This is a race produced by RUNegades, a race company based outside of Philadelphia, where runners get leftover swag from their previous races. This is a great idea as I … MORE
This is a race produced by RUNegades, a race company based outside of Philadelphia, where runners get leftover swag from their previous races. This is a great idea as I know we all hate when a race runs out of our T-shirt size or even worse runs out of medals but I do understand the race companies not wanting to waste money or resources by buying too much swag so this is the perfect solution. Have a race using the leftovers if you end up with too much swag. The race had a pretty low entry few of $60 and though it was pretty bare bones, it was a solid race. I normally wouldn’t travel all the way to Philadelphia for a smaller race like this but I am hoping to get to Sun level in Half Fanatics next spring or summer and really wanted to do a race this weekend and this was the closest option. I do wish I thought about the logistics a little more. This is completely out of the race company’s control but driving from the Boston suburbs to the Philly suburbs going right through NYC and the NYC suburbs on Thanksgiving weekend was not a great idea. For the race I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in King of Prussia which was about a 10 minute drive from the start and convenient. There was adequate pre race communication with very clear parking instructions and a link to the location. There was the option to get packet early but I arrived pretty late and got it race day. For the packet they give you an unused bib which is kind of fun because you get a bib with a random name. There were then boxes of shirts by size. I was excited they had leftover shirts from the Blobfest race since they are really cool looking. It’s a polyblend shirt but it’s such a funny shirt and I will definitely wear it. There was also porta potties near the start. There was a start/finish arch. This race was manually timed which is fine for a more laid back, bare bones smaller race. There was about 150 participants in the half. There is also a shorter 4.1 miler. The 4.1 miler is a loop. The half marathon runs about 1 mile of the loop then does an out and back along the river trail for 9 miles and then completes the final 3.1 miles of the loop. It was all on public trail and most was paved with a small portion gravel. It was pleasant but not really exciting scenery. Not a destination race but fine for what this is. The first mile and the out and back were relatively flat. There were some hills in the final 3.1 miles but nothing too bad. Course was mostly well marked. Although it being a smaller race I was by myself a lot and could have used a few more markers for reassurance. There were mile markers and aid stations every 2 to 2.5 miles with water and electrolyte drink and the one near the middle had gels. It was a pretty quiet race but the volunteers out there were enthusiastic. I was not feeling great the day of the race and took it easy and did run-walk intervals and had a slow finish time. In terms of back of the pack friendliness there was a 4 hour time limit and there were absolutely no issues being in the back. All aid stations were well stocked, all race signs and markers were kept on course but there just weren’t many people in the back so I was alone a lot. Also the finish was a bit lack luster and of course the medals a bit picked over but that can’t be helped. I was second from last and the RD did cheer me on and I saw waited for the last runner but everyone else left so it was kind of a boring end. Again it’s fine for a race like this and for a checkbox race to level up in half fanatics but if you are a back of packer running a special race (1st half, 100th half, 50th state) you’d probably want one with a bigger celebration like the Newport Harbor Race I did last week. In terms of medals there was still one Blobfest one but it was for the 5K but I still took it. I don’t think any from half marathons were left. One thing I loved is they did put a engraved medal sticker on the back that said “Leftovers Run Half Marathon” so it was a bit specific to the race. Overall this was not the greatest race in the world but I knew that coming into it and I was satisfied with the race. I did think this is a great idea to not waste swag but also not have to worry about running out of swag. I would definitely encourage more race companies to do this instead of under ordering swag and hoping people don’t show up. I do think this was a bit far for me to travel for this race so it will probably be a one time race for me unless I really need a race this weekend to get to a specific milestone. I however would definitely recommend this to locals and would consider doing another RUNegades event. Their swag was very, very nice for all the races.
Please login to reply to this review.
More Race Companies Should Do This!
This is a race produced by RUNegades, a race company based outside of Philadelphia, where runners get leftover swag from their previous races. This is a great idea as I … MORE
This is a race produced by RUNegades, a race company based outside of Philadelphia, where runners get leftover swag from their previous races. This is a great idea as I know we all hate when a race runs out of our T-shirt size or even worse runs out of medals but I do understand the race companies not wanting to waste money or resources by buying too much swag so this is the perfect solution. Have a race using the leftovers if you end up with too much swag. The race had a pretty low entry few of $60 and though it was pretty bare bones, it was a solid race. I normally wouldn’t travel all the way to Philadelphia for a smaller race like this but I am hoping to get to Sun level in Half Fanatics next spring or summer and really wanted to do a race this weekend and this was the closest option. I do wish I thought about the logistics a little more. This is completely out of the race company’s control but driving from the Boston suburbs to the Philly suburbs going right through NYC and the NYC suburbs on Thanksgiving weekend was not a great idea. For the race I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in King of Prussia which was about a 10 minute drive from the start and convenient. There was adequate pre race communication with very clear parking instructions and a link to the location. There was the option to get packet early but I arrived pretty late and got it race day. For the packet they give you an unused bib which is kind of fun because you get a bib with a random name. There were then boxes of shirts by size. I was excited they had leftover shirts from the Blobfest race since they are really cool looking. It’s a polyblend shirt but it’s such a funny shirt and I will definitely wear it. There was also porta potties near the start. There was a start/finish arch. This race was manually timed which is fine for a more laid back, bare bones smaller race. There was about 150 participants in the half. There is also a shorter 4.1 miler. The 4.1 miler is a loop. The half marathon runs about 1 mile of the loop then does an out and back along the river trail for 9 miles and then completes the final 3.1 miles of the loop. It was all on public trail and most was paved with a small portion gravel. It was pleasant but not really exciting scenery. Not a destination race but fine for what this is. The first mile and the out and back were relatively flat. There were some hills in the final 3.1 miles but nothing too bad. Course was mostly well marked. Although it being a smaller race I was by myself a lot and could have used a few more markers for reassurance. There were mile markers and aid stations every 2 to 2.5 miles with water and electrolyte drink and the one near the middle had gels. It was a pretty quiet race but the volunteers out there were enthusiastic. I was not feeling great the day of the race and took it easy and did run-walk intervals and had a slow finish time. In terms of back of the pack friendliness there was a 4 hour time limit and there were absolutely no issues being in the back. All aid stations were well stocked, all race signs and markers were kept on course but there just weren’t many people in the back so I was alone a lot. Also the finish was a bit lack luster and of course the medals a bit picked over but that can’t be helped. I was second from last and the RD did cheer me on and I saw waited for the last runner but everyone else left so it was kind of a boring end. Again it’s fine for a race like this and for a checkbox race to level up in half fanatics but if you are a back of packer running a special race (1st half, 100th half, 50th state) you’d probably want one with a bigger celebration like the Newport Harbor Race I did last week. In terms of medals there was still one Blobfest one but it was for the 5K but I still took it. I don’t think any from half marathons were left. One thing I loved is they did put a engraved medal sticker on the back that said “Leftovers Run Half Marathon” so it was a bit specific to the race. Overall this was not the greatest race in the world but I knew that coming into it and I was satisfied with the race. I did think this is a great idea to not waste swag but also not have to worry about running out of swag. I would definitely encourage more race companies to do this instead of under ordering swag and hoping people don’t show up. I do think this was a bit far for me to travel for this race so it will probably be a one time race for me unless I really need a race this weekend to get to a specific milestone. I however would definitely recommend this to locals and would consider doing another RUNegades event. Their swag was very, very nice for all the races.