Disclaimer: I participated in the Friday half marathon, which had a total of 39 finishers - this event also has a Saturday half, which gets the majority of runners. With … MORE
Disclaimer: I participated in the Friday half marathon, which had a total of 39 finishers – this event also has a Saturday half, which gets the majority of runners. With that said…
This race was more or a less a trail run, although not single track and not technical. However, miles 2-12 was on a snowmobiling path, which made for a very rocky run. (Miles 1 and 13 were the out and back portion on a normal road.) I AM NOT a trail runner, I generally hate trail running, but this was a nice enough course and I enjoyed the run (for a trail…) 🙂
The scenery was beautiful, since we were in the woods. There were a couple areas that were not marked with a sign telling us which way to go, but in general if you follow the rule of “always go straight unless a sign tells you to turn” it wasn’t so bad. I would, however, suggest to the race director to have a sign at EVERY POSSIBLE place where there are options. I saw no wildlife, thank goodness! (I don’t need to run into bears or moose, thanks anyway)
For the Friday event, water stations were set up, but there were no people. We were warned about this, given the small Friday event. No problem. There was water and cups ready.
The medals (for all the events) were OUTSTANDING. Beautiful! The swag was cool too, we received a long sleeve flannel shirt that I have been wearing quite a bit as it’s soft and cozy.
I chose this race as my New York race and doubled it with Vermont the next day, otherwise I probably wouldn’t have come out from California for this one… but if I lived local I’d run many of this race organization’s events as they’re top-notch. So, recommend!
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Trail-y Race
Disclaimer: I participated in the Friday half marathon, which had a total of 39 finishers - this event also has a Saturday half, which gets the majority of runners. With … MORE
Disclaimer: I participated in the Friday half marathon, which had a total of 39 finishers – this event also has a Saturday half, which gets the majority of runners. With that said…
This race was more or a less a trail run, although not single track and not technical. However, miles 2-12 was on a snowmobiling path, which made for a very rocky run. (Miles 1 and 13 were the out and back portion on a normal road.) I AM NOT a trail runner, I generally hate trail running, but this was a nice enough course and I enjoyed the run (for a trail…) 🙂
The scenery was beautiful, since we were in the woods. There were a couple areas that were not marked with a sign telling us which way to go, but in general if you follow the rule of “always go straight unless a sign tells you to turn” it wasn’t so bad. I would, however, suggest to the race director to have a sign at EVERY POSSIBLE place where there are options. I saw no wildlife, thank goodness! (I don’t need to run into bears or moose, thanks anyway)
For the Friday event, water stations were set up, but there were no people. We were warned about this, given the small Friday event. No problem. There was water and cups ready.
The medals (for all the events) were OUTSTANDING. Beautiful! The swag was cool too, we received a long sleeve flannel shirt that I have been wearing quite a bit as it’s soft and cozy.
I chose this race as my New York race and doubled it with Vermont the next day, otherwise I probably wouldn’t have come out from California for this one… but if I lived local I’d run many of this race organization’s events as they’re top-notch. So, recommend!
I love all the old forge race distances
I usually run the half marathon and absolutely love it. It is beautiful and usually perfect temperature. I ran/walked the 10k at 18 weeks pregnant and previously when I was … MORE
I usually run the half marathon and absolutely love it. It is beautiful and usually perfect temperature. I ran/walked the 10k at 18 weeks pregnant and previously when I was recently post partum. When I asked the race director if I could run/walk with the race with my newborn in the stroller or if it would be crazy to do (because I know it’s a trail race) he was like, absolutely! enjoy your 6.2 mile wooded walk (but lol no). The 10k trail is a pretty stable sandy slightly rocky little ups and downs for the first half, and then it gets hilly, and it was way tougher with a stroller than I was led to believe, but I loved it. I was at the end of the pack both races, but it didn’t feel sad since there were still people from other races finishing. Also, the post race donuts are amazing.
Very rocky terrain
The majority of the race (with the exception of the very beginning and very end) was on a snowmobiling path, which made for a very rocky run. This is the … MORE
The majority of the race (with the exception of the very beginning and very end) was on a snowmobiling path, which made for a very rocky run. This is the 6th half-marathon I’ve run (the last race I ran was a full marathon), and this was by far the most difficult course because of the rocks. My feet have never hurt so much during or after a run.
The scenery was nice, and I liked that runners were in the shade most of the time since we were in the woods. One of the big downfalls was that because there were no roads to get into the racing trail, there were VERY few spectators. My friends (and my son) came to cheer me on, but I only saw them at the finish, where everyone else was. However, because the race was smaller, it was easy to spot them in the crowd.
While miles were marked, sometimes it was confusing to figure out which way to go since all races ran along the same course. In fact, one woman who signed up for the full marathon ended up only doing the half (by accident) because of the confusing signs and nobody directing runners where to go. Water stations were set up, but there weren’t many people at those either. I’m used to races with lots of spectators and helpers, and this one seemed isolated.
The last issue I had was with timing. There were no timers at any point to let runners know their pacing, which is fine because some people use apps (I do while training but not during races). However, there was no screen at the end to let people know their time as they crossed the finish line. I was disappointed about that and waited hours to get my results online.
Old Forge is a nice area, and the other runners were super friendly. The best thing about this race was that the packet pickup area and the starting line were in the same place, making it super easy the morning of the race. The bathrooms were clean, and I could hang out in the building until the race began, and then just walk outside to the starting line. So convenient.
2nd time running this event
This was my second time running this marathon and I liked it as much as my first year. This time the swag was even cooler. The course has beautiful views … MORE
This was my second time running this marathon and I liked it as much as my first year. This time the swag was even cooler. The course has beautiful views and the other runners were encouraging.
Loved this race!
The first mile and last mile is pavement but everything in between is dirt road/gravel. Lots of little rocks to look out for so you don't roll an ankle or … MORE
The first mile and last mile is pavement but everything in between is dirt road/gravel. Lots of little rocks to look out for so you don’t roll an ankle or trip. Otherwise it was an awesome race. Perfect elevation (not too flat, not to hilly, just right). Only a few hundred did the half so it was nice if you prefer a small race. Received an awesome jacket with the race swag. I would do it again!
Great Run Through the Adirondacks!
Ran the “Loon” challenge this weekend which was a 10k on Friday evening and a half marathon Saturday morning. Both runs start and end at the same point and are … MORE
Ran the “Loon” challenge this weekend which was a 10k on Friday evening and a half marathon Saturday morning. Both runs start and end at the same point and are on dirt roads and gravel snow mobile trails that wind through the scenic mountains. Perfect definition on “rolling hills”. Nothing crazy but there are some ups and downs. Aide stations are set up at intersections as the course criss crosses itself a little. Post race was great with plenty of food and drinks for everyone and the medals were killer. Animal themed w/ glitter and bonus medals for completing a challenge.
Great race and views
Wear trail shoes for this run. Don't count on getting a new PR here, but do count on having a fun time and seeing great sights. The organizers do a … MORE
Wear trail shoes for this run. Don’t count on getting a new PR here, but do count on having a fun time and seeing great sights. The organizers do a good job with the swag and making sure everyone enjoys their event(s).