This is my third time to run this event. It was my first half marathon a few years ago so I always want to return to it for that reason. … MORE
This is my third time to run this event. It was my first half marathon a few years ago so I always want to return to it for that reason.
So the registration fees are very reasonable for both the 5K and Half. Registration was easy as it is like most online.
They had one day for packet pickup prior to race day. It was from 11-7 at a fitness club. We showed up at 4:00 and were told all they had left in the tech shirt was small and XX Large? We had to settle for a cotton shirt. This was very disappointing as I was expecting a tech shirt that I could wear when running. We were not given any reason for the shortage. The packet contained the standard race flyers and advertisements. No other goodies.
Race Day – The race starts and ends at Mansfield Methodist Hospital. Parking was not an issue. they had some parking at the hospital but there is also an elementary school right across the street and another school just a bit further. Pre Race – plenty of water was available, a DJ was playing music and pumping up the crowd.
The race course – It was run thru some business areas, housing areas, thru old downtown Mansfield, thru another housing area, thru a park, back thru another housing area, thru some more business, and back to the hospital. Not really anything to see or what I would call scenic or a point of interest. The course had several inclines and declines, none really long or steep but you notice them. I did notice that when we started we turned right and were supposed to turn left and it became evident that they messed up as my (and everyone else) GPS were way off their mile markers. This caused issues as I figured we would just run a shorter course and when I was about a mile out of what I thought was the finish, I started to push but as I rounded the corner to the final stretch to what was supposed to be the finish they said stay to the right and go another mile. This was not expected since I thought we would just run a shortened course by about a half mile, instead it appeared that we ran more than 13.1. I know our GPS are not super accurate but by the time I finished my Nike app said 13.88 and my Garmin said 13.85. They had enough water/sports drink stops along the route. Crowd support was only at the water stops, the start/finish and a few individuals along the course. No on course entertainment.
The finish line – The medal is okay, the medallion has gotten larger from the first one I ran but the ribbon they use is the same standard red/white/blue thin width. They did have lots of water available at the finish. They also had egg tacos, pizza, BBQ sandwiches, bananas, tea, lemonade, and granola bars. I think they had chic fil a but when I finished I didn’t see it. I will say there were 181 half finishers and 500 something 5k finishers so it is possible they got all the chic fil a. The DJ was still there cranking the tunes. I stayed later to wait for a friend to finish and made an observation that I have seen before and is not unique to this event. They still had a few runners on the course but they were tearing down the post race party prior to the advertised end of party time. As I have said before they are raising money for a good cause but this years event was kind of disappointing with the shirt issues and the course goof. I would probably run again only because it is close to where I live and is very affordable plus I want to redeem my performance. My performance this year was not great but about what I expected since it is only two weeks since I ran the Houston Marathon.
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13.1 Miles Thu Mansfield
This is my third time to run this event. It was my first half marathon a few years ago so I always want to return to it for that reason. … MORE
This is my third time to run this event. It was my first half marathon a few years ago so I always want to return to it for that reason.
So the registration fees are very reasonable for both the 5K and Half. Registration was easy as it is like most online.
They had one day for packet pickup prior to race day. It was from 11-7 at a fitness club. We showed up at 4:00 and were told all they had left in the tech shirt was small and XX Large? We had to settle for a cotton shirt. This was very disappointing as I was expecting a tech shirt that I could wear when running. We were not given any reason for the shortage. The packet contained the standard race flyers and advertisements. No other goodies.
Race Day – The race starts and ends at Mansfield Methodist Hospital. Parking was not an issue. they had some parking at the hospital but there is also an elementary school right across the street and another school just a bit further. Pre Race – plenty of water was available, a DJ was playing music and pumping up the crowd.
The race course – It was run thru some business areas, housing areas, thru old downtown Mansfield, thru another housing area, thru a park, back thru another housing area, thru some more business, and back to the hospital. Not really anything to see or what I would call scenic or a point of interest. The course had several inclines and declines, none really long or steep but you notice them. I did notice that when we started we turned right and were supposed to turn left and it became evident that they messed up as my (and everyone else) GPS were way off their mile markers. This caused issues as I figured we would just run a shorter course and when I was about a mile out of what I thought was the finish, I started to push but as I rounded the corner to the final stretch to what was supposed to be the finish they said stay to the right and go another mile. This was not expected since I thought we would just run a shortened course by about a half mile, instead it appeared that we ran more than 13.1. I know our GPS are not super accurate but by the time I finished my Nike app said 13.88 and my Garmin said 13.85. They had enough water/sports drink stops along the route. Crowd support was only at the water stops, the start/finish and a few individuals along the course. No on course entertainment.
The finish line – The medal is okay, the medallion has gotten larger from the first one I ran but the ribbon they use is the same standard red/white/blue thin width. They did have lots of water available at the finish. They also had egg tacos, pizza, BBQ sandwiches, bananas, tea, lemonade, and granola bars. I think they had chic fil a but when I finished I didn’t see it. I will say there were 181 half finishers and 500 something 5k finishers so it is possible they got all the chic fil a. The DJ was still there cranking the tunes. I stayed later to wait for a friend to finish and made an observation that I have seen before and is not unique to this event. They still had a few runners on the course but they were tearing down the post race party prior to the advertised end of party time. As I have said before they are raising money for a good cause but this years event was kind of disappointing with the shirt issues and the course goof. I would probably run again only because it is close to where I live and is very affordable plus I want to redeem my performance. My performance this year was not great but about what I expected since it is only two weeks since I ran the Houston Marathon.
Nice Local Half Marathon
This was my first half and I am reviewing it many years later and after having run many events so........ This was a good little event. Fees were reasonable, parking … MORE
This was my first half and I am reviewing it many years later and after having run many events so……..
This was a good little event. Fees were reasonable, parking was free.
For your fee you get a shirt, run, finisher medal, and post race snacks.
Course was okay. Mostly flat with a few small inclines but nothing to count as hills. On course support was good. Several water stations and good police support. Little to no local residence out to watch.
Starts and finishes at a hospital so that might be good. Post race plenty of snacks and at this first event they were for runners only, had to have a bib
I have run this event a couple more times since this inaugural run. It is low cost, close to my home, so if I am looking for a run then I am there with Brooks on.