Nathan Shikenjanski's Staging Area

To start off with the 2-mile race course: it really couldn’t get much better. The course starts on a hard dirt path but it doesn’t affect performance or stride as the dirt section has a steady downhill, as does the entire race. After the first half mile on the dirt section, you come to another steady downhill into the finish line, with a turn to the line being your only turn the entire race. The course is perfect for a PR.

One downside is the course is a bit short (~1.95mi) while the 4-miler was a bit long (~4.08mi) – should be an easy fix. You are also running along the shoulder on a road they don’t shut down. It’s a small race so I wouldn’t expect them to shut the road down as it would cost some $$, but if that sketches you out I wouldn’t recommend this course.

The only downside was the race production, as the morning bib pickup was a bit hectic and the course being short threw me off a bit. I also could’ve done with a cooler t-shirt because I love the holiday race tees, but this one wasn’t my favorite style. It also costs extra to purchase.

Growing up in MN, I’m honestly surprised I hadn’t raced Grandma’s weekend. Since I ran the Milwaukee full in April, I decided to do the GB Half and was pleasantly surprised. The bib pickup was seamless and I was also able to enjoy an unlimited pasta lunch for $20. The venue was more than I expected and significantly better than TCM – lots of gels, running clothes, booths, and random vendors handing out free stuff.

The race itself was honestly a bit tougher than expected and you never have a truly flat road until the last mile. Steady headwind for the first 7 miles off the lake, luckily, the sun was to my back. Rolling, steady hills thru the first 8 miles and then the only big road with Lemon Drop before a steady downhill into town. The t-shirt was very cool but I was missing the free socks that they apparently gave out in the past. Overall, happy with the PR but I’d have more in me on a fall/winter HM.

Writing this review under the Phoenix race although I competed in the Tucson race. This is one of those races that exists solely to profit off of you – nothing special added in, the swag was awful, finishers medals were average, and if you placed… you got a pin that said “half marathon” or whatever you ran. Anytime you see a race put on by Five Star, run.

I used this race solely as a gauge of fitness for my marathon training since I was in the area and it was relatively cheap. The course was a DOUBLE OUT AND BACK on a trail in Tucson… what the heck. You also had to carry your own fuel (if you were going for time) because they didn’t have anyone at the hydration stands, just a big jug of water that you’d have to fill yourself. The race also started at 9am MT which if you have any common sense you would never do – was the race even put on by runners or just some corporation looking to make a quick buck? At least the course was on a paved trail which made it somewhat easy with minimal hills.

Overall, do not do any Five Star races unless you happen to be in the area and want to test for time. They’re poorly organized, cheap, and not designed with the runner in mind.

The only downsides of the Philadelphia Marathon weekend were the packet pickup and the security before entering the starting corrals. Expect long, long wait times for both.

However, the racing itself was awesome! You go all throughout Philly, see all the sights (Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the river, etc.), and the course itself isn’t too difficult besides a few solid hills at the end. The medal and t-shirts were sweet. I would love to do this race again but I would give others a try before doing so.

I will continue to run this one every year until I cannot anymore! I love TCM and love the support of the city while you’re running. The energy is insane and led me to a huge PR in some tough conditions!

If you want a (cheater) PR in the 5k… run this course. 200ft of loss right down the new St. Croix Crossing bridge into Stillwater, all shaded after about mile 1.5. This race also brought out some really competitive runners this year as 5 individuals finished below 16, many more below 16:30.

Although I wouldn’t consider this to be my 5k PR, I did improve my time by about 30 seconds due to the downhill. It’s never an uncomfortable downhill and easy to coast if you’re going quick or slow.

Only thing I could do without was the handful of turns in the last 400m.

Being from Stillwater, Run Stillwater hosts the main running events you’ll see in the city. This year, I believe they made some changes to the 5k and 10k courses and I thoroughly enjoyed the 5k course they had us on. Finish right by Pioneer Park with a nice crowd waiting for you. Overall, solid 5k with a solid course and crowd participation.

Peticolas was one of my favorite spots in Dallas so of course I had to bring all my friends to their 5k! The course was quick with minimal turns and no hills at all, the only downside is the heat and humidity. The post-race beer and awards were also a great touch, this was one of the coolest medals and plaques I have ever received from a race.

Whether a strong runner or you’re just there for the beer, I would strongly recommend supporting this local race!

My mom ran the Twin Cities Marathon two times back in the 1990s, two of the three marathons she ever ran. She was diagnosed with ALS back in October 2023 and has been slowly losing her ability to do a lot of typical things. I have always been a bit of a runner throughout high school but didn’t take it seriously until the past few months and decided to train – I got the opportunity to run this race in front of my mom and entire family! What a better spot to do it than the Twin Cities – beautiful weather, beautiful course, packet pickup was seamless, and so many participants cheering you on!

This was my first race back into running and it was a great start as I began my journey. I used to run back in high school and did minimally throughout college, so getting back into this with the Hot Trot was a lot of fun. The merch was okay and the course was very easy as it had little elevation the entire time – I just wish it had more shade but the early start certainly helped.

Not a very competitive field but still a great time to get out and run around Whiterock.