Robert Frimmel's Staging Area

Looking for a 4th of July race to do while in Boston, we found this one in Foxboro, home of the Super Bowl Champs, New England Patriots. Since we didnt register early online, we had to do it race day. Usually this is a PIA, but couldnt have been easier. Laptops with printers were ready onsite and within minutes we were registered. There were a lot of pre race activity going on around the stadium from music to face painting. There was a kids run early followed by 5K and 10K. The 5K and 10K were run separately so if you were ambitious you could do both. Both races started outside of the stadium. The 5K ran around the stadium and then inside where runners ran up the ramp to the 300 level and then around the stadium and then down the ramp to 100 level and then towards the finish line on the field at the 50 yard line. The 10K ran out into the local neighborhood which was well supported with water and small cheering crowds. The course was a nice mix of rolling and flat sections. The runners headed back towards the stadium around mile 4 and then ran the perimeter of the stadium into an adjoining parking lot which was an out and back to the stadium. Once in the gates of the stadium you are at 100 level and then you go down the ramp to field level. You go under the stadium and then out onto the field at the endzone and then a quick right and head to 50 yard line/finish line. Every finisher is displayed up on the Jumbotron. Post race food was typical water, energy drink, banana, etc. There was a nice fireworks display once it was dark. Results were emailed within one hour after finishing! Pretty impressive. Overall, a nice race. Fun finishing on the 50 yard line.

This is the 8th year for this race which includes a 100 miler, 50 miler, 100 mile relay and added this year a 50K. I have run the 100 mile relay twice with a six person team and one failed attempt at the 50 miles. This time I was determined and more prepared to complete all 50 miles. The race is very well organized. Race director Bob Becker and his staff of volunteers do a fantastic job. Everything is well coordinated and organized. I will address the 50 miler in this review but if you have any question about the 100 mile relay, contact me. The race starts in Marathon at mile marker (MM) 50 with the first wave of 4 starting at 9:45am. Roughly 25 runners per wave. So being in the Keys, it is already in the 80s at the start. There was a nice tailwind of about 8-10 miles per hour. The first several miles are flat and then you reach the Seven Mile Bridge with a nice but not difficult incline. The views over the bridge are beautiful blue and green waters. Very picturesque Florida Keys. The temperature continued to climb throughout the day which meant a lot of walking and less running. During the race you have the opportunity to meet the other runners since you are either walking or running with them and commiserating about the heat. This course has NO shade so sunblock is a must as well as hats, cooling bandanas, and plenty of ice. You are allowed a support crew to assist with food and hydration. Some of the runners also use pacers. There are plenty of places to stop for extra ice and other supplies and the checkpoints always have extra water and supplements. Support crews are great and for me it was invaluable. I did get a little dehydrated around mile 20 and had to increase my water and Gatorade intact. Fortunately, the sun set and it became more tolerable to run and was as then able to run the last 8 miles with very few walk breaks. The finish is at HIggs Beach in Key West. The post race foot is plentiful with fried chicken, beer, and other goodies. And Bob Becker is there to greet each runner whether individual or team. This is great race if you want to challenge yourself in both distance and heat. Many of the elite ultrarunners do this race in prep for Badwaters. And you can make it a destination and hangout in the Keys a few days and relive all those mile markers.

This a very scenic course like no other and it is one tough challenging race. Weather was cool with a good headwind (I hate running into the wind but just put my head down and moved forward). The start is downhill with some rolling hills until mile nine when you have the longest ascent up to Hurricane Point. Then it’s a steep down hill to the Bixby bridge and mile 13 and the piano music. From there it’s rolling hills the last half of the race. Along the entire race are some of the most scenic views you will ever see. If you like races with cheering crowds, this is not the race for you. The highway is closed for the race so there are very sparse cheering along the road. There is plenty of support along the course with water Gatorade and fruit at each aid station. Further in the race GU was available. A real treat are the fresh sweet strawberries at mile 23. Plenty of cheering at the finish line with a very nice post race area. Some of my highlights from the race: scenery, ran with Dean Karnazes and beat him, ran a BQ (challenging course can get you to Boston), , took 3rd in age group. Also I ran “naked”, no watch or music. Because signal is poor in this area, I didn’t want to bother with weak or lost signals. There are no timing clocks at mile markers so I ran with the 3:35 pace group and we ended up finishing faster! This is must race. Cheers!

Great course, lots of current elite runners (Meb, Gebremarain) and many former elite runners (Rodgers, Shorter, Benoit-Samuelson). Hills in the beginning and at the end with nice flat section in the middle. Registration is by lottery and housing/lodging gets sold out quick. Many people make this part of vacation on Cape.

This is a tough course with ice and hills. The temperature is not the big issue here. It’s cold but not sub zero. Marathon Tours does an excellent job putting this race on. I was signed up for the full but ended up doing the half because of blister on foot. The trip over to Antarctica and back can be an experience. Checkout the Marathon Tours website for past videos of the trips to get an idea of the trip. This race and the entire trip is well worth it. I’m going back in 2017

Qualified for Boston at this race! Tons of fans long the route. The course is not as tough as you would think. There are the bridges but overall it’s a nice mix of hills and flat. The entire race is very well run. You have to get up early to get to Staten Island and wait until your corral and wave take off, so be prepared with blankets, food, drink. Also, at the finish, they make you walk about a mile before you get out of park. It’s definitely a must do race. What helped me was the pace band given out at the Nike booth in the expo hall. It wasnt the typical exact mile splits but took in account of the up and down hills. And if you check number of BQ, NYC has a good number who qualify.