 8, 2024
Half Marathon Kiowa, MT Jun 29, 2024
Half Marathon Clinton, IA Jul 10, 2024
Half Marathon Sparta, WI Jul 11, 2024
Half Marathon St Cloud, MN Jul 12, 2024
24 hr Rockingham, NC Sep 28, 2024
Marathon Chicago, IL Oct 13, 2024
Half Marathon Durham, NC Oct 20, 2024
Half Marathon Narragansett, RI Oct 27, 2024
Half Marathon Salina, KS Nov 2, 2024
Half Marathon Biloxi, MS Dec 15, 2024
15K Challenge (5K + 10K) Sanford, NC 2024
12 hr Erwin, NC 2024
8K Erwin, NC 2024
10K Coats, NC 2024
Half Marathon Lee's Summit, MO 2024
Marathon Little Rock, AR Mar 1, 2025
24 hr Laurinburg, NC 2025
Half Marathon Frederick, MD TBD
Half Marathon Ouray, CO TBD
Half Marathon Las Vegas, NV TBD
Marathon Bath, NY TBD

Past Races (151)

Race Distance Location Date Result My Raves My Performance
Half Marathon Woodville, AL Mar 23, 2024 2:43:33
Marathon Myrtle Beach, SC Mar 2, 2024 5:12:09
Half Marathon Ellerbe, NC Feb 24, 2024 3:00:02
19.7 Miler Albemarle, NC Feb 10, 2024 4:29:40
50K Ellerbe, NC Jan 27, 2024 7:37:50
Half Marathon Charleston, SC Jan 20, 2024 2:16:21
50K Winston-Salem, NC Jan 6, 2024 6:48:18
12 hr Erwin, NC Dec 9, 2023 37 mi
Half Marathon Durham, NC Dec 2, 2023 2:26:08
50K Ellerbe, NC Nov 25, 2023 6:35:18
5K Raleigh, NC Nov 23, 2023 30:04
Half Marathon Boston, MA Nov 12, 2023 2:13:03
Half Marathon Raleigh, NC Nov 5, 2023 2:15:39
Marathon Durham, NC Oct 29, 2023 5:08:26
5K Hamlet, NC Oct 28, 2023 28:55
Half Marathon Durham, NC Oct 15, 2023 2:23:28
Half Marathon Mandeville, LA Oct 8, 2023 2:16:09
24 hr Rockingham, NC Sep 30, 2023 65.9 mi
5K Sanford, NC Sep 23, 2023 31:00
10 Miler Pittston, PA Sep 3, 2023 1:46:44
5K Scranton, PA Sep 2, 2023 30:10
10K Sanford, NC Aug 26, 2023 1:11:53
5K Sanford, NC Aug 26, 2023 31:28
10 Miler New Hill, NC Jul 22, 2023 2:24:28
Half Marathon Cary, NC Jul 8, 2023 2:49:12
4 Miler Fayetteville, NC Jul 1, 2023 39:54
50 Miler Ellerbe, NC Jun 10, 2023 12:19:00
50 Miler Thurmond, WV May 21, 2023 13:14:35
10K Coats, NC May 13, 2023 1:04:09
Half Marathon Cincinnati, OH May 7, 2023 2:21:56
Half Marathon Indianapolis, IN May 6, 2023 2:21:13
50K Raleigh, NC Apr 16, 2023 9:30:01
Half Marathon Newark, DE Mar 25, 2023 2:17:22
Half Marathon Cary, NC Mar 19, 2023 2:24:36
Marathon Ellerbe, NC Feb 25, 2023 5:39:13
19.7 Miler Albemarle, NC Feb 11, 2023 4:22:21
10 Miler Hillsborough, NC Jan 29, 2023 2:04:58
Half Marathon Gibsonville, NC Jan 21, 2023 3:11:21
25K Winston-Salem, NC Jan 6, 2023 3:19:15
6 hr Erwin, NC Dec 10, 2022 28 mi
Half Marathon San Antonio, TX Dec 4, 2022 2:32:01
Half Marathon Raleigh, NC Nov 24, 2022 2:23:19
Half Marathon Holly Springs, NC Nov 19, 2022 2:23:21
5K Dunn, NC Nov 12, 2022 42:18
Half Marathon Raleigh, NC Nov 6, 2022 2:33:59
Half Marathon Long Beach, CA Oct 29, 2022 2:27:54
Half Marathon Greensboro, NC Oct 29, 2022 2:31:03
Half Marathon Chapel Hill, NC Oct 22, 2022 3:39:05
Half Marathon Hillsborough, NC Oct 2, 2022 2:31:03
24 hr Rockingham, NC Sep 24, 2022 33.07 mi
8K Erwin, NC Sep 17, 2022 49:32
Half Marathon Bellevue, WA Sep 4, 2022 2:20:36
10K Sanford, NC Aug 27, 2022 1:10:19
5K Sanford, NC Aug 27, 2022 32:20
10K Coats, NC Jul 30, 2022 1:10:36
10 Miler New Hill, NC Jul 23, 2022 2:18:46
4 Miler Fayetteville, NC Jul 4, 2022 39:11
Half Marathon Laketown, UT Jun 11, 2022 2:46:28
Half Marathon Cokeville, WY Jun 10, 2022 2:31:15
Half Marathon St Charles, ID Jun 9, 2022 2:42:16
Half Marathon Atlantic City, NJ May 15, 2022 2:20:26
Half Marathon Greensboro, NC Apr 30, 2022 2:58:20
4 Miler Chapel Hill, NC Apr 9, 2022 39:08
10 Miler Chapel Hill, NC Apr 9, 2022 1:52:17
Half Marathon Washington, DC Mar 26, 2022 2:18:59
10 Miler Greensboro, NC Mar 12, 2022 2:13:39
Marathon Myrtle Beach, SC Mar 5, 2022 4:48:13
Half Marathon Gibsonville, NC Feb 27, 2022 2:54:31
19.7 Miler Albemarle, NC Feb 12, 2022 4:26:42
Marathon Lake Buena Vista, FL Jan 9, 2022 6:09:10
Dopey Challenge (48.6 Miles) Lake Buena Vista, FL Jan 9, 2022 10:41:34
Half Marathon Lake Buena Vista, FL Jan 8, 2022 2:38:45
10K Lake Buena Vista, FL Jan 7, 2022 1:13:40
5K Lake Buena Vista, FL Jan 6, 2022 39:59
Marathon Kiawah Island, SC Dec 11, 2021 4:53:03
Half Marathon Raleigh, NC Nov 25, 2021 2:17:10
Half Marathon Greensboro, NC Nov 20, 2021 2:21:56
5K Boston, MA Nov 6, 2021 28:13
5K Hamlet, NC Oct 30, 2021 28:57
10 Miler Apex, NC Oct 23, 2021 1:39:33
Half Marathon Burns, TN Oct 10, 2021 3:26:10
24 hr Rockingham, NC Sep 25, 2021 63.27 mi
10K Greensboro, NC Sep 19, 2021 1:12:34
22 Miler Eastover, NC Sep 18, 2021 4:44:06
Half Marathon Virginia Beach, VA Sep 4, 2021 2:17:28
10K Sanford, NC Aug 28, 2021 1:23:28
5K Sanford, NC Aug 28, 2021 43:48
20K Relay Hampstead, NC Aug 28, 2021 2:25:02
5K Cleveland, OH Aug 14, 2021 29:49
Half Marathon Wellsboro, PA Jul 24, 2021 2:17:15
5K Greensboro, NC Jul 23, 2021 30:57
50K Ellerbe, NC Jun 5, 2021 7:10:47
Marathon Myrtle Beach, SC May 1, 2021 4:48:52
16K Holly Springs, NC Apr 24, 2021 1:54:58
5K Greensboro, NC Apr 18, 2021 31:24
10 Miler Greensboro, NC Mar 13, 2021 2:01:50
19.7 Miler Albemarle, NC Mar 6, 2021 4:16:48
Half Marathon Gibsonville, NC Feb 28, 2021 2:53:48
6 hr Erwin, NC Dec 12, 2020 26 mi
12K Aberdeen, NC Dec 5, 2020 1:14:20
Half Marathon Greensboro, NC Nov 21, 2020 2:13:22
5K Greensboro, NC Oct 4, 2020 28:54
5K Greensboro, NC Sep 6, 2020 29:55
5K Greensboro, NC Jul 24, 2020 31:45
10 Miler Greensboro, NC May 17, 2020 1:49:41
4 Miler Raleigh, NC Mar 21, 2020 43:40
10K Raleigh, NC Mar 21, 2020 1:02:41
10 Miler Greensboro, NC Mar 7, 2020 1:59:35
Half Marathon Gibsonville, NC Feb 23, 2020 2:39:06
Marathon Relay Greensboro, NC Feb 9, 2020 3:58:07
10 Miler Hillsborough, NC Jan 26, 2020 1:59:34
Half Marathon Kiawah Island, SC Dec 14, 2019 2:11:19
12K Aberdeen, NC Dec 7, 2019 1:13:18
8K Raleigh, NC Nov 28, 2019 49:20
Half Marathon Holly Springs, NC Nov 23, 2019 2:18:28
Half Marathon Savannah, GA Nov 2, 2019 2:13:52
5 Miler Orlando, FL Oct 27, 2019 57:48
2 Miler Orlando, FL Oct 27, 2019 19:24
4 Miler Raleigh, NC Oct 12, 2019 39:44
5K Sanford, NC Oct 5, 2019 31:59
10 Miler Chapel Hill, NC Sep 28, 2019 2:20:12
Half Marathon Montreal, Canada Sep 22, 2019 2:16:30
5K Raleigh, NC Sep 8, 2019 31:26
10K Sanford, NC Aug 24, 2019 1:05:44
5K Sanford, NC Aug 24, 2019 30:57
5K Fayetteville, NC Jul 13, 2019 29:07
4 Miler Fayetteville, NC Jul 4, 2019 40:26
1K Cary, NC Jun 8, 2019 15:46
Half Marathon Raleigh, NC Jun 1, 2019 2:32:25
10K Las Vegas, NV May 11, 2019 1:07:30
10K Fayetteville, NC May 4, 2019 1:02:48
16K Holly Springs, NC Apr 27, 2019 1:45:06
10 Miler Chapel Hill, NC Apr 13, 2019 1:54:27
4 Miler Raleigh, NC Mar 23, 2019 39:58
Half Marathon Durham, NC Mar 17, 2019 2:12:27
Half Marathon Kiawah Island, SC Dec 8, 2018 2:17:18
12K Aberdeen, NC Dec 1, 2018 1:17:59
8K Raleigh, NC Nov 22, 2018 47:47
10K Fayetteville, NC Nov 17, 2018 58:36
10 Miler San Antonio, TX Nov 10, 2018 1:42:53
10K Raleigh, NC Nov 4, 2018 1:02:23
Half Marathon Philadelphia, PA Sep 16, 2018 2:28:27
10K Sanford, NC Aug 25, 2018 1:03:23
5K Sanford, NC Aug 25, 2018 29:39
4 Miler Fayetteville, NC Jul 4, 2018 52:09
10K Fayetteville, NC May 5, 2018 1:08:13
Half Marathon Raleigh, NC Apr 8, 2018 2:32:15
Half Marathon Kiawah Island, SC Dec 9, 2017 2:41:49
10 Miler Apex, NC Oct 28, 2017 1:57:17
10K Sanford, NC Aug 26, 2017 1:19:59
5 Miler Raleigh, NC Feb 4, 2017 1:11:00

My Raves

I chose this half for my Alabama race and am glad I did. The course was hillier than I expected but running the last 1.2 miles inside Cathedral Caverns made … MORE

I chose this half for my Alabama race and am glad I did. The course was hillier than I expected but running the last 1.2 miles inside Cathedral Caverns made the hills worth it.

There was a nice finisher’s medal with a stained-glass effect and a long sleeve tech shirt.

Packet pickup was at a local Fleet Feet, or you could pick up the morning of the race.

We stayed at a hotel that was about 30 miles away.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
4

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As I have reviewed this race before, I'll just add a couple of comments. The course was changed very slightly this year to include a short section on the "boardwalk", … MORE

As I have reviewed this race before, I’ll just add a couple of comments.

The course was changed very slightly this year to include a short section on the “boardwalk”, which was really just a concrete path. The course exited before what I would consider an actual boardwalk.

This year was very overcast and foggy, so the ocean views weren’t as great as they could be.

I will run this again.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
2
SWAG
5

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This small race is run on a 13+ mile loop along paved rural roads. Run two of the loops for the full marathon. The course has some hills that can … MORE

This small race is run on a 13+ mile loop along paved rural roads. Run two of the loops for the full marathon. The course has some hills that can challenge the unprepared runner. Course support was adequate. Runners received a long sleeve tech shirt with finishers earning a medal and a locally made piece of pottery. Hot soup and quesadillas awaited the finishers.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
3
SWAG
4

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I have reviewed this before but have never mentioned that it's untimed and there are no results listed. There is no swag (with the exception of the shirt & certificate … MORE

I have reviewed this before but have never mentioned that it’s untimed and there are no results listed.

There is no swag (with the exception of the shirt & certificate for the first timer) but they do have shirts and other items available for purchase.

