Matt Redmond's Staging Area

I enjoyed most of this race. The part of Milwaukee I saw was pretty nice. Stayed at the Courtyard Marriott Downtown Milwaukee, it is across the street from the packet pick up and the start of the race. Also attached to a really cool food court/beer garden. Packet pickup was easy, not a lot of booths, but enough to get what you needed if you wanted to. The shirt is a long sleeve, same for both the half and full. Kind of a strange color and design on it. 7 am start for the race was great, there was yellow warning for hot weather, I’m from the south, so it didn’t really bother me doing the half, marathoners may have other things to say. You start in downtown Milwaukee and run towards the lake to head North. Run through some interesting neighborhoods with some huge houses and by some parks. Then head south along the lake, great scenery of the lake. Everything was going well, lots of fan support through most of the race…….. then you hit the Hoan Bridge. This is the part that sucks. The bridge makes up the last 4-5 miles of the half. Luckily it was not that hot or it would have been torture. Up hill at the begining, seems to go on for ever. Make sure you get plenty of fluids at the water stop right before it. Luckily there was a big group of supporters mid way, they really helped a lot! Once you reach the peak of the bridge, it just keeps on going. The turn around is at the far end somewhere around mile 10, this is where the marathon keeps going and half turns around. I am so glad I don’t do full marathons anymore. The only good thing about the Hoan Bridge is once you head back up the other side, shorter but steeper incline, you are pretty much done. I also think the bridge goes over a sewage treatment plant, the smell was not overwhelming, but noticeable. The finish area seemed nice but I was not able to stick around. Medal is nice, basic with the race logo on it. Chocolate milk (hit the spot), chips, bananas, water at the finishline. The finishline is not near the start, so I had a 20 minute walk back to my hotel. Overall a good race, volunteers were great, a lot of the water stops were getting slammed but they kept up. The fact that this race is close to an airport is the reason I picked it, and Milwaukee seemed like a pretty cool city.

This is the second year this race has been put on with Baltimore County Police Department. I signed up 2 days before the race, so not sure about communication from the race. I did race day packet pick up which was very easy and located in the parking lot of the public safety building. They have parking onsite in the police garage, but I recommend parking in the neighborhood nearby on Goucher Blvd. The shirts were nice, since I signed up late I was given a bright long sleeve UA shirt instead of a yellow short sleeve that was advertised, which I like a lot, both were nice. The parking lot where packet pick up was also had all kinds police vehicles to check out pre and post race (a boat, swat vehicle, and a helicopter), recruiting tents and a big inflatable slide for kids. Weather was perfect for racing, about 500 5k runners and a bunch of 1 mile walkers. There are hills everywhere on this course. Run through Towson with one water stop halfway. It is one of the more challenging 5Ks I have done but I liked it, roads were closed to traffic and you loop back to the start. At the finish you receive a really nice medal, gatorade, water, chips, granola bar. They also have some demonstrations afterward but I did not stick around. I would highly recommend this race if you live in the area, well put together.

This a great race to cross Arkansas off the list. The airport in 10 minutes from the city. Lots of hotels within a mile or two of the packet pick up and race start. Small city that kind of shuts down on the weekend. There are a bunch restaurants near the convention center, no cheaper fast food type places though and hard to find a convivence store for a couple of gatorades. A few breweries are walking distance. Packet pick up was easy, there was a decent amount booths to look through, it is also the race start. Volunteers were very helpful. Race day was easy, 10 minute walk from my hotel. The bathroom lines in the convention center got really long, there are a bunch of porta potties outside by the start line that not many people were aware of and the lines were very short. The start is right outside the convention center and there is a roll up door to walk out of, so you can stay inside right up to start time if you want, which is real nice. The course is overall very average, there was a cool bridge you run over twice, a little bit through the city and a couple nice neighborhoods. The rest was nothing to look at, some you didn’t want to look at (some of the neighborhoods I would not want to be in after dark). Lots of volunteers and police at every intersection. Mostly flat race with some small hills about half way through. I would guess 40% of the race there was amazing fan support, some of the areas really did it up, the other 60% there was nothing. Would have been nice to have water/gatorade stops more often, but the weather was chilly, and the volunteers at the stops were great. The finish has a good size hill before it, once you finish you go into the convention center to get the huge medal. Its pretty ridiculously large. They offer pasta with marinara in a cup and tons of fluids which was great (4 types of soda, gatorade, chocolate milk, orange juice), and some other snacks. The shirt is nothing amazing but decent.
The ease of getting to the race really makes this the popular option for Arkansas, would definitely recommend.

