This is a 5K/10K race in Liverpool, NY right outside of Syracuse so about an hour from Rochester. This was the closest race I could find this morning and I … MORE
This is a 5K/10K race in Liverpool, NY right outside of Syracuse so about an hour from Rochester. This was the closest race I could find this morning and I love chocolate so decided to do it even though it was a little out of my way to my next destination. I chose the shorter 5K since I was doing 2 more races this weekend. The race takes place at Long Branch Park by Lake Onandaga. There was adequate pre-race communication including a funny email about how there would be a strange sun sighting (if you live in Western NY and haven’t seen the sun in about 100 days you would get it). There was packet pick-up either the evening before or morning of the race. I got it the morning of the race since its about an hour drive. Packet included the bib and the shirt. The shirt is tech with the chocolate logo and is neon pink. I like the bold neon pink color. Not sure if everyone did though. There were also a few additional booths at the packet pick-up area. The race had a mass start with the 10Kers going 5 minutes before 5Kers. Corral was set up well with music, announcer, finishing arch and the Syracuse Orange mascot was there. This was a relatively big race, a few hundred in each distance so some sort of recommended wave start would have been better but otherwise it was well organized. The course was very nice. Not overly exciting but a pretty course along the park and the water. It was very fast and flat. Just two minor uphills at bridges. I didn’t even think of walking them so you know they are not bad. Course was well marked and there were if anything excessive aid stations for a 5K which is nice compared to the minimum there usually have been during covid. My only warning about this race is that it is a theme (chocolate) that appeals to more casual runners and walkers so there was not the best runner etiquette on course. There were a lot of people who don’t run races regularly and lots of kids. I think it is great for an event to be inclusive so it didn’t really bother me but if you are a competitive runner be warned there will be people walking side by side or taking a walking break in the middle of the course and not going to the side, etc. The 10Kers merge with the 5Kers at the end so I saw the top 10Kers weaving quite a bit. Between the excitement of a large race, the flat course, perfect partly sunny weather and the promise of chocolate at the end, I ran this race faster than I intended to since I had 2 more races this weekend. Oh well. Finish area is the same as the start. You are handed your medal which is a very nice chocolate themed medal for a short race. At the finish line I saw chocolate milk and fruit but no actual chocolate, oh no! They did have Monster energy water which was amazing! I then walked to the packet pick up area because there had to be chocolate somewhere and was handed a huge bag of chocolate. It had a full chocolate bar, importantly a chocolate chip granola bar, a hot chocolate packet, and multiple smaller bite size candy bars. The finish area also had a food truck. But it was a BBQ truck that was just selling meat and beer so I passed. Overall this was a very fun, well produced race. Nice course, great swag and great chocolate! This is one I will do again and definitely worth an hour drive.
Please login to reply to this review.
I run fast for chocolate
This is a 5K/10K race in Liverpool, NY right outside of Syracuse so about an hour from Rochester. This was the closest race I could find this morning and I … MORE
This is a 5K/10K race in Liverpool, NY right outside of Syracuse so about an hour from Rochester. This was the closest race I could find this morning and I love chocolate so decided to do it even though it was a little out of my way to my next destination. I chose the shorter 5K since I was doing 2 more races this weekend. The race takes place at Long Branch Park by Lake Onandaga. There was adequate pre-race communication including a funny email about how there would be a strange sun sighting (if you live in Western NY and haven’t seen the sun in about 100 days you would get it). There was packet pick-up either the evening before or morning of the race. I got it the morning of the race since its about an hour drive. Packet included the bib and the shirt. The shirt is tech with the chocolate logo and is neon pink. I like the bold neon pink color. Not sure if everyone did though. There were also a few additional booths at the packet pick-up area. The race had a mass start with the 10Kers going 5 minutes before 5Kers. Corral was set up well with music, announcer, finishing arch and the Syracuse Orange mascot was there. This was a relatively big race, a few hundred in each distance so some sort of recommended wave start would have been better but otherwise it was well organized. The course was very nice. Not overly exciting but a pretty course along the park and the water. It was very fast and flat. Just two minor uphills at bridges. I didn’t even think of walking them so you know they are not bad. Course was well marked and there were if anything excessive aid stations for a 5K which is nice compared to the minimum there usually have been during covid. My only warning about this race is that it is a theme (chocolate) that appeals to more casual runners and walkers so there was not the best runner etiquette on course. There were a lot of people who don’t run races regularly and lots of kids. I think it is great for an event to be inclusive so it didn’t really bother me but if you are a competitive runner be warned there will be people walking side by side or taking a walking break in the middle of the course and not going to the side, etc. The 10Kers merge with the 5Kers at the end so I saw the top 10Kers weaving quite a bit. Between the excitement of a large race, the flat course, perfect partly sunny weather and the promise of chocolate at the end, I ran this race faster than I intended to since I had 2 more races this weekend. Oh well. Finish area is the same as the start. You are handed your medal which is a very nice chocolate themed medal for a short race. At the finish line I saw chocolate milk and fruit but no actual chocolate, oh no! They did have Monster energy water which was amazing! I then walked to the packet pick up area because there had to be chocolate somewhere and was handed a huge bag of chocolate. It had a full chocolate bar, importantly a chocolate chip granola bar, a hot chocolate packet, and multiple smaller bite size candy bars. The finish area also had a food truck. But it was a BBQ truck that was just selling meat and beer so I passed. Overall this was a very fun, well produced race. Nice course, great swag and great chocolate! This is one I will do again and definitely worth an hour drive.