The Fellowship of the Idiot Run is a free 19.7-Mile Run that takes runners from the YMCA to the top of Morrow Mountain and back to the YMCA. It is a non-timed event. There is no charge for the run. For a free event, there is plenty of support along the way. First time “idiots” get a t-shirt and certificate. Since the run starts at 5 am, runners can get to the top of Morrow Mountain in time for a beautiful sunrise. This is a fun way to get in a long run and fits the training schedule perfectly for anyone training for the Myrtle Beach Marathon three weeks later.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
1

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This is a free event but has limited spots. The course is dirt road and sandy trail, with 3 loops of 10.4 to get to the 50k distance. Finishers received … MORE

This is a free event but has limited spots. The course is dirt road and sandy trail, with 3 loops of 10.4 to get to the 50k distance. Finishers received a commemorative coin with the year on it. Runners brought food for a potluck after.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
3
SWAG
3

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Packet pickup was well-organized and held at the baseball field. There was plenty of parking across the street, but most people tried to park in the small lot at the … MORE

Packet pickup was well-organized and held at the baseball field. There was plenty of parking across the street, but most people tried to park in the small lot at the field, which caused back-ups.

There were a couple of hotels within walking distance of the start/finish, so we were able to leave the hotel 20 minutes prior to the start, with ample time to get to our corral.

The course was flat with several out and back sections. There were plenty of beautiful houses along the course and we ran along the shoreline of the Ashley River. The course also went through the campus of The Citadel Military College, which I enjoyed.

The race finished outside the baseball field, with runners getting their medal, some snacks, water, and mylar blanket.

Inside the baseball field, runners were treated to a choice of hotdog or breakfast wrap, and two free beers (choice of Michelob ultra, a cider or an IPA).

A long sleeve tech shirt and short sleeve triblend shirt were included in the cost of the registration.

A final note: anyone who ran any of the distances offered at this race and at the Myrtle Beach race the first weekend in March will get extra “Bless Your Heart” medal.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
4

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New this year was the option to run 12.5k, in addition to the existing 25k, 50k and 50k relay. There was also a 5k the night before. The shirt was … MORE

New this year was the option to run 12.5k, in addition to the existing 25k, 50k and 50k relay. There was also a 5k the night before.

The shirt was a long sleeve tri-blend. The finisher’s awards were a custom handcrafted coaster.

The 50k had a 7-hour time limit, but an early start was permitted for those wanting extra time (they were just not eligible for awards).

Steady rain overnight and during the race resulted in a wet course that was muddy in spots. The 3 rating for course difficulty was because of the mud and standing water. Otherwise, I would have rated the course a 2, or even 1 in spots.

It was also a chilly day, so there were a lot of no-shows. The emcee did a fantastic job cheering on the runners throughout the event.

There was beer and broth post-race, in addition to some basic snacks.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
2
SWAG
4

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

Due to a washout in the trail, the course was changed slightly this year. The full out and back was 9 miles on the crushed gravel rail trail. There was … MORE

Due to a washout in the trail, the course was changed slightly this year. The full out and back was 9 miles on the crushed gravel rail trail. There was an aid station at each end of the trail, so 4.5 miles apart. In addition to a nutcracker themed medal, participants got a hooded sweatshirt.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
1
SWAG
5

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The majority of this race was on the American Tobacco Trail, all of which was paved. There was tons of parking as the start/finish was in the parking lot of … MORE

The majority of this race was on the American Tobacco Trail, all of which was paved. There was tons of parking as the start/finish was in the parking lot of an auto dealership.

Swag included a tech t-shirt and Christmas tree shaped medal that doubles as an ornament.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
4

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This 50k is three 10+ mile loops run on rural roads. There’s a short section of dirt road but the rest is paved. There are some very pretty sections, particularly … MORE

This 50k is three 10+ mile loops run on rural roads. There’s a short section of dirt road but the rest is paved. There are some very pretty sections, particularly Sycamore Lane.

All finishers received a medal and a local runner donated hand made pottery.

This event was the final race in the Mangum Track Club Challenge, which also included the Ellerbe marathon, Bethel Hill Moonlight Boogie 50 miler, Hinson Lake (100k minimum) and Seaboard Festival 5k. Finishers of the challenge received a huge belt buckle.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
5

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Adding to my prior reviews: 2023 shirt was optional (for a fee); 5k registration included socks, 10k had choice of socks or gloves; half got both. The ONLY Thanksgiving Day … MORE

Adding to my prior reviews: 2023 shirt was optional (for a fee); 5k registration included socks, 10k had choice of socks or gloves; half got both.

The ONLY Thanksgiving Day run in Raleigh that offers a half marathon, 10K, 5K, 1 Mile, and kid’s dash, and all are stroller and dog friendly.

I ran the half marathon, which had basically two different out and back sections. My watch registered over 940 feet of gain, so there’s plenty of hills. The races started at different times, so the beginning wasn’t crowded. The half merged with the 5k runners around mile 5, then merged with the 10k runners just before mile 6. Since the course was on roads, there was plenty of room for everyone.

There’s ample parking, a cute medal, soft t-shirt, and packets can be picked up on race morning,

The post-race offered a small water bottle, half a banana and bag of chips.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
3
SWAG
4

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Since I probably won’t ever qualify for the Boston Marathon, this is the only way I would get a unicorn medal. I absolutely love the long sleeve tech shirt. The … MORE

Since I probably won’t ever qualify for the Boston Marathon, this is the only way I would get a unicorn medal.

I absolutely love the long sleeve tech shirt.

The course was full of rolling hills and went past beautiful houses and country.

There were a couple of bottleneck areas but most of the time there was plenty of space for people to run.

Water stops were plentiful enough with one of them offering maurten gels.

The only real disappointment was there was no expo. Bibs were mailed and the shirts were picked up on race morning.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
4

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I reviewed this race last year, so I'll just add some updates this year. The organizers apparently listened to the complaints about parking, as they arranged for parking at two … MORE

I reviewed this race last year, so I’ll just add some updates this year.

The organizers apparently listened to the complaints about parking, as they arranged for parking at two nearby schools this year. They also addressed the prior complaints about awards, as this year, all age group awards are to be mailed.

The half marathon course has rolling hills, with the biggest hill between miles 5-6.

The swag this year was again a long sleeve tech shirt and medal with a spinning acorn. The free gift was a travel mug.

I stayed for the after party this year, mainly for the free beer 🙂

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
2
SWAG
4

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This race offered 5k, 10k, half marathon and marathon events. The half and marathon started together. The first mile or so was around the parking lot of the shopping mall … MORE

This race offered 5k, 10k, half marathon and marathon events. The half and marathon started together. The first mile or so was around the parking lot of the shopping mall before heading out to the American Tobacco Trail, a converted rail trail. The remaining distance was all on the trail, which is quite flat. The trail started out paved then went to crushed gravel, before turning around and returning to the start (minus the mile through the parking lot). There were adequate water/gatorade stops, with a couple of them offering gels.

The finisher’s medal was okay and age group winners got a slate coaster.

Everything was being packed up everyone finished and I’m not sure if the last handful of runners got any beer or pizza.

It wasn’t a bad race, but I did think it a little boring since it was a smaller race and not really anything to look as except trees.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
1
SWAG
3

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This was a railroad themed 5K going through a residential neighborhood with rolling hills. Finishers received a custom Railroad themed medal. The top 3 male and female finishers and top … MORE

This was a railroad themed 5K going through a residential neighborhood with rolling hills. Finishers received a custom Railroad themed medal. The top 3 male and female finishers and top male and female in the Masters and Grandmasters divisions received a cool lantern. The overall male and female also received a very nice walking stick. Age group medals (gold, silver & bronze versions of the finishers medal) were given to the top 3 in 10 year age groups.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
2
SWAG
5

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My main takeaway from this race is that it had gentle, rolling hills...until they weren't. The first 8-9 miles were not that difficult, then came the steeper hills late in … MORE

My main takeaway from this race is that it had gentle, rolling hills…until they weren’t. The first 8-9 miles were not that difficult, then came the steeper hills late in the race. I understand the course was changed a little bit this year to eliminate a couple of the out and back portions, so there was just one. The rest of the course was basically a loop.

The start/finish was just outside the Durham Bulls baseball park. This meant that there was ample parking in the parking decks only a 5-minute walk from the start/finish line. Although I didn’t stick around after, there was beer and food available.

The finisher’s medal was decent, and the t-shirt was a tech material. Bib mailing eliminated the need to go to packet pickup. The shirts were picked up on race day.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
2
SWAG
3

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This event had half marathon, 5 mile and 5k options. Packet pickup was available Friday, Saturday and race morning (Sunday). We flew into New Orleans on Saturday and went to … MORE

This event had half marathon, 5 mile and 5k options.

Packet pickup was available Friday, Saturday and race morning (Sunday). We flew into New Orleans on Saturday and went to packet pickup that day. We stayed at a hotel in nearby Slidell, which was a small town.

The race start/finish was at the Fontainebleau State Park. While there was ample parking, it’s best to arrive early. It was a single lane entry to the park, and it seemed everyone got there at the same time. It took close to 20 minutes to get parked. There was a restroom near where we parked, but also portapotties near the start/finish line.

The first ~4.5 miles were regular road, then we turned onto a road that ran along the shoreline of Lake Pontchartrain. The 5-milers ran just over a half mile along this road before getting to their turnaround. The turnaround for the half marathon was around mile 6.75 and went most of the way back along the course out. The course did turn onto a greenway around mile 9.6 (instead of going out to the main road), which led back into Fontainebleau Park.

After crossing the finish line, runners received their medal and had access to the post race party. The bibs had 3 food/drink tickets so runners could choose what they wanted to consume. There was a variety of Abita beers, pork sliders, veggie burgers, and crawfish! A band was also playing.

My friend received an age group award, which was an extra medal plus an engraved piece of slate. Very nice!

Runners also received a t-shirt.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
3
SWAG
3

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I did a full review two years ago, and all of that still applies. One thing I forgot to mention before is that in addition to a t-shirt, participants could … MORE

I did a full review two years ago, and all of that still applies. One thing I forgot to mention before is that in addition to a t-shirt, participants could choose either a coffee cup or pint glass with the current year on it. I now have two pint glasses and one coffee cup. I plan on adding one or the other every year I’m physically able to run.

One final note: registration opens at 12:01 am on New Year’s Day and sells out usually within a day, two at most. There is a wait list once registration reaches 500. My understanding is that everyone who has been on the waitlist had the opportunity to register due to the number of people who eventually said they would not be able to make the event.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
3
SWAG
4

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This 5k was a small event and consisted of two loops of the cross country course. The course was well marked and very runnable, with larger roots painted white for … MORE

This 5k was a small event and consisted of two loops of the cross country course.

The course was well marked and very runnable, with larger roots painted white for visibility.

The weather was not great, which I believed affected participation.

Swag included a small finishers medal and a cotton t-shirt.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
2
SCENERY
3
SWAG
2

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This race was very well-organized with great swag. The race expo was large, especially for an inaugural race. The course was a flat point to point. Runners were shuttled from … MORE

This race was very well-organized with great swag. The race expo was large, especially for an inaugural race.

The course was a flat point to point. Runners were shuttled from the local casino/convention center parking lot to the start line, and shuttled back from the finish line. The highlight of the course was crossing the Susquehanna River near the finish.

There was a finisher’s medal and a VERY nice quarter zip pullover. Finisher’s also received free sunglasses at the finish line.

Even the bib was well thought out as it was in the shape of the State of Pennsylvania, customized with the runner’s first name.

If I still lived in PA, this would probably be one of my favorite races.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
5

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This was a very well-organized memorial race with lots of sponsors. It also coincided with a local Italian festival, adding a wonderful atmosphere to the entire event. The course is … MORE

This was a very well-organized memorial race with lots of sponsors. It also coincided with a local Italian festival, adding a wonderful atmosphere to the entire event.

The course is probably the simplest I have run for a race: down one street, turn right and go one block over, return on a parallel street. There were a couple of hilly spots where I walked for a few seconds. I managed to snag one of the age group awards and…WOW! I received a large tote bag, $50 restaurant gift certificate, $25 gift certificate at another restaurant, certificate for an ice cream pie from a local dairy, and a certificate for 2 lbs of cookies from a local pastry shop. I would have considered these great prizes for overall winners, let alone age group winners. The overall winners prizes were even better and valued at least $1500, and more!

DIFFICULTY
3
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4
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3
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4

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I've reviewed this race before, so I'll just update for 2023. The biggest complaint/disappointment was the fact the city/county was supposed to unlock the restrooms at 6:30. For unknown reasons, … MORE

I’ve reviewed this race before, so I’ll just update for 2023.

The biggest complaint/disappointment was the fact the city/county was supposed to unlock the restrooms at 6:30. For unknown reasons, the restrooms were not open until after the 5k started.

The 5k started at 7:30 and the 10k started at 8:15. This allowed challenge runners 45 minutes to complete the 5k before running the 10k. It was not a strict cutoff, so runners were able to complete the challenge even if they did not finish the 5k in 45 minutes.

DIFFICULTY
3
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3
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2
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2

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I've reviewed this race before, so I'll just update for 2023. The biggest complaint/disappointment was the fact the city/county was supposed to unlock the restrooms at 6:30. For unknown reasons, … MORE

I’ve reviewed this race before, so I’ll just update for 2023.

The biggest complaint/disappointment was the fact the city/county was supposed to unlock the restrooms at 6:30. For unknown reasons, the restrooms were not open until after the 5k started.

The 5k started at 7:30 and the 10k started at 8:15. This allowed challenge runners 45 minutes to complete the 5k before running the 10k. It was not a strict cutoff, so runners were able to complete the challenge even if they did not finish the 5k in 45 minutes.

DIFFICULTY
3
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2
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2
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2

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Since I reviewed this race last year, I’ll just add some more details. Course: while most of the course is a generally soft trail, the beginning (and on the 2nd … MORE

Since I reviewed this race last year, I’ll just add some more details.

Course: while most of the course is a generally soft trail, the beginning (and on the 2nd lap of the 10-mile course) has crushed stone that can be uncomfortable with softer soled shoes. My altra superior come with an optional stone guard and I wish I had used them.

After the race: there were games and prizes after the awards were given out. The prizes were just little stuff, but I thought it a nice touch. There was also a variety of food available including nonalcoholic beer.