I try to run races in the south in the winter, because it’s typically warmer, not this year. Unfortunately my rating of the race will be lower due to the weather, which they have no control over. The Houston Marathon definitely has the big race feel, I think there were 35,000 plus runners combined in all 3 races offered. 25 minute ride to downtown from the airport. Stayed and the Cambria Downtown Convention Center Hotel, it’s great walking distance to everything you need, especially the start. Packet pick up was about 5 blocks away, lots of vendors like a big race would have. I did not spend to much time there, but there was lots of stuff to do. You get the shirt after you finish the race, which is a bit different then others. Houston was kind of dead on the weekend, lots of hotels around, a few breweries. Cheaper food and a market to get some Powerade, were a bit tough to find. Race morning was very cold and very windy. It was in the 60s on the Saturday and had to be in the 20s on Sunday morning with the wind. Early start time, got the corral 45 minutes early, big mistake with the cold. Tons of porta potties everywhere. Race start was 7 am ish, I wore a trash bag for the first 3rd of the race due to the cold and wind, finally switched over to disposable rain coat for the rest of the race to block some of the wind. The course is mostly flat, the only hill I can remember is in the last 3 miles, and it was not that bad. Starts in the city, then you run out into the suburbs, and back. Nothing to really rave about, there was huge fountain we ran around which was interesting. Lots of crowd support for most of the race, the water/Gatorade stops were every 2ish miles, and volunteers were great. Marathon splits around mile 8 and I felt sorry for them with all of the weather. After crossing the finish and getting your medal, which was nice (state of Texas shape), you go inside the convention center, which was warm. Water, chocolate milk, bananas, chips, then there is a sit down area for scrambled eggs, sausage, and biscuits and gravy. It looked good, but I can’t eat much after a race. The shirts were something I will not hang onto very long. The walk back to the hotel was cold, they did not have the thermal blanket things to give out. Overall the race is very well put together. Volunteers were awesome, and crowd support was great, especially in the cold/windy weather (have I mentioned this yet?). Others I talked to after the race and in the airport really enjoyed it, even marathoners, I guess they did not mind the weather as much as I did.

Overall this is a very solid race. The organizers did a great job with communication before hand. Packet pickup was easy, small expo, and great volunteers. T-shirt was long sleeve, probably one I will not hang on to very long. Basic stuff at the expo, not many freebees. My hotel was in a great spot, Residence Inn Marriott Downtown. 2 blocks from packet pick up, 10 min walk to the starting line. Though the area is a little iffy (its in the city), everything was fine. $45-$55 cab ride from the airport. There is a marathon, half and 5k. Marathon and half run together for the 1st 8ish miles. 1st 3 miles were pretty packed, then it started to thin out. There were always plenty of half runners around to stay motivated, which I like. Run through the city into the suburbs, then re-trace back to the city, then into a sparse area around mile 10. Run on a trail by the water back to the city. The finish is cool, running through an arch. There were many places with lots of crowd support and many with zero. Volunteers were great, some of the early water stations were getting slammed, though it was perfect running weather (40s-50s). No Gatorade or Powerade, a thick white electrolyte drink which was not the best, but still worked. They give out gu packets on the course. Medal is pretty nice to add to the collection. I did this race to cross off Connecticut for 50 states, not sure if there are better races in the state but this had the big race feel. Would recommend for out of staters, and the locals seemed to be very loyal to this race.

Local race in Columbia MD. Smaller race, runs through the suburbs and rural areas. Almost all of it is on the shoulders of open roads, there was not much traffic on the roads, and there were lots of police and volunteers managing traffic. The hills are constant and never ending. Water stops were at appropriate distances and the volunteers were great, especially those stationed at all of the roads dealing with traffic. The course is kind of boring, there is shade on a third of it. The snacks at the end were very basic, unless I missed something better. Wet towels, bottle water, pretzels, granola bars. This race does raise money for cancer research. The medal was average and the shirt was one of the soft cotton types, pretty good. The race is what it is, a nice close to home race if you live in the area.

Very rainy day, so this will influence my opinion of race. Smaller race, starts at the University of Delaware, runs through some paved trails and mostly residential streets. Volunteers were great, medal is pretty good, and shirt was a long sleeve tech, which was also nice. There is a bar/restaurant where they had post race food and drinks. It looked good but I did not have time to partake. Race day packet pick up and parking garage right near starting line. Everything is pretty good other than the course. Out & back with some hills, mostly flat, pretty boring. If you are local it’s a good race. I think there are others in the state I liked better. No fault of the race, but the weather sucked.

This is a good race if you live locally in the northern VA area of Fairfax County. The race helps support the high school’s cross country and track programs. Very no frills race, but it has a pretty good medal and this year they gave out a nice wind breaker. Start is at a high school, you can use the bathrooms inside. Smallish race, running all on open local roads. There was not much traffic, so not a big issue. There are lots of slow incline hills on this course, they just keep coming. There are a couple good down hills, but not many. Finish on the HS track and then go into the cafeteria for regular snacks. If you live in the area definitely worth doing.

