This was just such a disappointment and I ran to support a friend in her first half-I told her she should do the Chevron race in January as a palate … MORE
This was just such a disappointment and I ran to support a friend in her first half-I told her she should do the Chevron race in January as a palate cleanser. The course is completely along Allen Parkway and Memorial as an out and back, which means no shade, and if you run frequently in Houston, boring as it’s the same course every large race here uses/follows the same bayou/Memorial trails you probably train on.
The entire “expo” was just shilling for UT Health as the race sponsor and was extremely crowded-why on earth would you make everyone walk through a super narrow hallway of an office building to get to the packet pickup? Also nothing irks me more than races that pile up junk that will end up in a landfill-nearly every single booth had some plastic thing to give away.
Finally, this being October in Houston, it’s still insanely hot outside. Water stations being out of water at the halfway point of the race is unacceptable. Overall this race is mediocre and if you’re not a local, come to town in January for the real deal (and actually nice weather!)
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Extremely mediocre
This was just such a disappointment and I ran to support a friend in her first half-I told her she should do the Chevron race in January as a palate … MORE
This was just such a disappointment and I ran to support a friend in her first half-I told her she should do the Chevron race in January as a palate cleanser. The course is completely along Allen Parkway and Memorial as an out and back, which means no shade, and if you run frequently in Houston, boring as it’s the same course every large race here uses/follows the same bayou/Memorial trails you probably train on.
The entire “expo” was just shilling for UT Health as the race sponsor and was extremely crowded-why on earth would you make everyone walk through a super narrow hallway of an office building to get to the packet pickup? Also nothing irks me more than races that pile up junk that will end up in a landfill-nearly every single booth had some plastic thing to give away.
Finally, this being October in Houston, it’s still insanely hot outside. Water stations being out of water at the halfway point of the race is unacceptable. Overall this race is mediocre and if you’re not a local, come to town in January for the real deal (and actually nice weather!)
Smooth
The route changes at the last moment. But it was a great route, my first loops, and inclines. There was lots of crowd participation. I drove in from Louisiana that … MORE
The route changes at the last moment. But it was a great route, my first loops, and inclines. There was lots of crowd participation. I drove in from Louisiana that morning, parking was not good, but found a spot not far from start line, and entrance to gate.
This used to be a great race
I was so disappointed in the race this year! I have participated previously and really enjoyed it, but there were so many let-downs this year. I felt like I (and … MORE
I was so disappointed in the race this year! I have participated previously and really enjoyed it, but there were so many let-downs this year. I felt like I (and other participants) had to drag information out of the race organizers (How can friends and family track me? When will the medal/t-shirt designs be revealed? Are there water stations?). The great expo that had happened in the past, was totally non-existent. I liked the Karbach location for packet pick up, but there was only ONE vendor there, no free swag, and no guest speakers; it was a total let-down. Previous years, there was discounted parking made available to racers, but not this year. On race day, the only bathrooms that most people were aware of were the ones inside of the park where the race began and ended and they were horribly overcrowded and gross. There was road construction that was beyond the race orgainzers’ control, but to not work with the city to find an alternative route, much less to wait until only FIVE days before the race to notify participants of the change is inexcusable. I know, by contacting the Mayor’s Office of Special Events, that the closure/reroute was in discussion for at least 3 weeks before the race. There is no reason that racers shouldn’t have been notified sooner and given the opportunity to defer. The reworked course was neither fast nor flat (Fast, Flat, and Philanthropic IS the race motto) and was overcrowded. All of the hand cyclists and faster runners were getting caught up when they made their second loop and were stuck behind the slower runners still on their first lap. Additionally, it was poorly marked; my friend missed the second loop and only ran 8.5 miles instead of 13.1 and another friend missed the turn around for the 10K race and ended up running 8 miles instead of 6.2. At the conclusion of the race, I did not speak to a single person whose GPS reading was remotely close to 13.1 miles. I know that watches are not exact, but there is no way that that many people’s records were .3 – .8 miles more than 13.1 unless the course measurement was off to begin with. I have looked for the recertified USTAF course for this year’s half, and have been unable to locate it. The only good thing about the race is the nice medal and t-shirt and the fact that the beer line was short.
DISAPPOINTMENT
This was my first time but several times as spectator cheering my wife who is really the runner and I have always had a good impression of the organization overall … MORE
This was my first time but several times as spectator cheering my wife who is really the runner and I have always had a good impression of the organization overall but as participant I get frustrated to be honest, the change in the route was something that I wasn’t expecting at all, one thing was the information shared for the organization prior to the race by email and maps and other the physical signaling the day of the race that was confusing, the route was kind of boring with the repeating loops to complete the supposedly 13.1 miles and the inclination of the bridges over and over was something else. Also, it looks like the length of the race wasn’t truly 13.1, my Garmin registered almost one (1) mile more and that was the topic of discussion with most of the people that I spoke about it. I was checking the video and none of the times (Gun Time – Chip time) per my official results appeared in the video. So, with all this combined and if you will ask me if I repeat this race, I truly will say no thanks.
Very well organized
It is a very well-organized race. Little registration problem due to deferral from pandemic year but got resolved quickly. The start and finish was smooth. Long line for the porta … MORE
It is a very well-organized race. Little registration problem due to deferral from pandemic year but got resolved quickly. The start and finish was smooth. Long line for the porta potty before the start though.
The course is overall flat except few underpass. No view, except the Houston skyline maybe. Out and back course is little boring and mostly no shade at all. The medal is HUGE and very beautiful.
Houston Running MUST
-This race, which comes every fall, is a great way to test out your fitness for fall racing. If you're brave enough to sweat through training in the summer, it's … MORE
-This race, which comes every fall, is a great way to test out your fitness for fall racing. If you’re brave enough to sweat through training in the summer, it’s also a great motivation to make it through the Houston heat.
-Free group training runs months prior to the race are a great option for first-time racers or those who enjoy running with a community!
-Day-of logistics are great: bike valet, ample space to warm up / hang out before the race, and well-indicated signage take the logistical stress out of race day.
-Don’t be nervous about the Allen Parkway Hills at the end of the half–you’re sure to have plenty of fans there on the parkway, cheering you on!
-Be prepared, if it’s a sunny day, to finish racing into the sunrise. Sunglasses are helpful!
-The post-race celebration is great–just get in line quickly for pancakes & beer or you may be waiting a while 🙂
Perfect weather for a race
Well run and organized race. Post race food and drink and band in Sam Houston Park made for a nice post race experience. Course is a two mile loop of … MORE
Well run and organized race. Post race food and drink and band in Sam Houston Park made for a nice post race experience. Course is a two mile loop of SW Downtown Houston and a nice 11 mile out and back of Allen parkway/memorial. The speaker system setup between miles 3 and 8 made carrying your own music not needed.