DIFFICULTY
4
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4
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4
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3

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Our soles were definitely sizzling as it was quite hot for this inaugural race. The race was well organized. Runners were started one at a time, a few seconds apart, … MORE

Our soles were definitely sizzling as it was quite hot for this inaugural race. The race was well organized. Runners were started one at a time, a few seconds apart, to lessen crowding on the greenway. I thought this worked very well. The course itself started on a school track then went out to a local greenway. Half marathoners ran the full course twice with 10k runners running it once. The course was NOT USTAF certified. Finishers received a medal and a nice drawstring bag. Shirts were available for purchase.

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3
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3
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3
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3

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I've reviewed this race before, so I'll comment on this year's event. The timing company had some technical difficulties, which took them several days to work out and publish the … MORE

I’ve reviewed this race before, so I’ll comment on this year’s event. The timing company had some technical difficulties, which took them several days to work out and publish the final results. Age group awards were given out on the day of the race though.

The tank this year is 100% cotton as opposed to being tech material like last year.

The course was changed slightly to lessen confusion at a traffic circle but apparently people still complained about the course being confusing. I had no problem with the course.

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3
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3
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3
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2

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This was a no frills, laid back race offering marathon and 50 mile distances. Both races start at the same time which happens to be 6 pm. This very hilly … MORE

This was a no frills, laid back race offering marathon and 50 mile distances. Both races start at the same time which happens to be 6 pm. This very hilly course has a 6 mile loop followed by a 4 mile out and back. 50 milers did the full course 5 times. Marathoners did an initial .2 side out and back, then two full laps and a final 6 mile loop.

Parking was along the course at the start/finish area, at the junction of the 6 mile loop and 4 mile out and back. Runners were then able to use their vehicles as their personal aid stops. There were on course aid stations and the start/finish line plus along the 6 mile loop, offering the usual race fare.

Definitely bring a head lamp and bug spray, along with sunscreen (it was 84 degrees at the start, with just partial shade).

All finishers received a locally made pottery mug.

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Highball to Thurmond offered 55k, 50 mile relay and 50 mile solo options. My review will be about the 50 miler. I will include what I did for this race … MORE

Highball to Thurmond offered 55k, 50 mile relay and 50 mile solo options. My review will be about the 50 miler. I will include what I did for this race and whether it worked for me. Or not.

For the 50 miler, runners could choose to start early, at 4:45 am. They would not be eligible for awards but would have a 14 hour time limit. The regular start time was 6 am, with a 12.75 hour time limit. The time limits for the 50 mile race were mainly for the train. Since the 50 mile course was point to point, runners had the option of taking an Amtrak train from the finish line back to the start, or else make their own transportation arrangements. The course started in Montgomery, WV, went through New River Gorge National Park and finished in Thurmond, WV.

I chose the 4:45 am start, which worked well for me, as I was able to make the cutoffs. Due to miscalculating how long it would take me to get ready and get to the start, I arrived at the start area at 4:41 am. This worked out, as I was able to park about half a block from the start line. I would not recommend doing this though, as it was all street parking and I just plain got lucky 😂.

The first 9 miles consisted of rolling hills, then the next 10 or so were gravel/dirt roads and a more serious, 4 or so mile climb. There was then a two mile descent, with some waterfalls along the side of the road. After going across Hawk’s Nest Dam, this brought me to the first drop bag location. I switched from road shoes to trail shoes, which worked out well. I did not have the rock guards in my Altra trail shoes, but I wish did. There were parts of the course that has some sharp rocks underfoot. I would also include bug spray in the first drop bag.

Mile 20 or so was when the trail running began, starting with a steep but thankfully short climb to a single track trail. There were rock cliffs on one side of the trail and steep drop offs on the other side. Parts of the trail (both here and later on) were muddy, but not terribly so.

The trails varied between technical single track, flat rail trail, and steep, rocky descents and ascents. The section of trail descending to Kaymoor Miners Trail had wooden steps and rock steps. My trail shoes did fail me a bit. The first time, both feet slid forward out from under me as I was going down a steep part, landing me on my butt. No harm done. That time. While trying to be cautious on the rocks, my toes had a tendency to slide forward in the shoes despite using a heel lock method of lacing. This caused bruised toes and I will lose at least one toenail.

There were some brief sections of road when connecting between some trails. Some trails had a steep drop off to one side, so be careful if you’re afraid of heights. Or have a fear of tripping and stumbling down the side of a mountain, like I do.

The second bag drop was at roughly mile 40. I definitely needed the bug spray that I had in there but might have preferred another change of shoes. I think trail shoes were still needed (more on that shortly) but maybe some with more cushion. There was a fairly steep paved section that my knees and quads didn’t like as my zero drop trail shoes just didn’t provide enough cushion.

After following a fairly flat rail trail for a few miles after that, there was one final brief but very steep ascent. This climb was just that…a steep 300 foot climb up a rocky trail, more suitable for hiking with poles. Unless you use your hands to practically pull yourself up the trail. A nice wide and flat rail trail with a couple wooden bridges was the reward for completing that ascent.

The last mile and a half or so was paved and I once again wished for a more cushioned shoe. This section is also the namesake of this race, being that you could “highball” it into the town of Thurmond. Crossing the finish line, you were given your medal, which had an enclosed train that slid back and forth, and doubles as a drink coaster. There were refreshments waiting along with our third and final drop bag. I had a change of clothes in my bag, but purposefully did not include another pair of shoes. I might have enjoyed a pair of recovery sandals, but knew I would be afraid to see what my feet looked like after 50 miles.

Since I finished within the time limit, I was able to grab a sloppy joe and some chocolate milk after changing my clothes. Those of us that purchased a train ticket then went to the Amtrak station to catch the 6:59 train. Since the train didn’t actually show up until 7:30, the race organizers popped the champagne bottles early, on the station platform. The train ride took about 50 minutes and was a nice way to chat with other people with the same interests and had also just completed the same awesome achievement. Champagne continued to flow. Race director Rich spent time talking to every runner in the train car, once again proving how much he cares about the runners.

The entire course was very well marked and easy to follow. There were 8 aid stations, stocked with a variety of foods, tailwind, and water. I did wear my hydration vest, which was a very wise choice. The volunteers at the aid stations were very helpful and supportive, and seemed more like your own personal crew. There were so many beautiful sections of trail that I ended up taking over 100 pictures during the run. I could not resist photo-documenting this achievement.

A couple of notes about the 55k: this route was an out and back that started at 7 am in Thurmond, where the 50 mile runners finished. The 55k runners had the dubious pleasure of both descending and ascending the 300 feet rocky trail on the side of the mountain. They also would have to contend with two way traffic on the section of trail that had the big drop off and was barely wide enough for single file. Taking the train after finishing wasn’t really an option for them either.

Pre-race stuff: there was TONS of communications prior to the race. Personalized coaching including a custom training plan was available for $20. I did this and credit the Coach Becki and the plan for helping me be prepared for this run. There were two virtual meetings with Rich, Jen and Becki so that runners could ask questions and get advice. A nice tech shirt was included but a jacket was available for purchase. I had preordered the jacket and was pleased with my purchase. There was a mandatory meeting the night before (or you could join the virtual meeting a couple days before). There was an optional pasta dinner following the meeting. Packet pick-up, the preface meeting and pasta dinner were held at the Historic Glen Ferris Inn, which is also where I chose to lodge for this race. The athlete guide detailed the course section by section and included all the details one might need. It even listed what foods and flavors of tailwind would be at each aid station. I took a screenshot of the page with the time cutoffs, so I could reference it during the run to be sure I would make the cutoffs in time.

While parts of the trails were quite difficult for me, I am immensely happy that I chose this 50 mile race. Trivium Racing is easily my favorite race organizer.

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This is a nice, small, local race and is one of three races put on by the Harnett Area Running Club. All participants got a shirt, top 3 overall male … MORE

This is a nice, small, local race and is one of three races put on by the Harnett Area Running Club. All participants got a shirt, top 3 overall male & female got a medal, and top age group winners got a medal.

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3
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This was a great race, with over 15,000 marathoners, half marathoners and marathon relay teams on Sunday. There were other events held on Saturday. I would describe the course as … MORE

This was a great race, with over 15,000 marathoners, half marathoners and marathon relay teams on Sunday.

There were other events held on Saturday.

I would describe the course as starting with flats and rolling hills, a HUGE climb miles 6-7, some more flats and rolling hills and then a downhill finish for the last 3 miles.

Since this year was a lot of pouring rain with thunder & lightning, I didn’t get to see much as far as scenery goes, at least for the first several miles.

Despite the rain, there were many people along the course, cheering on the runners. Mile 5 seems to be a famous part of the course for crowd support.

The aid stations were plentiful, offering gatorade and water. Random people were also handing out cookies, candy, and even samples of beer.

I enjoyed this race even though we were drenched and I got massive amounts of chafing from running in soaked clothes. I would run this one again.

DIFFICULTY
3
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5
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2
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5
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This is probably now my favorite half marathon. The course was mostly flat and runners ran roughly 2.5 miles around the racetrack of Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Many chose to stop … MORE

This is probably now my favorite half marathon. The course was mostly flat and runners ran roughly 2.5 miles around the racetrack of Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Many chose to stop and kiss the famous bricks at the start/finish line of the racetrack.

The major positive aspects of this race (to me):
1. Running on the track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
2. Water stations were marked in advance with huge banners and were on both sides of the course
3. The was entertainment along the entire course, with a very wide range of musical genres

I would run this one probably every year if I lived locally.

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I entered the 50k distance. There was an 8 hour time limit. What they did not tell you was that you had to be at the halfway turnaround in 4 … MORE

I entered the 50k distance. There was an 8 hour time limit. What they did not tell you was that you had to be at the halfway turnaround in 4 hours. I missed this cutoff by less than 10 minutes. If I had known of this cutoff, I would have pushed harder. Being a 50k, I was trying to reserve energy for later in the race. They gave me the choice of catching a car ride back to the start or removing my bib and return on foot (the course was out-and-back). I chose to remove my bib and finish the distance that I paid for. Since I was no longer under a time constraint, I walked a lot of the second half and took pictures of the scenery and wildlife. The race director still gave me a finisher’s medal even though officially I was listed as DNF.

The trail itself was muddy in spots and filled with rocks and roots for the entire distance, with the exception of a few spots where you had to go along a road to reach the next trail section.

Trail markings were almost exclusively those for the Mountains to Sea Trail itself and easy to follow.

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4
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2
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2
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2

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For some reason, I always thought of Delaware as a flat state. This course made me think again. While much of it was fairly flat, there was a neighborhood or … MORE

For some reason, I always thought of Delaware as a flat state. This course made me think again. While much of it was fairly flat, there was a neighborhood or two that required some hill climbs. The course was along city streets, a greenway and through neighborhoods.

Runners received a long sleeve tech shirt and a truckers cap. The finisher’s medal was a little plain but had a spinning middle.

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3
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3

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Most of the race is along the American Tobacco Trail, a converted rail-trail. It's also mostly flat. There was a nice tech shirt and finisher's medal. MORE

Most of the race is along the American Tobacco Trail, a converted rail-trail. It’s also mostly flat. There was a nice tech shirt and finisher’s medal.

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2
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3
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1
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3

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This small race is run on a 13+ mile loop along paved rural roads. Run two of the loops for the full marathon. The course has some hills that can … MORE

This small race is run on a 13+ mile loop along paved rural roads. Run two of the loops for the full marathon. The course has some hills that can challenge the unprepared runner. Course support was adequate. Runners received a long sleeve tech shirt with finishers earning a medal and a locally made piece of pottery. Hot soup and quesadillas awaited the finishers.

DIFFICULTY
4
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4
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3
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4

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Dry weather leading up to the race makes a big difference in the trail conditions. This year, the trail had just one small spot of mud. The first 3 or … MORE

Dry weather leading up to the race makes a big difference in the trail conditions. This year, the trail had just one small spot of mud. The first 3 or so miles is mostly flat greenway. Then the trail starts with a lot of wooden steps, a serious hill climb in the middle on a utility road. After coming back down the mountain utility road, you get back on single track trail that runs along thew Eno river. This was my favorite part of the race, as it was peaceful, running along the river and through a grove of mountain laurel. There were some more wooden steps to climb before the end of the trail section and heading back to the greenway for the return to the finish line.

The race started and finished on the historic Occoneechee Speedway, which I thought supercool. Chili and hot coffee was provided at the finish.

Registered runners got a winter hat that featured the race logo and had reflective properties.

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4
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4
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3
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3

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I've reviewed this race before, so I will just add details specific to this year. The race was moved a month ahead to January instead of February. This is probably … MORE

I’ve reviewed this race before, so I will just add details specific to this year.

The race was moved a month ahead to January instead of February. This is probably why the trails were in the best condition of the 4 times I’ve run this race. The course was also slightly different as they needed to avoid a part of the trail that was being worked on.

The hooded sweatshirt was great as always.

The medal featured a beautiful stained-glass effect.

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5
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5
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4
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4

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I think the best aspect of this event was the handcrafted ceramic coaster for all finishers. There was a different design for the 25k & 50k. The race was a … MORE

I think the best aspect of this event was the handcrafted ceramic coaster for all finishers. There was a different design for the 25k & 50k.

The race was a ~7.75 loop around Lake Salem. 25k runners ran 2 loops, 4 loops for 50k. The trail was mostly crushed gravel with a section of pavement.

Parking was ample. T-shirt was long sleeved blend. I heard there was beer afterward.

