Thankfully, an ice storm the evening before the race didn't wipe it out. Organizers were good about sending out information, including course conditions in the early hours of Saturday morning. … MORE
Thankfully, an ice storm the evening before the race didn’t wipe it out.
Organizers were good about sending out information, including course conditions in the early hours of Saturday morning. The course was in very good shape considering the elements, as the storm was not too bad compared to a few miles north.
The start/finish is in a shopping mall parking lot, and a nearby fire station houses the check-in and post-race activities. Not a lot of room but better than standing out in the cold.
This is not chip timed, no splits on the course.
The course has some hills, notably one in the first mile, another in the sixth mile and then one around the 11-mile mark that may have the steepest grade of any hill I’ve run all year.
Good on-course support. For a small town, there are some people out to cheer you on in addition to monitoring intersections.
West Plains is a Missouri high school cross country power so the field for this event includes several young runners, and I believe that contributes to some of the spectators coming out to watch, which is nice.
This is well-organized for a small town, and the course was a good challenge.
Swag included a long-sleeve shirt. Finisher medals are nice and age group winners get a second one.
I stayed in a new hotel just up the hill from the start and had Friday night pasta at Roma, also near the starting area.
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Small-town run with plenty of support
Thankfully, an ice storm the evening before the race didn't wipe it out. Organizers were good about sending out information, including course conditions in the early hours of Saturday morning. … MORE
Thankfully, an ice storm the evening before the race didn’t wipe it out.
Organizers were good about sending out information, including course conditions in the early hours of Saturday morning. The course was in very good shape considering the elements, as the storm was not too bad compared to a few miles north.
The start/finish is in a shopping mall parking lot, and a nearby fire station houses the check-in and post-race activities. Not a lot of room but better than standing out in the cold.
This is not chip timed, no splits on the course.
The course has some hills, notably one in the first mile, another in the sixth mile and then one around the 11-mile mark that may have the steepest grade of any hill I’ve run all year.
Good on-course support. For a small town, there are some people out to cheer you on in addition to monitoring intersections.
West Plains is a Missouri high school cross country power so the field for this event includes several young runners, and I believe that contributes to some of the spectators coming out to watch, which is nice.
This is well-organized for a small town, and the course was a good challenge.
Swag included a long-sleeve shirt. Finisher medals are nice and age group winners get a second one.
I stayed in a new hotel just up the hill from the start and had Friday night pasta at Roma, also near the starting area.