Miles for Migraine hosts 5Ks and walk events all over the US. It is a wonderful program that supports headache fellowships and they hold events in locations with hospitals that … MORE
Miles for Migraine hosts 5Ks and walk events all over the US. It is a wonderful program that supports headache fellowships and they hold events in locations with hospitals that have headache fellowships. As a physician, I can tell you that managing headaches is a headaches and we need more specialists so it’s a great event. It is also free but you are encouraged to make donations and raise money. I did one of their events in Chicago a few years ago and while it was a nice event there were some issues with course markings but I am happy to report this race in Vermont went off with no issues. Burlington, VT is a bit far for me to travel for a 5K but I was actually planning on staying in Burlington Friday night en route to Montreal for a half marathon Sunday so this race worked out perfectly on Saturday morning. There was a useful pre race email and this year they did put the course map on the website which was feedback I gave them after the Chicago race so they appear to listen to feedback. My only pre race communication complaint that is the website listed the event time as 9:30 but 9:30 was actually the time for the pre-race announcements and speaks and the race didn’t start until 10am. Not a huge deal but I thought the race was going to start at 9:30 so I’d have time to shower but with 10am I had to leave right after the race. Other than this there were no issues. The event started in a park with lots of parking. The start/finish area is set up great with booths and a moose mascot from the UVM Children’s Hospital. Packet included bib and a tote bag with flyers from sponsors and information about migraine care and products. There was the option to pay for a shirt. I really liked the shirt I got in Chicago and it was getting worn out so I purchased another one. It is a really nice, poly blend shirt and the design is slightly different each year. There were nice pre race announcements with a patient and a physician speaking. Then we left around 10am. It was a beautiful but hilly course which is typical for Vermont. It was on a very wide side walk along a main road and then through a park/golf course. The pain road had some picturesque Vermont scenery and the park & golf course were also very pretty. There are some big hills which is expected for VT. I think this 5K had more elevation gain that the half marathon I did in NJ 2 weeks ago. While I definitely prefer races on roads to sidewalks. I don’t like races on open roads and for a free race wide sidewalks and public paths seem like the best plan. This course was very well marked unlike the one in Chicago so no one got lost. There was no water stop on course but that is fine and it was mentioned. The finish area was the same as the start and was festive. My finishing time was fine for the hills and I just broke 40 minutes. You get a really nice medal for a 5K which is amazing for a free race. Heck in New England we don’t usually even get medals for 5Ks we pay $50 for. The medal though is a generic miles for migraine medal and not specific to the area (which is completely understandable for a free race and it’s not a complaint. I just wrote this to let people know if you do multiple miles for migraines events you will get the same medal each one). There is also a nice selection of post race drinks (including La Croix) and snacks such as fruit, mini muffins, granola bars etc. I gave 5 sneakers for swag as a medal and nice snacks are great for free. Overall this is an excellent event and I’d recommend it if you are in the area. As Burlington is about 2.5 hours it’s a bit far for me to do unless I go to Montreal again or do another race up in Vermont the same weekend.
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Miles for Migraine hosts 5Ks and walk events all over the US. It is a wonderful program that supports headache fellowships and they hold events in locations with hospitals that … MORE
Miles for Migraine hosts 5Ks and walk events all over the US. It is a wonderful program that supports headache fellowships and they hold events in locations with hospitals that have headache fellowships. As a physician, I can tell you that managing headaches is a headaches and we need more specialists so it’s a great event. It is also free but you are encouraged to make donations and raise money. I did one of their events in Chicago a few years ago and while it was a nice event there were some issues with course markings but I am happy to report this race in Vermont went off with no issues. Burlington, VT is a bit far for me to travel for a 5K but I was actually planning on staying in Burlington Friday night en route to Montreal for a half marathon Sunday so this race worked out perfectly on Saturday morning. There was a useful pre race email and this year they did put the course map on the website which was feedback I gave them after the Chicago race so they appear to listen to feedback. My only pre race communication complaint that is the website listed the event time as 9:30 but 9:30 was actually the time for the pre-race announcements and speaks and the race didn’t start until 10am. Not a huge deal but I thought the race was going to start at 9:30 so I’d have time to shower but with 10am I had to leave right after the race. Other than this there were no issues. The event started in a park with lots of parking. The start/finish area is set up great with booths and a moose mascot from the UVM Children’s Hospital. Packet included bib and a tote bag with flyers from sponsors and information about migraine care and products. There was the option to pay for a shirt. I really liked the shirt I got in Chicago and it was getting worn out so I purchased another one. It is a really nice, poly blend shirt and the design is slightly different each year. There were nice pre race announcements with a patient and a physician speaking. Then we left around 10am. It was a beautiful but hilly course which is typical for Vermont. It was on a very wide side walk along a main road and then through a park/golf course. The pain road had some picturesque Vermont scenery and the park & golf course were also very pretty. There are some big hills which is expected for VT. I think this 5K had more elevation gain that the half marathon I did in NJ 2 weeks ago. While I definitely prefer races on roads to sidewalks. I don’t like races on open roads and for a free race wide sidewalks and public paths seem like the best plan. This course was very well marked unlike the one in Chicago so no one got lost. There was no water stop on course but that is fine and it was mentioned. The finish area was the same as the start and was festive. My finishing time was fine for the hills and I just broke 40 minutes. You get a really nice medal for a 5K which is amazing for a free race. Heck in New England we don’t usually even get medals for 5Ks we pay $50 for. The medal though is a generic miles for migraine medal and not specific to the area (which is completely understandable for a free race and it’s not a complaint. I just wrote this to let people know if you do multiple miles for migraines events you will get the same medal each one). There is also a nice selection of post race drinks (including La Croix) and snacks such as fruit, mini muffins, granola bars etc. I gave 5 sneakers for swag as a medal and nice snacks are great for free. Overall this is an excellent event and I’d recommend it if you are in the area. As Burlington is about 2.5 hours it’s a bit far for me to do unless I go to Montreal again or do another race up in Vermont the same weekend.