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With options of 3, 6 or 12 hours, this is a great choice for someone wanting to run their first ultra. Some runners run in costume. The course is a … MORE

With options of 3, 6 or 12 hours, this is a great choice for someone wanting to run their first ultra. Some runners run in costume. The course is a converted rail to trail out and back of 5 miles each way (10 miles total). Once you do as many of the 10-mile out and backs that you can within your event, you start doing the shorter 1 mile out and backs until time runs out. Runners can also stop at any time they choose…there is no pressure to run more than you want to. This year, there was a nutcracker medal in addition to a hoodie.

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Rock n Roll knows how to put on an event. The expo was quite large, in the convention center. We went 3 times: our initial bib pick-up, then to go … MORE

Rock n Roll knows how to put on an event.

The expo was quite large, in the convention center. We went 3 times: our initial bib pick-up, then to go back to exchange a shirt, then a 3rd time when our friends arrived. There was different merchandise added each time, so we ended buying something on each visit.

The start was very crowded…imagine 9000+ runners plus their family friends, in a two-block area. The corrals were doubled, meaning 1 & 11 were supposed to be in the same area, 2 & 12, 3 & 13. etc. The higher number corrals were supposed to wait until the lower number corrals started, but there was no attempt to enforce this. The gear drop was at the finish line, which was a couple blocks from the start line. I’d recommend not utilizing the bag drop unless you really need to. Since we stayed at a hotel, we ended up walking almost two miles before the race even started!

Rock n Roll races are always fun, with lots of entertainment and cheering crowds along the course. This one was mostly flat, with the most elevation gain during the 3 or so miles on the military base, Fort Sam Houston. This was also the prettiest section of the course.

We did not stick around for the after-party as it was chilly and our friends had to check out of their hotel.

San Antonio is one of the better host cities for RnR, with lots to see & do in the area, including the Alamo, Riverwalk, zoo, parks and Tower of the Americas. It’s definitely worth going for a couple extra days.

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5
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3
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3

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The ONLY Thanksgiving Day run in Raleigh that offers a half marathon, 10K, 5K, 1 Mile, and kid's dash, and all are stroller and dog friendly. I ran the half … MORE

The ONLY Thanksgiving Day run in Raleigh that offers a half marathon, 10K, 5K, 1 Mile, and kid’s dash, and all are stroller and dog friendly.

I ran the half marathon, which had basically two different out and back sections. My watch registered over 940 feet of gain, so there’s plenty of hills. The races started at different times, so the beginning wasn’t crowded. The half merged with the 5k runners around mile 5, then merged with the 10k runners just before mile 6. Since the course was on roads, there was plenty of room for everyone.

There’s ample parking, a cute medal, soft t-shirt, and packets can be picked up on race morning,

The post-race offered a small water bottle, half a banana and bag of chips.

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3
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3
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4

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The course for this race starts at a sports complex and winds through a couple of parks, through town, around a lake, and up and down hills. It’s run on … MORE

The course for this race starts at a sports complex and winds through a couple of parks, through town, around a lake, and up and down hills. It’s run on roads, greenways and a mulch trail around a lake. The shirt was a decent long sleeve triblend tee.

Packets cannot be picked up on race morning, unless you pay for it. They also offer a VIP package, which includes race morning packet pickup, special parking, shower facility and special access to the post-race beer and pancake breakfast.

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3
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4
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3
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4

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This was a small race, with no frills. Participants got a t-shirt. Medals were awarded for top 3 overall and top in each 10-year age group in each gender. The … MORE

This was a small race, with no frills. Participants got a t-shirt. Medals were awarded for top 3 overall and top in each 10-year age group in each gender. The course was flat and ran through neighborhoods. Parking was ample at the start/finish line at a small park.

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2
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3
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2
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3

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The course was a little hilly but it was well marked and had great support. The shirt was an awesome long-sleeve tech. The medal was cool, with a spinning middle. … MORE

The course was a little hilly but it was well marked and had great support. The shirt was an awesome long-sleeve tech. The medal was cool, with a spinning middle. There was an after party, but I didn’t attend due to another obligation. Overall, it was a well-run race with 4 distances to choose from. My only complaint was the parking. Parking was basically “find a local neighborhood to park in”, so with around 6000 runners, we had a nearly mile walk to the start/finish area.

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I have mixed feelings about this event. The pros: TONS of free race photos. Flat course. Just over 2-mile out and back that breaks up the distance. Very laid-back event. … MORE

I have mixed feelings about this event.

The pros: TONS of free race photos. Flat course. Just over 2-mile out and back that breaks up the distance. Very laid-back event.

Cons: Just over 2-mile out and back that can be boring with nothing to look at except sand and water.

State # 13 with half marathon or longer (plus DC & Canada)

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I was unable to run this event in person, but I wanted the super cool medal. This was the final race of 4 trail races where the medals connect to … MORE

I was unable to run this event in person, but I wanted the super cool medal. This was the final race of 4 trail races where the medals connect to form a larger medal, in the shape of a spider’s web. Rich, Lib and the entire Trivium Racing team are the greatest and I highly recommend their races.

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3
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5
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3
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5

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This was a very difficult course. As the name says, there were lots of roots and rocks on this single loop course. The trail was well-marked for the event. The … MORE

This was a very difficult course. As the name says, there were lots of roots and rocks on this single loop course. The trail was well-marked for the event. The shirt and medal were nice. The race director showed he cared about all aspects of the event.

DIFFICULTY
5
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5
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4
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4

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The half marathon course had some hills, long gradual ups and downs that tested the calves and quads. It was mostly road with some greenway/riverwalk. The cool part was running … MORE

The half marathon course had some hills, long gradual ups and downs that tested the calves and quads. It was mostly road with some greenway/riverwalk. The cool part was running around an old NASCAR dirt track. The medal was decent as was the t-shirt. The 3 1/2 time limit meant there were few walkers.

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3
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3

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I pretty much covered everything in my review from last year. I can add that there was a long-time participant named Bill that recently passed away doing what he loved...running. … MORE

I pretty much covered everything in my review from last year. I can add that there was a long-time participant named Bill that recently passed away doing what he loved…running. He had accumulated over 1150 miles at Hinson and was honored on the event shirt this year.

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3

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The course was mostly rolling hills with a couple of steep hills (but thankfully short). There was no finisher medal but they did award top 3 overall male and female … MORE

The course was mostly rolling hills with a couple of steep hills (but thankfully short). There was no finisher medal but they did award top 3 overall male and female as well as the top finisher in 10-year age groups. All runners did get a nice t-shirt. The race was very small with only 21 finishers, but it was still enjoyable. The small participation was likely due to this being the first year of the race and small town location. I do applaud the Harnett Area Running Club for trying to expand running in the area.

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2

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Just like most Rock n Roll races, this race had music on the course, great aid stations, medical tents on the course, a nice medal, a nice tech shirt and … MORE

Just like most Rock n Roll races, this race had music on the course, great aid stations, medical tents on the course, a nice medal, a nice tech shirt and lots of runners. There was a monster mile-long hill in the middle and an uphill finish at the end. The nicest feature of the course was all the trees along most of the route that provided plenty of shade. The host city of Bellevue was pleasant.

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This is Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption's (CARA) largest fundraising event of the year. I ran the challenge, which was running both the 5k & the 10k. The 5k started … MORE

This is Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption’s (CARA) largest fundraising event of the year. I ran the challenge, which was running both the 5k & the 10k. The 5k started at 7:30, the 10k at 8:00. Like all previous years, only the challenge runners received a finisher’s medal and age group awards were given to the top finisher of each age group. Cotton/poly blend shirts were available to purchase. Starting at Kiwanis Park, both races ran along the greenway and into residential areas, with the 10k following an additional 3 miles worth of greenway.

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This is Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption's (CARA) largest fundraising event of the year. I ran the challenge, which was running both the 5k & the 10k. The 5k started … MORE

This is Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption’s (CARA) largest fundraising event of the year. I ran the challenge, which was running both the 5k & the 10k. The 5k started at 7:30, the 10k at 8:00. Like all previous years, only the challenge runners received a finisher’s medal and age group awards were given to the top finisher of each age group. Cotton/poly blend shirts were available to purchase. Starting at Kiwanis Park, both races ran along the greenway and into residential areas, with the 10k following an additional 3 miles worth of greenway.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
3
SWAG
3

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This was a small race put on by a local running club. The 8 am start time made for a hot race, especially with the hills. Registrants got a t-shirt. … MORE

This was a small race put on by a local running club. The 8 am start time made for a hot race, especially with the hills. Registrants got a t-shirt. Medals were awarded for the top 3 in the age groups (mostly 10-year groups).

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
3
SWAG
3

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This event offered a 5 (actually 5.5) mile and a 10 mile run. Both started at the same time, with the 10 mile route being two loops of the 5 … MORE

This event offered a 5 (actually 5.5) mile and a 10 mile run. Both started at the same time, with the 10 mile route being two loops of the 5 miler. The course was mainly double and single track trails with occasional views of the lake. The trails were not overly technical, but there were plenty of roots/stumps to watch out for. The race didn’t start until 8 AM, so it was quite hot by the time I finished the 10 mile race. Runners got a nice short sleeved shirt. Pint glasses were given as age group awards.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
3

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Limited to 300 runners this year, this was a small local race. There was a decent sized hill in the first mile. Runners got a tech tank top and medal … MORE

Limited to 300 runners this year, this was a small local race. There was a decent sized hill in the first mile. Runners got a tech tank top and medal for finishers. Age group awards were a medal with 1st, 2nd or 3rd. The best part of this race was seeing so many people dressed in red, white & blue.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
2
SWAG
3

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Bear Lake Trifecta-3 races, 3 states, 3 days The Bear Lake Trifecta offered both full and half marathon options. I chose half marathon, with Idaho being on Thursday, Wyoming on … MORE

Bear Lake Trifecta-3 races, 3 states, 3 days
The Bear Lake Trifecta offered both full and half marathon options. I chose half marathon, with Idaho being on Thursday, Wyoming on Friday and Utah on Saturday. We stayed in Garden City, Utah, which was a quaint and very friendly little town. The Idaho race was 25 minutes away from there, the Wyoming race was 50 minutes away and the Utah race was in Garden City itself. There were plenty of beautiful views in the area, including Bear Lake itself. We even went to the Teton mountains, about 3 hours away.
The T-shirts were tech material, with all featuring the same design. The bear logo and state name were a different color to designate which state it was for. The finishers medals were the same shape and design for each state. The ribbon and bear logo on the medal were different colors, depending on the state.
Each race was a timed out and back, with a rolling start and 100-120 runners completing the half marathon distance. Each race had water/aid stops roughly every two miles, with a porta potty every other water stop. A deejay welcomed runners back as they finished each race. The age group awards were just like the finishers medal, but were gold, silver or bronze. Runners who completed all 3 races received a nice medal hanger featuring the bear.
This series of races was difficult for me, but not because of the 3 races/3 states/3 days. I was not accustomed to the altitude (6000-6500 feet above sea level). While not sore at all, my legs felt like they just did not want to move, from the very beginning! I was surprised by just how much the altitude slowed me down.
Idaho-Idaho had the best views, especially of Bear Lake. My watch registered over 500 feet of gain. The mountains provided some shade early, but the race ended with lots of sun exposure.
Wyoming-Wyoming was the flattest of the three, yet my watch still registered over 380 feet of gain. Wyoming was also the coolest of the three days.
Utah-Utah had the longest and steepest hills and was my least favorite of the 3 races. My watch registered over 600 feet of gain. This course started in the middle of town, so we didn’t get the great views until after mile 4. The middle 3 or so miles was on dirt/rock trail that went up in the hills of sagebrush. We had to watch our steps, not just for rocks and ruts, but also cowpies!
I’m glad I completed this series but was even more glad when it was done…the running anyway!

DIFFICULTY
5
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
4

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Bear Lake Trifecta-3 races, 3 states, 3 days The Bear Lake Trifecta offered both full and half marathon options. I chose half marathon, with Idaho being on Thursday, Wyoming on … MORE

Bear Lake Trifecta-3 races, 3 states, 3 days
The Bear Lake Trifecta offered both full and half marathon options. I chose half marathon, with Idaho being on Thursday, Wyoming on Friday and Utah on Saturday. We stayed in Garden City, Utah, which was a quaint and very friendly little town. The Idaho race was 25 minutes away from there, the Wyoming race was 50 minutes away and the Utah race was in Garden City itself. There were plenty of beautiful views in the area, including Bear Lake itself. We even went to the Teton mountains, about 3 hours away.
The T-shirts were tech material, with all featuring the same design. The bear logo and state name were a different color to designate which state it was for. The finishers medals were the same shape and design for each state. The ribbon and bear logo on the medal were different colors, depending on the state.
Each race was a timed out and back, with a rolling start and 100-120 runners completing the half marathon distance. Each race had water/aid stops roughly every two miles, with a porta potty every other water stop. A deejay welcomed runners back as they finished each race. The age group awards were just like the finishers medal, but were gold, silver or bronze. Runners who completed all 3 races received a nice medal hanger featuring the bear.
This series of races was difficult for me, but not because of the 3 races/3 states/3 days. I was not accustomed to the altitude (6000-6500 feet above sea level). While not sore at all, my legs felt like they just did not want to move, from the very beginning! I was surprised by just how much the altitude slowed me down.
Idaho-Idaho had the best views, especially of Bear Lake. My watch registered over 500 feet of gain. The mountains provided some shade early, but the race ended with lots of sun exposure.
Wyoming-Wyoming was the flattest of the three, yet my watch still registered over 380 feet of gain. Wyoming was also the coolest of the three days.
Utah-Utah had the longest and steepest hills and was my least favorite of the 3 races. My watch registered over 600 feet of gain. This course started in the middle of town, so we didn’t get the great views until after mile 4. The middle 3 or so miles was on dirt/rock trail that went up in the hills of sagebrush. We had to watch our steps, not just for rocks and ruts, but also cowpies!
I’m glad I completed this series but was even more glad when it was done…the running anyway!

