This was my 6th year (in a row) running this race - and probably my last. Race organizers changed hands in 2019, and difference showed. Management and production is poor. … MORE
This was my 6th year (in a row) running this race – and probably my last. Race organizers changed hands in 2019, and difference showed. Management and production is poor. First of all, there was no pre race communication (via email)! No reminders, or information was circulated. I began to wonder if I’d just thought I’d signed up, but actually hadn’t. And the website is pretty juvenile. As for the race itself: In 2019, the course was short (12.9 for the half marathon), and this year it appeared to be too long (13.3)!! As others have said, too few porta potties and traffic (?) led to a start delay and mass start of all three races (5k is a new addition, adding extra congestion to the last mile). Runners actually boo’ed the announcer when he said the race would start 15 minutes late. Aid stations were the worst I’ve ever seen – 2-3 volunteers handing out plastic (paper, please!) cups. I was forced to skip one or two aid stations because there was no cup available when I ran through. Far more volunteers are needed. Gels were around mile 8 or 9, but I saw one person was handing them out. On course directions and/or markings could be better, and the last mile or so is horrendous – faster half runners have to weave around 5k/10k walkers / slow joggers in a narrow lane next to traffic. Not the way I want to finish my race. Race medals were very poor – generic ribbons and a plain medal that didn’t even attach to the ribbon – the medal kept falling off until I lost it. A total corner was cut there. Awards were not given for categories indicated on the website (Masters, Grandmasters). There were no race photos. The after-party band (which played during brunch and while waiting for awards) was a terrible hard rock/ heavy metal band – not a crowd pleaser. I heard many negative comments about it the band. This race used to be SO much better. In 2019, I emailed the new race director some constructive criticism only because I loved this race in the past and saw things change for the worse. Sadly, most errors were repeated, and then some, this year. I won’t go back.
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Going downhill fast
This was my 6th year (in a row) running this race - and probably my last. Race organizers changed hands in 2019, and difference showed. Management and production is poor. … MORE
This was my 6th year (in a row) running this race – and probably my last. Race organizers changed hands in 2019, and difference showed. Management and production is poor. First of all, there was no pre race communication (via email)! No reminders, or information was circulated. I began to wonder if I’d just thought I’d signed up, but actually hadn’t. And the website is pretty juvenile. As for the race itself: In 2019, the course was short (12.9 for the half marathon), and this year it appeared to be too long (13.3)!! As others have said, too few porta potties and traffic (?) led to a start delay and mass start of all three races (5k is a new addition, adding extra congestion to the last mile). Runners actually boo’ed the announcer when he said the race would start 15 minutes late. Aid stations were the worst I’ve ever seen – 2-3 volunteers handing out plastic (paper, please!) cups. I was forced to skip one or two aid stations because there was no cup available when I ran through. Far more volunteers are needed. Gels were around mile 8 or 9, but I saw one person was handing them out. On course directions and/or markings could be better, and the last mile or so is horrendous – faster half runners have to weave around 5k/10k walkers / slow joggers in a narrow lane next to traffic. Not the way I want to finish my race. Race medals were very poor – generic ribbons and a plain medal that didn’t even attach to the ribbon – the medal kept falling off until I lost it. A total corner was cut there. Awards were not given for categories indicated on the website (Masters, Grandmasters). There were no race photos. The after-party band (which played during brunch and while waiting for awards) was a terrible hard rock/ heavy metal band – not a crowd pleaser. I heard many negative comments about it the band. This race used to be SO much better. In 2019, I emailed the new race director some constructive criticism only because I loved this race in the past and saw things change for the worse. Sadly, most errors were repeated, and then some, this year. I won’t go back.
So disappointing
Way too few portalets at the beginning, NONE on the course and NO TP at the end. Poor directions at the beginning. Late start, maybe they told us why but … MORE
Way too few portalets at the beginning, NONE on the course and NO TP at the end. Poor directions at the beginning. Late start, maybe they told us why but no loud speaker. No national anthem at the beginning. Very lackluster. I have run the First Watch Half and the Sarasota Music Half in the past and have never been so let down with the poor race organization. I hope the organizers of this race get their act together for next year or I am afraid it will cease to be in existance. The course is beautiful even amid construction is some areas near the start and finish. Beautiful water views and beautiful neighborhoods. There were areas where the 5K runners and the 10K runners were running into the half marathon runners, places where we were too close to traffic. They need to rethink the entire production. I hate to see it disappear. They need help!
