I am back in New England and was looking for a 4th of July Race. I chose this one since it had a 10K option and a convenient location. Pre … MORE
I am back in New England and was looking for a 4th of July Race. I chose this one since it had a 10K option and a convenient location. Pre race communication was fine for a smaller race and the website was updated. But one thing missing was the elevation profile on the course map. My dad had run this race before so I knew it was hilly but it’s be helpful to have the elevation profile to help strategize as I went a little too hard in the extra hilly first couple miles and didn’t bank energy right. For the race there is race day packet pick-up. Parking is at a local school and was easy with volunteers directing participants where to park. Bib pick-up was easy. I was very disappointed they said they were out of shirts. Unlike my race 2 weekends ago I signed up for this race over 1 months ago. I did read the sign up after it said only the first 200 registrants get a shirt. I understand it’s hard to guarantee shirts to everyone but there were over 500 participants so over half didn’t get a shirt which seems a bit ridiculous. I think there were more participants than usual but it seems like you could account for that and order more shirts. And the record number of participants couldn’t have been unexpected since I had to be over the 200th registrant and I registered within enough time to get more T-shirts made. I mean I have plenty of race shirts so it’s not the end of the world but if getting a shirt is important to you then sign up right away. The start is on one of the streets and is separate from the finish. The start was kind of a mess. There were clear start flags and an announcer and anthem but the announcer was not easy to hear if you weren’t listening. They announced the 10K would start at 8am and the 5K would start 2 minutes later. They said only 10Kers should line up but there were some 5Kers mixed in who weren’t listening. It didn’t really mess up the 10K race but I’m not sure if it affected the timing as those runners would have a 2 minute start. I don’t think they were purposely cheating just confused. After the start everything was well-organized. The course is a loop with 10Kers doing a much larger loop. As I expected at the split (which was well marked and had volunteers) a lot of people who started with us went to the 5K turn. The course was on quiet roads. It was not closed to traffic but there weren’t many cars and there were volunteers at all intersections. It was very pretty and lots of trees and some flowers. It was pleasant scenery. There were accurate mile markers and 3 aid stations with water. However there were also a ton of hills. About 400 feet of elevation gain and it was humid. It was a tough race and my finishing time was not great but I survived. There were no medals or finisher swag so I got zero swag items and the bib was generic. There was a fun finisher area with fourth of July pastries and fruit and coffee. Even being near the back I was cheered on at the finish and there were lots of food. Overall this was an okay race. Depending on where I end up living I may do it again if it is the closest July 4th race but I wouldn’t go out of my way for this race.
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Hot & Hilly
I am back in New England and was looking for a 4th of July Race. I chose this one since it had a 10K option and a convenient location. Pre … MORE
I am back in New England and was looking for a 4th of July Race. I chose this one since it had a 10K option and a convenient location. Pre race communication was fine for a smaller race and the website was updated. But one thing missing was the elevation profile on the course map. My dad had run this race before so I knew it was hilly but it’s be helpful to have the elevation profile to help strategize as I went a little too hard in the extra hilly first couple miles and didn’t bank energy right. For the race there is race day packet pick-up. Parking is at a local school and was easy with volunteers directing participants where to park. Bib pick-up was easy. I was very disappointed they said they were out of shirts. Unlike my race 2 weekends ago I signed up for this race over 1 months ago. I did read the sign up after it said only the first 200 registrants get a shirt. I understand it’s hard to guarantee shirts to everyone but there were over 500 participants so over half didn’t get a shirt which seems a bit ridiculous. I think there were more participants than usual but it seems like you could account for that and order more shirts. And the record number of participants couldn’t have been unexpected since I had to be over the 200th registrant and I registered within enough time to get more T-shirts made. I mean I have plenty of race shirts so it’s not the end of the world but if getting a shirt is important to you then sign up right away. The start is on one of the streets and is separate from the finish. The start was kind of a mess. There were clear start flags and an announcer and anthem but the announcer was not easy to hear if you weren’t listening. They announced the 10K would start at 8am and the 5K would start 2 minutes later. They said only 10Kers should line up but there were some 5Kers mixed in who weren’t listening. It didn’t really mess up the 10K race but I’m not sure if it affected the timing as those runners would have a 2 minute start. I don’t think they were purposely cheating just confused. After the start everything was well-organized. The course is a loop with 10Kers doing a much larger loop. As I expected at the split (which was well marked and had volunteers) a lot of people who started with us went to the 5K turn. The course was on quiet roads. It was not closed to traffic but there weren’t many cars and there were volunteers at all intersections. It was very pretty and lots of trees and some flowers. It was pleasant scenery. There were accurate mile markers and 3 aid stations with water. However there were also a ton of hills. About 400 feet of elevation gain and it was humid. It was a tough race and my finishing time was not great but I survived. There were no medals or finisher swag so I got zero swag items and the bib was generic. There was a fun finisher area with fourth of July pastries and fruit and coffee. Even being near the back I was cheered on at the finish and there were lots of food. Overall this was an okay race. Depending on where I end up living I may do it again if it is the closest July 4th race but I wouldn’t go out of my way for this race.