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
4

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

Bear Lake Trifecta-3 races, 3 states, 3 days The Bear Lake Trifecta offered both full and half marathon options. I chose half marathon, with Idaho being on Thursday, Wyoming on … MORE

Bear Lake Trifecta-3 races, 3 states, 3 days
The Bear Lake Trifecta offered both full and half marathon options. I chose half marathon, with Idaho being on Thursday, Wyoming on Friday and Utah on Saturday. We stayed in Garden City, Utah, which was a quaint and very friendly little town. The Idaho race was 25 minutes away from there, the Wyoming race was 50 minutes away and the Utah race was in Garden City itself. There were plenty of beautiful views in the area, including Bear Lake itself. We even went to the Teton mountains, about 3 hours away.
The T-shirts were tech material, with all featuring the same design. The bear logo and state name were a different color to designate which state it was for. The finishers medals were the same shape and design for each state. The ribbon and bear logo on the medal were different colors, depending on the state.
Each race was a timed out and back, with a rolling start and 100-120 runners completing the half marathon distance. Each race had water/aid stops roughly every two miles, with a porta potty every other water stop. A deejay welcomed runners back as they finished each race. The age group awards were just like the finishers medal, but were gold, silver or bronze. Runners who completed all 3 races received a nice medal hanger featuring the bear.
This series of races was difficult for me, but not because of the 3 races/3 states/3 days. I was not accustomed to the altitude (6000-6500 feet above sea level). While not sore at all, my legs felt like they just did not want to move, from the very beginning! I was surprised by just how much the altitude slowed me down.
Idaho-Idaho had the best views, especially of Bear Lake. My watch registered over 500 feet of gain. The mountains provided some shade early, but the race ended with lots of sun exposure.
Wyoming-Wyoming was the flattest of the three, yet my watch still registered over 380 feet of gain. Wyoming was also the coolest of the three days.
Utah-Utah had the longest and steepest hills and was my least favorite of the 3 races. My watch registered over 600 feet of gain. This course started in the middle of town, so we didn’t get the great views until after mile 4. The middle 3 or so miles was on dirt/rock trail that went up in the hills of sagebrush. We had to watch our steps, not just for rocks and ruts, but also cowpies!
I’m glad I completed this series but was even more glad when it was done…the running anyway!

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
4

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

This was the inaugural running of Rock 'n' Roll Atlantic City. Overall, I enjoyed the run itself, with plenty of water stops and music on the course. I was happy … MORE

This was the inaugural running of Rock ‘n’ Roll Atlantic City. Overall, I enjoyed the run itself, with plenty of water stops and music on the course. I was happy with the shirt and medal. I would not run this again, but only because Atlantic City was nice to visit once, but that’s enough for me.

Pro: Nice course, starting on an old airfield, running through a stretch of the city and finishing the last 4 or so miles on the boardwalk.
Con: Due to the sand dunes, the ocean was not visible from the boardwalk.

Pro: Packet pickup was easy, typical of a Rock ‘n’ Roll event.
Con: The expo was small (few vendors) for a Rock ‘n’ Roll event.

Pro: Shuttles were provided from the hotel area of the city to the start line.
Con: The hotel area of the city was dirty and I would not walk there alone during the day or at all during dark.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
2
SWAG
4

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Trivium Racing took over as the timing company/race director of this race in 2022. Communication from them has always been top-notch. T-shirts were gender-specific tech with a cool looking owl … MORE

Trivium Racing took over as the timing company/race director of this race in 2022. Communication from them has always been top-notch. T-shirts were gender-specific tech with a cool looking owl printed on the front. This was the 3rd of 4 trail races in a series where the finishers medals connect together to form a larger medal. Age group awards were a nice metal placard with the same owl design as the shirt.

The trail was not the most technical I’ve been on, with minimal rocks but sections with lots of roots. There were numerous views of the lake. I had hoped for a better finish time, but two weeks in Vegas with over overindulgence and no running really slowed me down.

Due to the nature of the course, there were not very many water stops and only one location with a portapotty (around mile 9). I was glad I wore my hydration belt.

I would consider running this again.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
3
SWAG
4

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I ran the 4-mile and 10-mile races, termed the Double Down. The 4-miler started at 7:15 am and the 10-miler at 7:45 am. Runners in the Double Down had until … MORE

I ran the 4-mile and 10-mile races, termed the Double Down. The 4-miler started at 7:15 am and the 10-miler at 7:45 am. Runners in the Double Down had until 8 am to start the 10-miler after running the 4-miler first. With that kind of pressure, I PR’d my 4 mile race. I took it a little easier on the 10-miler and enjoyed the beautiful neighborhoods that we ran through. I even stopped and took pictures of an amazing tulip garden.

Double Down runners got a special medal in addition to the 4-mile and 10-mile medals, and also received two tech t-shirts.

The courses have plenty of hills to test your endurance.

My only disappointment was that the Double Down runners did not get listed in the 4-mile or 10-mile results.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
3
SWAG
3

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I ran the 4-mile and 10-mile races, termed the Double Down. The 4-miler started at 7:15 am and the 10-miler at 7:45 am. Runners in the Double Down had until … MORE

I ran the 4-mile and 10-mile races, termed the Double Down. The 4-miler started at 7:15 am and the 10-miler at 7:45 am. Runners in the Double Down had until 8 am to start the 10-miler after running the 4-miler first. With that kind of pressure, I PR’d my 4 mile race. I took it a little easier on the 10-miler and enjoyed the beautiful neighborhoods that we ran through. I even stopped and took pictures of an amazing tulip garden.

Double Down runners got a special medal in addition to the 4-mile and 10-mile medals, and also received two tech t-shirts.

The courses have plenty of hills to test your endurance.

My only disappointment was that the Double Down runners did not get listed in the 4-mile or 10-mile results.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
3
SWAG
3

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Monumental...kinda. We got a great view of the Washington Monument. Partial view of the Capitol Building. We ran behind the Lincoln Memorial (which I didn't even realize until after the … MORE

Monumental…kinda. We got a great view of the Washington Monument. Partial view of the Capitol Building. We ran behind the Lincoln Memorial (which I didn’t even realize until after the race). Other than that, the race was a typical city race run on downtown streets plus some residential areas. There was a pretty big hill at the halfway point, but there was some live Colonial American music to distract us from the ache in our calves. If possible, I would highly recommend using the public transit of the city and not drive a personal vehicle.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
3
SWAG
3

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The 10 mile trail race was mostly single track, out and back with a small loop at the halfway point. There were a lot of up and down portions so … MORE

The 10 mile trail race was mostly single track, out and back with a small loop at the halfway point. There were a lot of up and down portions so that the effects of the 500 feet of loss and 500 feet of gain were easier to handle mentally. This year, there was a huge rainstorm the night before the race, right up to the start time. This made the trails very wet, muddy and slippery. Since the race started and finished at a high school, there was tons of parking. The race is also one of a series of 4 trail races where the finisher’s medals will all connect to form a big spider web. The shirt is a short sleeved tech shirt.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
4

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With this being my second time running the Myrtle Beach Marathon and last year being postponed to May, I was hoping the earlier start in March would be cooler. It … MORE

With this being my second time running the Myrtle Beach Marathon and last year being postponed to May, I was hoping the earlier start in March would be cooler. It was not! The temperature still got to the upper 60’s by the end of the race and I got sunburned. The course was quite flat and a great part of it was along Ocean Boulevard, which allowed for views of the ocean and a great breeze.

The communications leading up to the race were great. There was tons of parking close to the race start/finish line. I would recommend getting there early, as the lines for the port-a-potties were quite long.

The finisher’s medal was a good size and very heavy. The race length determined the size of the medal, with the marathon having the largest. Every finisher also got a long-sleeved tech shirt and a tank top.

At the finish of the race, runners got to enjoy pizza, one free beer (with the option to purchase more), and a live band in the Pelican’s baseball stadium.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
4

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I’ve reviewed this race before, so I’ll just add that the trails were very muddy and slick this year. The middle section of 3-4 miles was so slick as to … MORE

I’ve reviewed this race before, so I’ll just add that the trails were very muddy and slick this year. The middle section of 3-4 miles was so slick as to be almost unrunnable. I’m sure the front of the pack didn’t have as much trouble, but by the time the middle and back of the pack runners got there, it was slip-city. Everything else was excellent, from communications from the director to parking to the awesome hoodie.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
4
SWAG
4

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The Fellowship of the Idiot Run is a free 19.7-Mile Run that takes runners from the YMCA to the top of Morrow Mountain and back to the YMCA. It is … MORE

The Fellowship of the Idiot Run is a free 19.7-Mile Run that takes runners from the YMCA to the top of Morrow Mountain and back to the YMCA. It is a non-timed event. There is no charge for the run. For a free event, there is plenty of support along the way. First time “idiots” get a t-shirt and certificate. Since the run starts at 5 am, runners can get to the top of Morrow Mountain in time for a beautiful sunrise. This is a fun way to get in a long run and fits the training schedule perfectly for anyone training for the Myrtle Beach Marathon three weeks later.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
2

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I got talked into running the Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World on Marathon weekend and I am so glad I did. Even though it was rough getting up at … MORE

I got talked into running the Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World on Marathon weekend and I am so glad I did. Even though it was rough getting up at 2:30 each race morning, it was also nice to be done the race and still have time to go to a park.

The 5K and 10K races both started in the parking lot of Epcot. The half marathon and marathon started out on the road near Epcot. Be prepared for a long walk from Epcot out to the start line for the half marathon and full marathon. Each race had several characters along the route where you could stop and get your picture taken with them. Most of the time, the wait was not very long to get a picture taken, but the more popular characters had a longer wait.

The races also had many very large aid stations with water and sports drink. I was very grateful for the medical stops, especially for the marathon. I was able to stop and get some Vaseline for chafing that I was experiencing, but they also offered biofreeze, bags of ice and sunscreen.

The 5K ran only in and around Epcot. The 10K briefly went in Hollywood Studios and then back to Epcot. The half marathon went to Magic Kingdom and then back to Epcot. The full marathon went to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, the parking lot of Blizzard Beach, briefly in Hollywood Studios and then back to Epcot. Excluding the 5K, each race had stretches of highway that could have been boring except that they had character stops and some entertainment.

My husband ran just the half marathon but the entire week he kept saying he wished he had done Dopey also. We will go back in a few years when he is ready to run all the races. The only thing I would do different next time is to run the races first and leave the park visits for the week after the races.

Transportation during the races was easy as buses were provided for those staying on Disney property to get to and return from the start/finish in Epcot.

For the Dopey Challenge I got six tech long-sleeved shirts and six medals. That’s one shirt and metal for each race plus a shirt and metal for the Goofy Challenge (completing both half marathon and full marathon) and another shirt and metal for the Dopey Challenge (completing all four races).

The only disappointment for me was the Expo. Packet pickup was fairly straight forward, but shopping for merchandise was time-consuming and a waste of time. The Expo opened on Wednesday morning at 8 AM. We didn’t get there until Wednesday around 1 PM. It took a couple of hours waiting in line just to get in to look at merchandise. By then, there was very little worthwhile merchandise left to buy, and I ended up getting just a Dopey Challenge magnet. The Expo was open several days but anyone who didn’t get there very early on the Wednesday (and was willing to wait in line for 5-6 hours) did not have a good selection.

The most fun thing about these races was the costumes. I dressed up in a different Disney character for each race, as did many, many other people. It was so much fun looking at everyone’s costumes, from the very simple to the very elaborate.

I can’t wait to go back!

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
5

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

I got talked into running the Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World on Marathon weekend and I am so glad I did. Even though it was rough getting up at … MORE

I got talked into running the Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World on Marathon weekend and I am so glad I did. Even though it was rough getting up at 2:30 each race morning, it was also nice to be done the race and still have time to go to a park.

The 5K and 10K races both started in the parking lot of Epcot. The half marathon and marathon started out on the road near Epcot. Be prepared for a long walk from Epcot out to the start line for the half marathon and full marathon. Each race had several characters along the route where you could stop and get your picture taken with them. Most of the time, the wait was not very long to get a picture taken, but the more popular characters had a longer wait.

The races also had many very large aid stations with water and sports drink. I was very grateful for the medical stops, especially for the marathon. I was able to stop and get some Vaseline for chafing that I was experiencing, but they also offered biofreeze, bags of ice and sunscreen.

The 5K ran only in and around Epcot. The 10K briefly went in Hollywood Studios and then back to Epcot. The half marathon went to Magic Kingdom and then back to Epcot. The full marathon went to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, the parking lot of Blizzard Beach, briefly in Hollywood Studios and then back to Epcot. Excluding the 5K, each race had stretches of highway that could have been boring except that they had character stops and some entertainment.

My husband ran just the half marathon but the entire week he kept saying he wished he had done Dopey also. We will go back in a few years when he is ready to run all the races. The only thing I would do different next time is to run the races first and leave the park visits for the week after the races.

Transportation during the races was easy as buses were provided for those staying on Disney property to get to and return from the start/finish in Epcot. I would recommend getting to the start very early to get a good position in the starting corral.

For the Dopey Challenge I got six tech long-sleeved shirts and six medals. That’s one shirt and metal for each race plus a shirt and metal for the Goofy Challenge (completing both half marathon and full marathon) and another shirt and metal for the Dopey Challenge (completing all four races).

The only disappointment for me was the Expo. Packet pickup was fairly straight forward, but shopping for merchandise was time-consuming and a waste of time. The Expo opened on Wednesday morning at 8 AM. We didn’t get there until Wednesday around 1 PM. It took a couple of hours waiting in line just to get in to look at merchandise. By then, there was very little worthwhile merchandise left to buy, and I ended up getting just a Dopey Challenge magnet. The Expo was open several days but anyone who didn’t get there very early on the Wednesday (and was willing to wait in line for 5-6 hours) did not have a good selection.