This is a small race, 40-50 10k racers, more 5k racers, but I did not see them line up. The race benefits a Children’s Hospital. If you live in the area and are looking for something to do, then it is worth while. The race starts right outside the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, plenty of parking. There are 3 races, 10K, 5k, 1 mile walk. You don’t go through the zoo at all. Most of it is in Druid Hill Park, and then some in the city (not in the very good parts). There are plenty of police officers and transportation workers on the route stopping traffic and for security. The 10K started 25 min before the 5K and was sparse, I was able to to keep other racers in sight so I did not get lost, the course is decently marked. The course avoids most of the dreaded hills in Druid Hill Park. There is a generic medal at the end and you get a decent shirt. There is celebration at the end with activities for kids and some pretty good food. Bottles of water, bananas, Gatorade, granola bars and bagels. I got a sausage, egg, and cheese from Towson Hot Bagel. Not the best race I have participated in, but it does benefit a charity and I was looking for a good training race.

This is tough course. The first mile is mostly down hill, the next 2 are mostly up hill. Nice soft cotton t-shirt, nice snacks at the end if you finish fast enough. The hot cider is great but they ran out before many walkers finished. Great community feel, look for the ladies giving out mimosas at the top of the hill around mile 2. Making this annual event.

This race is in July and can be very hot and humid. I lucked out, heat was low, but humidity was still there. A lot of it is run on unshaded streets. Packet pick up was pretty big. No shirts (you could buy them), pint glasses for the 5k and 15k. The local fans were out in mass for most of the race, more than enough water stops (which would be really needed if hotter). Great food and after party (plenty of free Utica Club beer). A lot of the food was gone when when I finished the 15k. A big race, and very well produced.

This race is in the middle of nowhere, but the production is very good. It rained for 12 of the 13 miles and there was lightning up until race time. The course is entirely in farmland (pretty boring for me), water stop had some very loyal and brave volunteers for braving the terrible weather. The finish line had lots of great food (sub sandwiches, candy & more), beer (long line). Pretty nice soft cotton t-shirt and race medal was pretty good. Not my favorite race, but again, well put together, and it was driving distance for me.

Simple race, not a lot of pomp & circumstance. Received a really cool hat instead of shirt, medal was small (if your into that). Out and back race for the half on a path, not much to look at, pretty packed for the first few miles. Weather was good, but I had a bad race. Some local support on the course. Great race if you are a local, not something I would travel a great distance for. Great snacks at the end.

The Marine Corps always puts on first rate races, I highly recommend any of their races. I did not attend packet pickup, they say you have to attend, but I was able to pick it up at the starting line. Virginia is can be very hot at this time of year, luckily is was cloudy, but still hot. Course was decent, a huge hill at the hospital. Fredericksburg is a cool city. Good finish line and snacks at the end. A good race to add to the list.

This was a huge race, it took forever to get to the starting line. The route is very average, you do run past the famous wedding chapel, pawn shop from the tv show, and finish in the heart of old Vegas, but also run through some iffy areas. Lots of people running and walking and there is a great concert with HUGE drinks at the end. Shirt and medal are eh. If you are running the 10K or half, you might as well do the 5k the night before.

This race is put on by Charm City Run, is you run races in Maryland, look for races put on by them. Route is on paved paths, can be cramped, only 2-3 people in width. Mostly flat, a big hill at the end. Not very expensive if you sign up early. Decent snacks and Hysteria Brewing beers at the end.

This was my first race after COVID. Not many people running, staggered start, rainy, cloudy, misty. Nice medal, decent long sleeve shirt. A couple free beers and some snacks at the end. The route is flat, a mix of boardwalk and roads. I am sure that running this at any other time would be a much different experience, but a greatly appreciated productions after having no races for a year and a half.

This race is huge race, and its Chicago. Cold in the morning, rain on and off the whole race. Its really cool running across all of bridges, there are some iffy areas on the route (to be expected in a big city in a big race). If you run marathons this is a must run race. There shouldn’t be a need for a review.

This was a great race, great production, good course, and fast. Run through the city and suburbs. The last few miles are down hill. Decent long sleeve shirt and medal. Great snacks after the race.

My favorite race of all time. Run through all of the cool / touristy spots in LA. It was unseasonably warm and fan support was great. Lots of hoses and water guns all over the course to cool you down. Lots of interesting runners. Mostly a down hill race, my quads were killing me for 3 days afterwards. If you are a marathon runner, this is a must do race.

This is a great race in Maryland. You run through many different areas of the city (some nice, some not so nice). There are lots of police on the course and in every part of the city there people are cheering in their neighborhoods. Some is very sparse. The medal and shirt are nice. The expo is good and after race food and snack area can be packed. The course is difficult, lots of hills. Count how many pancake rats you see during your miles.

This was my first race ever, and I learned a lot from it. Don’t dress too warm, you will heat up quick. This race goes through lots great parts of the city, lots of interesting neighborhoods.