Disappointing again
This race used to be so great! So many problems this year that makes me think the new race organizers are cutting corners. I hope for next year the organizers … MORE
This race used to be so great! So many problems this year that makes me think the new race organizers are cutting corners. I hope for next year the organizers get more sponsors or get what they need to make up for so many things. Last year after the race there was an apology emailed out, with promises that this year would be better. It was worse! Lack of portalets, lack of organization at the start, poorly marked turn around for the 5k folks, zero portalets on the course, plastic cups at water stations, lack of water/Gatorade supply, no photographers, shirts are ugly as well as medals, and only unisex sizing when at registration we could choose, ran out of food and water for the half marathoners, lack of bands on the course, lack of volunteers on the course to help people, and the main hard rock band at the brunch was horribly loud. I really wish the organizers could get some more help to make this the fun race it used to be!
Most poorly run race ever experienced
I've run in over 50 races around the country, and this was the most poorly organized of all. Starting with about a dozen port-a-johns for thousands of runners (causing a … MORE
I’ve run in over 50 races around the country, and this was the most poorly organized of all. Starting with about a dozen port-a-johns for thousands of runners (causing a public health issue with people going in the bushes of the Van Wezel grounds and on the route), no announcements, no signs where to assemble, no national anthem, no starting gun, no restrooms on route, dangerous plastic (not paper) cups at stations, very few bands, very inaccurate course measurement, unimpressive medal compared to previous years, post race breakfast had cold pancakes, no coffee or juice. As a Sarasotan, this race was an embarassment to our fine city and there should be an apology. Obviously, this for-profit race was designed to make the promoters a lot of money at the expense of runners and tourists. Avoid this race and wait until a proven promoter takes it over. Our beautiful city deserves better and should not allow a permit for next year unless improvements are guaranteed.
The website is inaccurate in details
Basically the description on the website is not truthful about the race. Here are some examples 1. NO bathrooms along course and only about ten at the start. A poor … MORE
Basically the description on the website is not truthful about the race. Here are some examples
1. NO bathrooms along course and only about ten at the start. A poor runner next to me had to ask a resident if they could use their bathroom.
2. My husband ran half and they gave him the wrong chip – he cant even be found as registered
3. they ran out of water at the aid stations. They only had gu at mile 12 station ( a little late at this point)
4. They started late because people couldn’t get to the parking area and the bathroom lines were so long
5. Mass start of all three races
6. no corals or staging based on pace
7. I was given half marathon medal but ran the 10K – didnt realize until I was home
8. overall poorly done race
Not run well at all
10 potties for 3,000 runners, delayed start time, mass start no labeling of corrals by finish time, no potties on course, shirt and medal not great MORE
10 potties for 3,000 runners, delayed start time, mass start no labeling of corrals by finish time, no potties on course, shirt and medal not great
Hardly a music half new event company
This is my third year running this race. The first year was great! Last year a new event company took it on as well as a new main sponcer. The … MORE
This is my third year running this race. The first year was great! Last year a new event company took it on as well as a new main sponcer. The race was pretty much like the year before. But this year was different. There was hardly any music. Definitely not a MUSIC half marathon! Wish I would have brought my headphones. The shirt has to much advertising, hardly see the race name. The mile markers were mostly wrong and alot just missing. Not even sure the distance was correct. Breakfast was smaller than before. Good thing I got in on the early bird special for next year! Not worth much money except it’s local. The medal was no where near as fancy. Some places on the route runners running different directions had to cross to get water. They even had way more perticipants than last year so more money. Why so low budget?? Very dissapointed with the race, not my results!
Nice temperature
Asphalt and concrete course. Plenty of water stations. Very few music stations this year. Good hot breakfast after race. Nice technical short sleeve shirt. Race results posted fast. Nice medal. … MORE
Asphalt and concrete course. Plenty of water stations. Very few music stations this year. Good hot breakfast after race. Nice technical short sleeve shirt. Race results posted fast. Nice medal. Earlybird pricing $50.
Best One I've done Yet!!
I would say that this course is all around the best one that I have ever ran on. It was organized, it was packed with all sorts of goodies, and … MORE
I would say that this course is all around the best one that I have ever ran on. It was organized, it was packed with all sorts of goodies, and the course itself wasn’t all that difficult!!!
Nice race - inexpensive if early sign up
Since it is a music half marathon there are lots of bands. Nice technical short sleeve shirt and fancy medal. Can pick up number on the morning of the race … MORE
Since it is a music half marathon there are lots of bands. Nice technical short sleeve shirt and fancy medal. Can pick up number on the morning of the race (race begins at 6:30am). Great breakfast provided after race by Metro Diner. Mostly flat course. Results posted day of race.