The most fun thing about these races was the costumes. I dressed up in a different Disney character for each race, as did many, many other people. It was so much fun looking at everyone’s costumes, from the very simple to the very elaborate.

I can’t wait to go back!

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
5

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I got talked into running the Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World on Marathon weekend and I am so glad I did. Even though it was rough getting up at … MORE

I got talked into running the Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World on Marathon weekend and I am so glad I did. Even though it was rough getting up at 2:30 each race morning, it was also nice to be done the race and still have time to go to a park.

The 5K and 10K races both started in the parking lot of Epcot. The half marathon and marathon started out on the road near Epcot. Be prepared for a long walk from Epcot out to the start line for the half marathon and full marathon. Each race had several characters along the route where you could stop and get your picture taken with them. Most of the time, the wait was not very long to get a picture taken, but the more popular characters had a longer wait.

The races also had many very large aid stations with water and sports drink. I was very grateful for the medical stops, especially for the marathon. I was able to stop and get some Vaseline for chafing that I was experiencing, but they also offered biofreeze, bags of ice and sunscreen.

The 5K ran only in and around Epcot. The 10K briefly went in Hollywood Studios and then back to Epcot. The half marathon went to Magic Kingdom and then back to Epcot. The full marathon went to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, the parking lot of Blizzard Beach, briefly in Hollywood Studios and then back to Epcot. Excluding the 5K, each race had stretches of highway that could have been boring except that they had character stops and some entertainment.

My husband ran just the half marathon but the entire week he kept saying he wished he had done Dopey also. We will go back in a few years when he is ready to run all the races. The only thing I would do different next time is to run the races first and leave the park visits for the week after the races.

Transportation during the races was easy as buses were provided for those staying on Disney property to get to and return from the start/finish in Epcot. I would recommend getting there very early to have a good position in the starting corral.

For the Dopey Challenge I got six tech long-sleeved shirts and six medals. That’s one shirt and metal for each race plus a shirt and metal for the Goofy Challenge (completing both half marathon and full marathon) and another shirt and metal for the Dopey Challenge (completing all four races).

The only disappointment for me was the Expo. Packet pickup was fairly straight forward, but shopping for merchandise was time-consuming and a waste of time. The Expo opened on Wednesday morning at 8 AM. We didn’t get there until Wednesday around 1 PM. It took a couple of hours waiting in line just to get in to look at merchandise. By then, there was very little worthwhile merchandise left to buy, and I ended up getting just a Dopey Challenge magnet. The Expo was open several days but anyone who didn’t get there very early on the Wednesday (and was willing to wait in line for 5-6 hours) did not have a good selection.

The most fun thing about these races was the costumes. I dressed up in a different Disney character for each race, as did many, many other people. It was so much fun looking at everyone’s costumes, from the very simple to the very elaborate.

I can’t wait to go back!

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
5

Was this review helpful?

I got talked into running the Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World on Marathon weekend and I am so glad I did. Even though it was rough getting up at … MORE

I got talked into running the Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World on Marathon weekend and I am so glad I did. Even though it was rough getting up at 2:30 each race morning, it was also nice to be done the race and still have time to go to a park.

The 5K and 10K races both started in the parking lot of Epcot. The half marathon and marathon started out on the road near Epcot. Be prepared for a long walk from Epcot out to the start line for the half marathon and full marathon. Each race had several characters along the route where you could stop and get your picture taken with them. Most of the time, the wait was not very long to get a picture taken, but the more popular characters had a longer wait.

The races also had many very large aid stations with water and sports drink. I was very grateful for the medical stops, especially for the marathon. I was able to stop and get some Vaseline for chafing that I was experiencing, but they also offered biofreeze, bags of ice and sunscreen.

The 5K ran only in and around Epcot. The 10K briefly went in Hollywood Studios and then back to Epcot. The half marathon went to Magic Kingdom and then back to Epcot. The full marathon went to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, the parking lot of Blizzard Beach, briefly in Hollywood Studios and then back to Epcot. Excluding the 5K, each race had stretches of highway that could have been boring except that they had character stops and some entertainment.

My husband ran just the half marathon but the entire week he kept saying he wished he had done Dopey also. We will go back in a few years when he is ready to run all the races. The only thing I would do different next time is to run the races first and leave the park visits for the week after the races.

Transportation during the races was easy as buses were provided for those staying on Disney property to get to and return from the start/finish in Epcot.

For the Dopey Challenge I got six tech long-sleeved shirts and six medals. That’s one shirt and metal for each race plus a shirt and metal for the Goofy Challenge (completing both half marathon and full marathon) and another shirt and metal for the Dopey Challenge (completing all four races).

The only disappointment for me was the Expo. Packet pickup was fairly straight forward, but shopping for merchandise was time-consuming and a waste of time. The Expo opened on Wednesday morning at 8 AM. We didn’t get there until Wednesday around 1 PM. It took a couple of hours waiting in line just to get in to look at merchandise. By then, there was very little worthwhile merchandise left to buy, and I ended up getting just a Dopey Challenge magnet. The Expo was open several days but anyone who didn’t get there very early on the Wednesday (and was willing to wait in line for 5-6 hours) did not have a good selection.

The most fun thing about these races was the costumes. I dressed up in a different Disney character for each race, as did many, many other people. It was so much fun looking at everyone’s costumes, from the very simple to the very elaborate.

I can’t wait to go back!

DIFFICULTY
1
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5
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3
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5

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I got talked into running the Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World on Marathon weekend and I am so glad I did. Even though it was rough getting up at … MORE

I got talked into running the Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World on Marathon weekend and I am so glad I did. Even though it was rough getting up at 2:30 each race morning, it was also nice to be done the race and still have time to go to a park.

The 5K and 10K races both started in the parking lot of Epcot. The half marathon and marathon started out on the road near Epcot. Be prepared for a long walk from Epcot out to the start line for the half marathon and full marathon. Each race had several characters along the route where you could stop and get your picture taken with them. Most of the time, the wait was not very long to get a picture taken, but the more popular characters had a longer wait.

The races also had many very large aid stations with water and sports drink. I was very grateful for the medical stops, especially for the marathon. I was able to stop and get some Vaseline for chafing that I was experiencing, but they also offered biofreeze, bags of ice and sunscreen.

The 5K ran only in and around Epcot. The 10K briefly went in Hollywood Studios and then back to Epcot. The half marathon went to Magic Kingdom and then back to Epcot. The full marathon went to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, the parking lot of Blizzard Beach, briefly in Hollywood Studios and then back to Epcot. Excluding the 5K, each race had stretches of highway that could have been boring except that they had character stops and some entertainment.

My husband ran just the half marathon but the entire week he kept saying he wished he had done Dopey also. We will go back in a few years when he is ready to run all the races. The only thing I would do different next time is to run the races first and leave the park visits for the week after the races.

Transportation during the races was easy as buses were provided for those staying on Disney property to get to and return from the start/finish in Epcot.

For the Dopey Challenge I got six tech long-sleeved shirts and six medals. That’s one shirt and metal for each race plus a shirt and metal for the Goofy Challenge (completing both half marathon and full marathon) and another shirt and metal for the Dopey Challenge (completing all four races).

The only disappointment for me was the Expo. Packet pickup was fairly straight forward, but shopping for merchandise was time-consuming and a waste of time. The Expo opened on Wednesday morning at 8 AM. We didn’t get there until Wednesday around 1 PM. It took a couple of hours waiting in line just to get in to look at merchandise. By then, there was very little worthwhile merchandise left to buy, and I ended up getting just a Dopey Challenge magnet. The Expo was open several days but anyone who didn’t get there very early on the Wednesday (and was willing to wait in line for 5-6 hours) did not have a good selection.

The most fun thing about these races was the costumes. I dressed up in a different Disney character for each race, as did many, many other people. It was so much fun looking at everyone’s costumes, from the very simple to the very elaborate.

I can’t wait to go back!

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
5

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Kiawah Island will always have a special place in my heart. It was my first half marathon. I loved everything about it. My third year running the half marathon is … MORE

Kiawah Island will always have a special place in my heart. It was my first half marathon. I loved everything about it. My third year running the half marathon is my PB. The corses were changed for this year and while still very nice, I preferred the original location. Most runners will need to get a shuttle to and from the start/finish area regardless if they stay off- or on-island. There is great support along the course and music/bands in a couple of locations. Great food at the finish…REAL food, like couscous, pasta, hot soup. Plus beer, always a good thing. The shirt this year was a long sleeve cotton blend, as opposed to the tech shirts offered in the previous few years. The medal was just as awesome as always, with a stained glass effect and a spinner with half marathon on one side and marathon on the other.

DIFFICULTY
2
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4
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5
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4

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This course had some hills! The volunteers on the course were great. The t-shirt was a long sleeved cotton blend. Plenty of parking, since the race started and finished at … MORE

This course had some hills! The volunteers on the course were great. The t-shirt was a long sleeved cotton blend. Plenty of parking, since the race started and finished at a high school.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
3

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Trivium Racing always puts on a good race. Last year, this race was a point to point due to Covid. This year, it was a two loop course to find … MORE

Trivium Racing always puts on a good race. Last year, this race was a point to point due to Covid. This year, it was a two loop course to find the flattest half marathon route in the city. While it was flatter than last year, I would not call this course flat. The shirt was a long sleeved tech. The medal was the final medal of the 6-race mega medal series, where all the medals joined in a fashion similar to the Olympic rings. Food options after the race weren’t great but there was plenty of beer.

DIFFICULTY
3
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4
SCENERY
3
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4
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The DAV 5k Boston raised $30,000 for Veterans. The runners gathered inside Fort Independence on Castle Island in Boston prior to the start. Then a color guard led the runners … MORE

The DAV 5k Boston raised $30,000 for Veterans.

The runners gathered inside Fort Independence on Castle Island in Boston prior to the start. Then a color guard led the runners to the start line, asking the runners to follow based on expected finish time. It was the first time I experienced a start like that, which I think worked very well. I ran my race in my expected time and did not have to do a lot of dodging around other runners, which seems to happen frequently in races. Each event (5k hand-cycle, 5k run, 1 mile walk) was started by the massive boom of a Howitzer cannon and finished inside the fort. Other than the final ramp up to finish line inside the fort, the course was flat. The shirt was a long sleeve tech.

DIFFICULTY
1
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5
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4
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5

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This was a railroad themed 5K going through a residential neighborhood with rolling hills. Finishers received a custom Railroad/Halloween themed medal. The top 3 male and female finishers also received … MORE

This was a railroad themed 5K going through a residential neighborhood with rolling hills. Finishers received a custom Railroad/Halloween themed medal. The top 3 male and female finishers also received a cool lantern in addition to another medal. The top male and female in the Masters and Grandmasters divisions received a wooden train whistle. Age group medals (gold, silver & bronze versions of the finishers medal) were given to the top 3 in 10 year age groups.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
3
SWAG
5

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This event offered two distances, 4 miles and 10 miles. The course was entirely on the converted rail to trail American Tobacco Trail. This translates to a flat fast course … MORE

This event offered two distances, 4 miles and 10 miles. The course was entirely on the converted rail to trail American Tobacco Trail. This translates to a flat fast course on crushed stone. Parking was mainly at a nearby area with a shuttle bus going back and forth. I chose to park further down the trail, about 2 miles from the start. This allowed me a 2 mile warmup prior to the 10 mile race, plus the 2 miles back for cooldown. Finishers received a pair of gloves in addition to a long-sleeved T-shirt.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
2
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2

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Mo' Bell truly has something for everyone. The options included 100 miler, 75 miler, 50 miler, 24-hour, 12-hour, 100k, 50k, marathon, half marathon, 10k, 5k and 1 mile run. Runners … MORE

Mo’ Bell truly has something for everyone. The options included 100 miler, 75 miler, 50 miler, 24-hour, 12-hour, 100k, 50k, marathon, half marathon, 10k, 5k and 1 mile run.

Runners could also choose whether to run the 3 mile trail loop, the 1 mile road loop, or any combination of the two to cover their distance. There were hills with both loops and the trail had lots of roots and rocks.

Due to the variability of the course options, timing was not electronic. For my half marathon, it was simply pick up a brown rubber band after each trail loop or red rubber band after each road loop. The longer distances used clothes pins but I wasn’t present for the start of those events and didn’t hear exactly how the timing was done.

Swag included pajama bottoms for the half marathon and higher events plus a cute cowbell finisher’s medal.

If this event was local for me, I would consider running it again.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
4
SWAG
4

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This was my first 24-hour race and I don't think I could have picked a better one. The course is a 1.5032 mile loop around Hinson Lake. Completing the same … MORE

This was my first 24-hour race and I don’t think I could have picked a better one. The course is a 1.5032 mile loop around Hinson Lake. Completing the same loop 42 times may sound boring but it really wasn’t. With over 300 people running, there was always someone new to see. A fun quirk of the event was the Gnomes. There were different gnomes placed around the course in various locations. Each lap, the gnomes would be in a new spot! It was a kind of game to see where they would show up on the next lap. There were also different amusing signs along the course that got changed out over the course of the 24 hours.

Did I mention food? The aid station had every kind of food you would ever want to help get your through whatever distance/time you were aiming for. They had grilled cheese sandwiches, cheeseburgers, potatoes, candy, cookies, soup, noodles, bananas, oranges, chips, pizza and more pizza. There was also several flavors of gatorade.

The weather this year was pretty much perfect, which my understanding is it’s usually hot, wet and/or mosquito infested. New for the event this year (it was supposed to be new last year but got cancelled), 100k finishers earned a medal. With the weather being so great and the introduction of a 100k medal, I decided to push for my longest distance ever.

