This was my second half marathon. I enjoyed the run and the location. I love the medal and I am glad I ordered the extra medal to reflect my participation … MORE
This was my second half marathon. I enjoyed the run and the location. I love the medal and I am glad I ordered the extra medal to reflect my participation in at least 2 other military related events since I had done multiple Marine Corps events. The expo was not so great to me. It seemed to open a little late, but it was kind of hard to tell with standing outside so long. Parking was ample and free. I got there when they opened and there were no race shirts! I know logistics can be difficult but evidently they were saying that the storm in another state (My apologies, I can’t recall which it was, there were unfortunately so many this year) had delayed delivery, but they should be in later. I figured for this to happen, the shirts must have been ordered late. Anyway, this was a small to mid size expo. I recall a toothbrush being shoved at me upon entry, one of the sponsors was a dental place. So when I found out I couldn’t get my shirt, the toothbrush thing seemed even more odd or stood out for me for some reason. But there is nothing exceptional to share about the expo. I used Spot Hero to reserve a parking space and I was within about a 10 minute walk to the start, which I loved. I liked that the sun was coming up over Washington and we were within view of the Washington monument and right across the street from the new Museum of African American History, it is a beautiful building. The run took us past the pier/wharf and went through a long out where I kept wondering where the turn around was, it was the hardest part of the race, but it was through a park like area once you go through the city where the various museums and tourists are. You have to be careful of them crossing the street between runners, many of them were not very patient. I had a wonderful run. I am a turtle, so I was excited to see that I could finish close to 3 hours, my first half was 3:32 with a bum knee and not enough training. I finished in 3:02 with more training and a better knee. It really motivated me at mile 10 when I realized that I was so far ahead of my first time. I thought my watch was off…lol! I do not recall anything in particular about the end of the race. I enjoyed it and might do it again if my schedule allows. I received my shirt in the mail, but it was the wrong size and was huge. I sent an email and they sent me another shirt. They were very responsive to inquiries because I had sent emails about the additional medal (as to whether they needed proof of the other races and they said it was honor system) and about the plan for how they were going to get the shirts out to us. Outside of that mishap, the race was organized, enjoyable, and the organizers were responsive. I had a good time and although I do not really like driving into D.C, this was located in a convenient place and I had no issues…easy in and easy out.
Please login to reply to this review.
Enjoyed this event, not expo
This was my second half marathon. I enjoyed the run and the location. I love the medal and I am glad I ordered the extra medal to reflect my participation … MORE
This was my second half marathon. I enjoyed the run and the location. I love the medal and I am glad I ordered the extra medal to reflect my participation in at least 2 other military related events since I had done multiple Marine Corps events. The expo was not so great to me. It seemed to open a little late, but it was kind of hard to tell with standing outside so long. Parking was ample and free. I got there when they opened and there were no race shirts! I know logistics can be difficult but evidently they were saying that the storm in another state (My apologies, I can’t recall which it was, there were unfortunately so many this year) had delayed delivery, but they should be in later. I figured for this to happen, the shirts must have been ordered late. Anyway, this was a small to mid size expo. I recall a toothbrush being shoved at me upon entry, one of the sponsors was a dental place. So when I found out I couldn’t get my shirt, the toothbrush thing seemed even more odd or stood out for me for some reason. But there is nothing exceptional to share about the expo. I used Spot Hero to reserve a parking space and I was within about a 10 minute walk to the start, which I loved. I liked that the sun was coming up over Washington and we were within view of the Washington monument and right across the street from the new Museum of African American History, it is a beautiful building. The run took us past the pier/wharf and went through a long out where I kept wondering where the turn around was, it was the hardest part of the race, but it was through a park like area once you go through the city where the various museums and tourists are. You have to be careful of them crossing the street between runners, many of them were not very patient. I had a wonderful run. I am a turtle, so I was excited to see that I could finish close to 3 hours, my first half was 3:32 with a bum knee and not enough training. I finished in 3:02 with more training and a better knee. It really motivated me at mile 10 when I realized that I was so far ahead of my first time. I thought my watch was off…lol! I do not recall anything in particular about the end of the race. I enjoyed it and might do it again if my schedule allows. I received my shirt in the mail, but it was the wrong size and was huge. I sent an email and they sent me another shirt. They were very responsive to inquiries because I had sent emails about the additional medal (as to whether they needed proof of the other races and they said it was honor system) and about the plan for how they were going to get the shirts out to us. Outside of that mishap, the race was organized, enjoyable, and the organizers were responsive. I had a good time and although I do not really like driving into D.C, this was located in a convenient place and I had no issues…easy in and easy out.
Good for a Local
This race is a no brainer for me because it is a home race for me. The water stations are frequent and well manned. The race shirt and medal are … MORE
This race is a no brainer for me because it is a home race for me. The water stations are frequent and well manned. The race shirt and medal are wonderful. This is technically a well run race but missing the little details to make it an amazing race. First, the expo was poorly laid out which made the lines for bib pickups difficult. Second, they do not have corrals based on start time nor pacers (that I could find) to help people line up in their own pace area. This meant I spent the first 3 miles stuck without an ability to move (which was probably a good thing because I went home and spent the next 72 hours at home with the flu). Additionally, while DC is beautiful and we got the chance to run by some of the monuments the majority of this course lacks any real scenery or course support. The finish line also gets a little messy. The food for runners was not easy to find and I gave up and wandered home. The people are lovely but I will probably hunt for another fall half to do since this one was relatively unremarkable.
Good race--nice medal!
The course was an out and back mostly, along the potomac, towards the zoo and back to the memorial. Would have liked to see more of the memorials but not … MORE
The course was an out and back mostly, along the potomac, towards the zoo and back to the memorial. Would have liked to see more of the memorials but not bad scenery. The shirt were nice–long sleeve, wicking. But you had to go downtown DC to the expo to get them. The after food was good and i loved the medal–the airplane rotates!
Nice race
This was very scenic. The was only one really miserable hill, but it was short and steep, much better than long and not so steep. I plan on doing this … MORE
This was very scenic. The was only one really miserable hill, but it was short and steep, much better than long and not so steep. I plan on doing this one again. The weather was great.