My Profile

@nikkiwheelwright

Puyallup, WA Raving since 2023 Active 4 months, 4 weeks ago

About Me

  • Running club(s):
  • Rave race:
  • Race that's calling my name:
  • I run because:

    I run because it makes me happy.

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 (1)

Race Distance Location Date Result
Half Marathon Kent, WA Mar 18, 2023 2:14:00

Future Races (0)

Race Distance Location Date Paid

Past Races (6)

Race Distance Location Date Result My Raves My Performance
Half Marathon Kirkland, WA Oct 21, 2023
Half Marathon Seattle, WA Sep 16, 2023
Half Marathon Cle Elum, WA Aug 12, 2023
Half Marathon Carnation, WA Jun 24, 2023
Half Marathon Kent, WA Mar 18, 2023 2:14:00
Half Marathon Carnation, WA Sep 10, 2022

My Raves

If you go into the race knowing about the hills and the gravel trail section (I ran this route earlier this year), then you know what you're up against! The … MORE

If you go into the race knowing about the hills and the gravel trail section (I ran this route earlier this year), then you know what you’re up against! The first time threw me, but this is a great race! Orca knows how to party. Plenty of aid stations anytime you need it (I really appreciate that!) And the swag is always so cute! I always order a size larger t-shirt with Orca shirts, they are super soft cotton, but run small. Luckily, even if you order the wrong size, they’ll let you exchange sizes after the race!
Your can’t go wrong with an Orca race!!

DIFFICULTY
5
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5

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I have run over 50 races, and have never run in West Seattle before! How exciting! Most of the course was crowded. But I heard that next year will be … MORE

I have run over 50 races, and have never run in West Seattle before! How exciting!
Most of the course was crowded. But I heard that next year will be 2 days instead of 1, so hopefully that will solve the over-crowding.
The hardest part of the race was running PAST the finish line (while previous waves were already finishing) and still having 4 miles to go! That was a mind trip and I was not ready for it.
The race shirt and medal are always top of the line with Orca! The shirts are so soft.

(Last things! Be aware, especially if your wave is a little later, you will be parking far far away, I had to walk a mile to get to the shuttles. But the shuttles were super fast, I was very impressed I only had to wait a few minutes before loading up). I got there an hour and 15 minutes before my wave time, and barely made it to the start 30 seconds before my wave left. Part of that is because I got lost after the shuttles dropped us off.

Note for Orca…. we need better guidance after the shuttles drop us off! The email instruction showed a straight line arrow from the parking lot to the start, but there was no trail that went along that arrow! There was no one there to tell us where to go, so I (and others) took the closest trail from that arrow, the trail in the middle, and I ended up walking about 1.5 miles before I got to the start, even though the email said .5 miles…

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
2
SWAG
5

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This race was so well organized. I especially loved the motivation and encouraging words before the race! So inspiring!! They had someone sing the national anthem (I think this should … MORE

This race was so well organized. I especially loved the motivation and encouraging words before the race! So inspiring!! They had someone sing the national anthem (I think this should be done before every race!) And they even had a helicopter do a fly over! Wow!! There was a big boom truck that held a huge American flag over the start and over the finish line, just all out. And I loved and appreciated every detail! And the race shirts were so beautiful! (And they were tech shirts, so I can run in it! Yay)

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
4
SWAG
5

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This was my first trail race, so I may just have skewed expectations, but I was a disappointed in the second half of the race. (The first half was beautiful, … MORE

This was my first trail race, so I may just have skewed expectations, but I was a disappointed in the second half of the race. (The first half was beautiful, part was on a paved path, then went into the woods and next to the river), we did that loop twice, then went beyond. The beyond part felt like I was running through logging/construction path. I got lost once too because I couldn’t find a marker, I was getting the markers confused with the flag sticks the construction had all over the place. (I think I ran a little extra while I was lost, but my watch still ended up about 3/4 mile short of 13.1 at the end).
The aid station at mile 9 was stocked with such yummy food though! The best!
The finish line area was very underwhelming. No medal, no t-shirt (I want to be able to have swag so I can remember this awesome accomplishment! I would even pay extra for the option of swag). I was super bummed with the finish line food too, not much selection, and the water was warm. (I wish the aid station food could have been at the finish line too!) When I read the description, I thought there would be lawn games all over with people playing, but there was none of that (I think you had to pay for it with Suncadia? And maybe people thought it would be included too? I don’t know)
Overall, I had a great time at my first trail race. Nothing was bad enough to make me not enjoy myself. I see the potential of this race though, it could be The Best!

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
3
SWAG
1

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I love this course! It takes you along a beautiful and wide trail, you get a view of the river before heading into the woods and climbing up to the … MORE

I love this course! It takes you along a beautiful and wide trail, you get a view of the river before heading into the woods and climbing up to the turn around. And then you get a gentle downhill! There were a lot of aid stations, plenty of water, and yummy chili after the race! There was even a band so we could sit in the grass and enjoy the music and the food!
It’s a wonderful location, it was a wonderful race, we got a super soft T-shirt, and a wood medal that was also a little planter box!

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5

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The race was on a nice, wide, paved path! It's much more enjoyable than running on the streets (where I typically run)! It was also completely flat! I was super … MORE

The race was on a nice, wide, paved path! It’s much more enjoyable than running on the streets (where I typically run)! It was also completely flat! I was super impressed with Orca’s race production. The start/finish was great, there was plenty of space for everyone, plenty of toilets, awesome music, and everyone was so nice! After the race, there was plenty of food, the medal was awesome, the shirt was so soft, and the extra swag you could purchase was irresistible! I was super appreciative that I was able to switch my shirt for a different size, I wasn’t sure what size I would be and I definitely guessed wrong. Oh and I have to mention the parking! LOVE that there were actual parking lots for us to park in! I worry about parking sometimes when signing up for races, especially near Seattle. I would definitely do this race again, and would recommend it to anyone!! Orca Running, you guys did amazing! ((If I could change anything… Honestly, I don’t know that I would change anything about this race! It was great! Okay, I wish the shirt was green (run the Green, and the day after St. Patrick’s Day?) But yellow is my favorite color, so it’s one of my favorites already!))

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5
My Media

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Possibly my favorite race to date! The comic book behind this race is hilarious, so I have been wanting to run in this race since 2014! And it lived up … MORE

Possibly my favorite race to date! The comic book behind this race is hilarious, so I have been wanting to run in this race since 2014! And it lived up to ALL the hype!! There was a huge amount of food before the race even started (burrito-donut bar, anyone?) The race was along a trail and in the woods, we ran along a river and over a bridge, it’s a really great location!! The trails are super wide too, so no issues bumping into people (they had wave starts with like a minute in-between waves, to spread people out at the beginning, super smart!). There were people dressed up along the trail, with a fat cherub (blerch!) Offering people rides in a little chariot! There were couches in the middle of the woods and signs to “take a rest, you deserve it” …. and cake at the aid stations. It was amazing! I appreciated every detail this race put into making it great. It was great.
And despite having to run at a slight uphill for miles and miles…. after halfway, we got to run downhill!! (Out and back course). All the racers were in such good moods, even the fast people who are usually so serious at races!

Overall, this is THE race to do if you like having fun while you run!

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
4

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