Many people chose to pitch tents along the course and I’m glad I did that also. I did have to break after 55 miles and laid down in my tent for a while until I felt able to get up and finish the push to the 100k.

The final fun facet of this event was the banana lap. With somewhere around 30 minutes left in the 24-hour event, those still on course (or coming back to the course), got a banana with their bib number on it. The runners continued around the course until the foghorn signaled the end of the event. Wherever you were on the course, that’s where you dropped your banana. A crew then went around and measured the length of the course completed by each runner on that final lao and added the distance to their overall distance. Since I had completed at least 100k and was still there for the banana lap, I was able to jump around 20 spots in the standings, surpassing those that decided to stop at 100k.

I would highly recommend this event to anyone thinking about doing their first 24-hour event or anyone just wanting to push to see just how far they can go.

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1
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4
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4
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4

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This was a fun race. The 10k was essentially 2 loops of the 5k course and was moderately hilly. There was good course direction along the city streets. The race … MORE

This was a fun race. The 10k was essentially 2 loops of the 5k course and was moderately hilly. There was good course direction along the city streets. The race started and finished near Southend Brewing, so there was plenty of beer (each runner was allowed 2 free beers, and of course could buy more). The age group awards were beer growlers and a certificate to fill them. This race was also part of Trivium Racing’s Greensboro series. The medals from all 5 races interlock similar to the Olympic rings.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
3
SWAG
4

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I ran the 22 mile option of the VSAP. VSAP stands for Veteran Suicide Awareness and Prevention. It was a very worthy cause to run for. The course started and … MORE

I ran the 22 mile option of the VSAP. VSAP stands for Veteran Suicide Awareness and Prevention. It was a very worthy cause to run for. The course started and finished at a local baseball field and was quite rural. Runners should be sure to carry water/fuel with them as there was not a lot of course support. It was the inaugural race, so I would expect to see improvements next year. Overall, a worthy cause and a great long run if building for a full marathon.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
3
SWAG
3

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Rock 'n' Roll announced that this was the final race at Virginia Beach, after 20 years. I've run a handful of Rock 'n' Roll races, and they are pretty much … MORE

Rock ‘n’ Roll announced that this was the final race at Virginia Beach, after 20 years. I’ve run a handful of Rock ‘n’ Roll races, and they are pretty much the same. Absolute fantastic race in terms of entertainment on the course, course support, bling, shirts, spectators, expo, just about everything. The course started close to and finished on the boardwalk. If they were to have it again, it would definitely be worth running.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
4

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CARA Run for their Lives is a nice local race that is the biggest fundraiser for the Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption. Not a lot of fuss to this race. … MORE

CARA Run for their Lives is a nice local race that is the biggest fundraiser for the Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption. Not a lot of fuss to this race. Only finishers of the challenge (running both 5k & 10k) earn a medal. The course has some hills as it runs through part of town and along a greenway.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
3
SWAG
3

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CARA Run for their Lives is a nice local race that is the biggest fundraiser for the Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption. Not a lot of fuss to this race. … MORE

CARA Run for their Lives is a nice local race that is the biggest fundraiser for the Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption. Not a lot of fuss to this race. Only finishers of the challenge (running both 5k & 10k) earn a medal. The course has some hills as it runs through part of town and along a greenway.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
3
SWAG
3

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The Copperhead 20k Relay was lots of fun. Relay teams could have 2-4 members, with each member running 5k lap(s). Each member could have 2 minutes deducted from their time … MORE

The Copperhead 20k Relay was lots of fun. Relay teams could have 2-4 members, with each member running 5k lap(s). Each member could have 2 minutes deducted from their time by drinking a beer before running their lap, for a potential total deduction of 8 minutes. There was also the option of running the 20k as an individual, with the same potential deduction. For any runner under 21 or non-drinker, there was the option of chocolate milk. Before the main race, they held a couple of beer mile events (a competitive open beer mile and a Clydesdale and Athena event). The winner of each got a machete. There was no finishers medal but each participant got a pair of Copperhead socks and had the option of purchasing shirts or tanks. There was A LOT of beer available and the overall atmosphere was like a party.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
3
SWAG
2

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Pros: This race is a huge fundraiser for a good cause: resources for those dealing with addiction or mental health ailments. The race entry included a nice cotton blend shirt … MORE

Pros: This race is a huge fundraiser for a good cause: resources for those dealing with addiction or mental health ailments. The race entry included a nice cotton blend shirt and entry to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The course ran through the zoo, which was pretty cool. There was plenty of crowd support and the course was mostly shaded. My rating of the race swag would have been a 5 if there was a finisher’s medal. They did give out quite a few age group medals.
Cons: Registration was confusing and communication was non-existent.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
5
SWAG
4

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I believe the course was unique for this year. The course map advertised over 1700 feet of gain but my watch registered only 1500 feet. Should I feel cheated?? The … MORE

I believe the course was unique for this year. The course map advertised over 1700 feet of gain but my watch registered only 1500 feet. Should I feel cheated?? The first 2 1/2 miles were uphill (my calves were not happy with me) on this out and back, which meant the last 2 1/2 miles were downhill (my quads were so angry, they yelled at me for 3 days afterwards). The shirt was a nice tech shirt, though unisex. The medal was cool, featuring a gas lantern, with a light that flashes. Oh, one more thing…the 1500 (or 1700) feet of gain was for the half. The full marathon ran the out and back twice, for a gain of 3000 (or 3400) feet of gain. Ouch!

DIFFICULTY
5
PRODUCTION
2
SCENERY
5
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4

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I was unable to run this event in person due to scheduling conflict, but I needed the medal! This event is part of Trivium Racing's mega medal series, where all … MORE

I was unable to run this event in person due to scheduling conflict, but I needed the medal! This event is part of Trivium Racing’s mega medal series, where all the medals join together in a way similar to the Olympic rings. Trivium Racing always puts on a great race and they do their best by the runners.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
5

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This was a very small and rural event with no bling or fanfare, basically just a group of runners out for a long run. Runners did get a t-shirt and … MORE

This was a very small and rural event with no bling or fanfare, basically just a group of runners out for a long run. Runners did get a t-shirt and trucker’s hat though. There were volunteers who drove the course to provide runners with anything they might need (water, soda, ice pops, etc). Most of the runners were members of the Mangum Track Club (see their website to see what they’re all about).

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
4
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3

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Over a year ago, I decided I would wait until I turned 50 to run my first marathon. I had planned on making a trip out of it, going someplace … MORE

Over a year ago, I decided I would wait until I turned 50 to run my first marathon. I had planned on making a trip out of it, going someplace that I hadn’t been before. Then COVID hit and races began getting cancelled. I ended up choosing the Myrtle Beach Marathon, so that even if the race got cancelled, we could still go and enjoy the weekend. The race happened and I did it! I ran my first full marathon!

The original scheduled date was March, which is definitely a better choice than May, as the temperature got to the upper 60’s by the end of the race. The course was quite flat and a great part of it was along Ocean Boulevard, which allowed for views of the ocean and a great breeze. Many runners complained about the headwind, but I found it refreshing.

The communications leading up to the race were great. There was tons of parking close to the race start/finish line. The race was also well executed for COVID restrictions, with wave starts every 2 minutes. With the number of runners (close to 1000 for the marathon alone), this allowed for ample spacing of runners. I was not crowded during the race, yet I was never alone either.

This stagger also meant that there was not a huge gathering at the finish line. While normally I would enjoy a cheering crowd, it was also nice to NOT have a crowd to (literally) run into at the finish. There was plenty of post-race, prepackaged food and water, though no beer.

The medal was a good size and very heavy. Every finisher also got a long-sleeved tech shirt and a tank top.

Overall, I consider it a great choice for my first marathon and look forward to running it again, when it’s in the cooler month of March.

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1
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5
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3
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4

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In my second year running this race, the course was changed from point to point to a sort of loop. The course started and finished in downtown Holly Springs, NC … MORE

In my second year running this race, the course was changed from point to point to a sort of loop. The course started and finished in downtown Holly Springs, NC and ran along streets, parkways, and a packed mulch trail around a lake.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
3
SWAG
3

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The course had a few rolling hills but a nice downhill finish. Trivium racing did an excellent job dealing with the COVID restrictions. Plenty of beer at the finish, which … MORE

The course had a few rolling hills but a nice downhill finish. Trivium racing did an excellent job dealing with the COVID restrictions. Plenty of beer at the finish, which is only to be expected since the race started and finished at the Pig Pounder Brewery. This was race #3 of this year’s Mega Medal series, where all the medals will link in manner similar to the Olympic rings.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
2
SWAG
5

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The 10 mile trail race was mostly single track so it was difficult to pass much of the time. It was also primarily out and back a small loop at … MORE

The 10 mile trail race was mostly single track so it was difficult to pass much of the time. It was also primarily out and back a small loop at the halfway point. There were a lot of up and down portions so that the effects of the 500 feet of loss and 500 feet of gain were easier to handle mentally. Since the race started and finished at a high school, there was tons of parking. The race is also one of a series of 6 races where the finisher’s medals will all connect to form a mega medal, similar to the Olympic rings.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
3
SWAG
5

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The Fellowship of the Idiot Run is a free 19.7-Mile Run that takes runners from the YMCA to the top of Morrow Mountain and back to the YMCA. It is … MORE

The Fellowship of the Idiot Run is a free 19.7-Mile Run that takes runners from the YMCA to the top of Morrow Mountain and back to the YMCA. It is a non-timed event. There is no charge for the run. For a free event, there is plenty of support along the way. First time “idiots” get a t-shirt and certificate. Since the run starts at 5 am, runners can get to the top of Morrow Mountain in time for a beautiful sunrise. This is a fun way to get in a long run.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
4
SWAG
2

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This trail race normally has water crossings at miles 4.8 and 8.2 with the weather prior to race determining how deep the water is. This year it was too deep … MORE

This trail race normally has water crossings at miles 4.8 and 8.2 with the weather prior to race determining how deep the water is. This year it was too deep to safely cross, so the course was altered to avoid the river. Even without the water crossing, this was a tough course. Trivium Racing had great communication regarding every aspect of the race in the week or two before the race. This race is also the first of a series of 6 races where the medals all connect to form a mega medal.

DIFFICULTY
5
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
4
SWAG
5

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With options of 3, 6 or 12 hours, this is a great choice for someone thinking of running their first ultra. The comradery among the runners make it a fantastic … MORE

With options of 3, 6 or 12 hours, this is a great choice for someone thinking of running their first ultra. The comradery among the runners make it a fantastic choice for anyone who runs, period. Many runners chose to run in costume, including a friend who ran the entire 12 hours carrying a foot-tall nutcracker! The course is a converted rail to trail out and back of 5 miles each way. Since I ran the 6 hour event, I did two out and backs (for 20 total miles), then added shorter out and backs of 1 mile, getting up to 26 miles before I stopped. I chose to run this event prior to running my first marathon to test myself, with no pressure. I managed the 26 miles easily in this event, due to both the flat course and the great support from the other runners. Finishers received a nutcracker medal in addition to a nice long-sleeved T-shirt.

DIFFICULTY
2
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4
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2
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5

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This is a great event for the entire family. Strollers and dogs are allowed with an awesome Kid Zone for during/after the race. It was a bit hilly but with … MORE

This is a great event for the entire family. Strollers and dogs are allowed with an awesome Kid Zone for during/after the race. It was a bit hilly but with music at a couple of spots (live band! keyboard player!) to help with motivation. Shirt option included the choice of tech or cotton long sleeve shirt. There were very nice finisher medals for everyone and there was even fake snow at the finish line! Oh, I almost forgot…everyone got a set of antlers too!! If I had one suggestion to improve the experience, it would be to have maybe 1-2 volunteers on the course where the 12k and 5k merge to help remind the 5k walkers to stay right in order to allow the 12k runners room to run on the left. My last mile was a full minute slower from having to dodge walkers and strollers.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
4
SWAG
4

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For 2020, the race directors were able to hold the event by doing a staggered start of one athlete every few seconds. They also changed the course from it's usual … MORE

For 2020, the race directors were able to hold the event by doing a staggered start of one athlete every few seconds. They also changed the course from it’s usual flat loop to a point to point course. This event is the final race in Trivium Racing’s mega medal series, with the medals from all 6 races joining together to make a huge medal. The T-shirt was a long sleeved tech shirt.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
3
SWAG
4

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I cannot review the race as COVID forced it to be virtual only. I can review Trivium Racing, the organization putting the race. They did an excellent job of communicating … MORE

I cannot review the race as COVID forced it to be virtual only. I can review Trivium Racing, the organization putting the race. They did an excellent job of communicating with runners throughout the process of turning the event to virtual only. They also did their best to try to think of ways to safely hold the event until the City finally said absolutely no permit. I hope to run the event in person next year. I based the Course Difficulty and Scenery scores on the course map provided on the race site.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5

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My ratings are based on the prior year live event. My review from that year: Nice local race, very festive with live bagpipers. Raised money for a great cause. The … MORE

My ratings are based on the prior year live event. My review from that year:
Nice local race, very festive with live bagpipers. Raised money for a great cause. The medal is a half circle, which interlocks with the medal from the Oktoberfest race later in the year to complete the circle.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
4

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The 10 mile trail race was mostly single track so it was difficult to pass much of the time. It was also primarily out and back a small loop at … MORE

The 10 mile trail race was mostly single track so it was difficult to pass much of the time. It was also primarily out and back a small loop at the halfway point. There were a lot of up and down portions so that the effects of the 500 feet of loss and 500 feet of gain were easier to handle mentally. Since the race started and finished at a high school, there was tons of parking. The race is also one of a series of 7 races where the finisher’s medals will all connect to form a mega medal. The t-shirt was a very nice long sleeve tech shirt.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
3
SWAG
5

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This trail race has water crossings at miles 4.8 and 8.2 with the weather prior to race determining how deep the water is. This year it was about knee deep … MORE

This trail race has water crossings at miles 4.8 and 8.2 with the weather prior to race determining how deep the water is. This year it was about knee deep but I understand it has been almost waist deep in the past. Trivium Racing had great communication regarding every aspect of the race in the week or two before the race. This race is also the first of a series of 7 races where the medals all connect to form a mega medal.

DIFFICULTY
5
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
4
SWAG
5

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There are many options for completing this marathon: solo, 2 person relay, 4 person relay, 5-8 person relay. The majority of participants, including my team, chose the 4 person relay. … MORE

There are many options for completing this marathon: solo, 2 person relay, 4 person relay, 5-8 person relay. The majority of participants, including my team, chose the 4 person relay. The first person ran a modified first lap of 2.2 miles. Each lap after that was a 1.6 loop around a park. It had roughly 80 feet of gain per lap, but the finish was down hill. Many teams made camp in “tent city” which was the area after the start line, along the course. The relay transition took place either just after the start/finish line or wherever it was that your team was camped. This made it easy to relax between laps. The only option for the 4 person relay teams was for each member to run one lap at a time. The other relay teams could break up the 16 laps however they chose, as long as each person ran at least one lap. This is a great event for socializing with other runners. Every runner received a medal and hoodie.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
3
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3
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4

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The first and last 3 or miles of the course was greenway and mostly flat. The middle of the race is where the mountain challenge happened. Roughly 800 feet of … MORE

The first and last 3 or miles of the course was greenway and mostly flat. The middle of the race is where the mountain challenge happened. Roughly 800 feet of gain for the whole course with most of that being in the middle. The mountain trail varied between gravel, wooden steps and technical trail. Lots of roots, rocks and mud (it had recently rained).

DIFFICULTY
5
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
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3

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The course is flat and winds through beautiful neighborhoods and past the golf course and marshes on Kiawah Island. The full and half start together then split apart and rejoin … MORE

The course is flat and winds through beautiful neighborhoods and past the golf course and marshes on Kiawah Island. The full and half start together then split apart and rejoin again before the finish. The medal is huge with a spinner thing that says Marathon on one side and Half Marathon on the other side. The tech shirts have a unique artistic design. I have heard that shuttling onto the island on race morning can be stressful. I chose to stay at the Sanctuary Hotel on the island so that I could leave my room 15 minutes before race time. Very convenient if a bit on the expensive side. When I am ready for my first marathon, I believe I will choose this one. As it is, I have already registered for the half marathon for next year.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
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5

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This is a great event for the entire family. Strollers and dogs are allowed with an awesome Kid Zone for during/after the race. It was a bit hilly but with … MORE

This is a great event for the entire family. Strollers and dogs are allowed with an awesome Kid Zone for during/after the race. It was a bit hilly but with music at a couple of spots (live band! keyboard player!) to help with motivation. Shirt option included the choice of tech or cotton long sleeve shirt. There were very nice finisher medals for everyone and there was even fake snow at the finish line! Oh, I almost forgot…everyone got a set of antlers too!! If I had one suggestion to improve the experience, it would be to have maybe 1-2 volunteers on the course where the 12k and 5k merge to help remind the 5k walkers to stay right in order to allow the 12k runners room to run on the left. My last mile was a full minute slower from having to dodge walkers and strollers.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
4
SWAG
5

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There was lots of pre race communication, with the exception of the decision to not have finisher medals. This was my second year running the race and since there were … MORE

There was lots of pre race communication, with the exception of the decision to not have finisher medals. This was my second year running the race and since there were finisher medals last year, I expected one this year. Other than that, I enjoyed the race. It is one of the bigger ones in the area, with close to 3000 runners, and includes a Kids Dash. The shirt was a very nice long sleeve gender specific tech shirt.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
3
SWAG
2

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The course for this race starts at a sports complex and winds through a couple of parks, through town, around a lake, and up and down hills. It's run on … MORE

The course for this race starts at a sports complex and winds through a couple of parks, through town, around a lake, and up and down hills. It’s run on roads, greenways and a mulch trail. Runners earn points (1 point per mile raced) in the Run the Springs series and are rewarded an extra medal for accumulating 20 points. In my case, I ran the NC Spring Classic 16k in April and this race, thus earning enough points for the extra medal upon completion of this race. The medals are very substantial! The shirt was a decent long sleeve tee.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5

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This was my 4th Rock n Roll race. If you want bling, do multiple Rock n Roll races! Production is always well organized. Lots of course entertainment and support. The … MORE

This was my 4th Rock n Roll race. If you want bling, do multiple Rock n Roll races! Production is always well organized. Lots of course entertainment and support. The Rock n Roll races usually have race shirts for sale on which the participants names are screen printed. The print is tiny, but it’s possible to find your name. Transportation was, for the most part, well organized. Just be aware that the race start and finish lines are at separate locations. Unless you want to walk another mile back to the ferry for transport to the convention center parking, you need to prepay for a shuttle pass. Overall, I really enjoyed this race. It is also walker friendly, especially for the half marathon, which my husband did (he had a full knee replacement and the doc won’t let him run).

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
5

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U Can Finish 2 miler was followed by the U Can Finish 5 miler. Runners could choose either or both. If completing both races, runners were awarded an additional medal. … MORE

U Can Finish 2 miler was followed by the U Can Finish 5 miler. Runners could choose either or both. If completing both races, runners were awarded an additional medal. The 2 miler medal was a small shield, the 5 miler medal was a bigger shield, and the “Distance Dare” medal was a shield that attached to the 5 miler medal with magnets. There was an indication on the website that this was the final year for the Distance Dare.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
1
SWAG
5
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U Can Finish 2 miler was followed by the U Can Finish 5 miler. Runners could choose either or both. If completing both races, runners were awarded an additional medal. … MORE

U Can Finish 2 miler was followed by the U Can Finish 5 miler. Runners could choose either or both. If completing both races, runners were awarded an additional medal. The 2 miler medal was a small shield, the 5 miler medal was a bigger shield, and the “Distance Dare” medal was a shield that attached to the 5 miler medal with magnets. There was an indication on the website that this was the final year for the Distance Dare.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
1
SWAG
5
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From the website: Don your lederhosen for a day of running and friendly fun in downtown Raleigh. Every registered runner will receive a polyblend shirt, craft beer (21+), finishers medal, … MORE

From the website: Don your lederhosen for a day of running and friendly fun in downtown Raleigh. Every registered runner will receive a polyblend shirt, craft beer (21+), finishers medal, and an after party chock full of good music and great times! See the photo of the medal in the race media gallery to see all 3 pieces combined (St Paddy’s 4 Miler, World’s Largest Flip Flop 1k, this race)

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
5
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I participated in this inaugural event, choosing the 10 mile timed option. There were also 5 mile and 2 mile (untimed) options. There were plenty of volunteers and the race … MORE

I participated in this inaugural event, choosing the 10 mile timed option. There were also 5 mile and 2 mile (untimed) options. There were plenty of volunteers and the race was quite organized. There were no finisher medals but age awards went 5 deep and lots of give-aways, including 12 pairs of running shoes. The trail itself was quite technical for the 10 mile race with a lot of switchbacks, rocks and roots. Thankfully the trail was well marked, since as the runners spread out, it was common to not see any other runner ahead or behind. A physical therapist was on hand to provide both pre and post run assistance.

DIFFICULTY
5
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
2

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CARA Run for their Lives is a nice local race that is the biggest fundraiser for the Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption. Not a lot of fuss to this race. … MORE

CARA Run for their Lives is a nice local race that is the biggest fundraiser for the Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption. Not a lot of fuss to this race. Only finishers of the challenge (running both 5k & 10k) earn a medal. The course has some hills as it runs through part of town and along a greenway.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
3
SWAG
3

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CARA Run for their Lives is a nice local race that is the biggest fundraiser for the Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption. Not a lot of fuss to this race. … MORE

CARA Run for their Lives is a nice local race that is the biggest fundraiser for the Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption. Not a lot of fuss to this race. Only finishers of the challenge (running both 5k & 10k) earn a medal. The course has some hills as it runs through part of town and along a greenway.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
3
SWAG
3

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Like most races in this town, the course includes the hill going up into Haymount. Unlike other races in this town, the course cut through a couple of parks and … MORE

Like most races in this town, the course includes the hill going up into Haymount. Unlike other races in this town, the course cut through a couple of parks and ran along a creek, adding some scenery to the race.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
3

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The 5k and 10k courses start and finish at the same location at Floyd Lamb park, with the 10k branching off in the middle to get the extra miles. The … MORE

The 5k and 10k courses start and finish at the same location at Floyd Lamb park, with the 10k branching off in the middle to get the extra miles. The course is very flat but most of it is not shaded, being that Las Vegas is desert area. There were adequate aid stations but not really any place for spectators along the course. The shirt was a very nice tech shirt and the medal was very pretty. All Moms finishing the race received a flower as well. Overall, it was a pleasant race and I would run it again, especially since it raised money for a great cause.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
1
SWAG
5

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This was a tough race. There's even a hill so tough that it has it's own award category. The hill is about .8 miles long and comes late in the … MORE

This was a tough race. There’s even a hill so tough that it has it’s own award category. The hill is about .8 miles long and comes late in the race. There is also a 4 mile race that starts before the 10 miler. Runners have the option to Double Down and complete both. The challenge is that the 4 mile race starts only 30 minutes before the 10 mile race. Those who are able to complete the challenge are awarded with 3 medals. I will probably run this race again, if only to better my time on Laurel Hill.

DIFFICULTY
5
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5

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Nice local race, very festive with live bagpipers. Raised money for a great cause. The medal is a half circle, which interlocks with the medal from the Oktoberfest race later … MORE

Nice local race, very festive with live bagpipers. Raised money for a great cause. The medal is a half circle, which interlocks with the medal from the Oktoberfest race later in the year to complete the circle.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
4

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This was the first time Durham, NC hosted a National Women's Running Series event. The first 3 miles were along streets, the next 5 miles were on a greenway, then … MORE

This was the first time Durham, NC hosted a National Women’s Running Series event. The first 3 miles were along streets, the next 5 miles were on a greenway, then the final 5 miles were back along the streets. The greenway was mostly flat while the streets had several hills. Overall, it was a decent event.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
4

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The course is flat and winds through beautiful neighborhoods and past the golf course and marshes on Kiawah Island. The full and half start together then split apart and rejoin … MORE

The course is flat and winds through beautiful neighborhoods and past the golf course and marshes on Kiawah Island. The full and half start together then split apart and rejoin again before the finish. The medal is huge with a spinner thing that says Marathon on one side and Half Marathon on the other side. The tech shirts have a unique artistic design. I liked the one from last year so much that I bought two more at the expo this year. I have heard that shuttling onto the island on race morning can be stressful. I chose to stay at the Sanctuary Hotel on the island so that I could leave my room 15 minutes before race time. Very convenient if a bit on the expensive side. When I am ready for my first marathon, I believe I will choose this one. As it is, I have already registered for the half marathon for next year.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

This is a great event for the entire family. Strollers and dogs are allowed with an awesome Kid Zone for during/after the race. It was a bit hilly but with … MORE

This is a great event for the entire family. Strollers and dogs are allowed with an awesome Kid Zone for during/after the race. It was a bit hilly but with music at a couple of spots (live band! keyboard player!) to help with motivation. Shirt option included the choice of tech or cotton long sleeve shirt. There were very nice finisher medals for everyone and there was even fake snow at the finish line! Oh, I almost forgot…everyone got a set of antlers too!!

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
4
SWAG
5

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I was in San Antonio on business and wanted to run a race while there. I chose this one. I wish I could have been there for the entire series … MORE

I was in San Antonio on business and wanted to run a race while there. I chose this one. I wish I could have been there for the entire series of four races. Those who completed all four races received an extra medal. The race organizer, Scallywompus, is the best. Very responsive to questions and posts on Facebook. The course was a flat and fast greenway.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
2
SWAG
5

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CARA Run for their Lives is a nice local race that is the biggest fundraiser for the Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption. Not a lot of fuss to this race. … MORE

CARA Run for their Lives is a nice local race that is the biggest fundraiser for the Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption. Not a lot of fuss to this race. Only finishers of the challenge (running both 5k & 10k) earn a medal. The course has some hills as it runs through part of town and along a greenway.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
3
SWAG
3

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CARA Run for their Lives is a nice local race that is the biggest fundraiser for the Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption. Not a lot of fuss to this race. … MORE

CARA Run for their Lives is a nice local race that is the biggest fundraiser for the Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption. Not a lot of fuss to this race. Only finishers of the challenge (running both 5k & 10k) earn a medal. The course has some hills as it runs through part of town and along a greenway.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
3
SWAG
3

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The course was entirely on the converted rail to trail American Tobacco Trail. This translates to a flat fast course on crushed stone. Parking was mainly at a nearby area … MORE

The course was entirely on the converted rail to trail American Tobacco Trail. This translates to a flat fast course on crushed stone. Parking was mainly at a nearby area with a shuttle bus going back and forth. Finishers received a medal made of wood in addition to a long-sleeved T-shirt.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
2
SWAG
3

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CARA Run for their Lives is a nice local race that is the biggest fundraiser for the Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption. Not a lot of fuss to this race. … MORE

CARA Run for their Lives is a nice local race that is the biggest fundraiser for the Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption. Not a lot of fuss to this race. The course has some hills as it runs through part of town and along a greenway. What really impressed me with this race was the support from other runners. This was my first times race and even though I was almost the last one to finish, many other runners were telling me good job! The support and encouragement in this one race is what really cemented my desire to run.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
3
SWAG
2

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