Angela McNaul's Staging Area

I’ve now run this race two years in a row, and unfortunately, the same problems continue to show up—despite the very premium price tag. At $180, runners deserve far better race support than what’s currently being offered.

Let’s start with the fuel: Both years, the race prep guide promised flat Coke and gummy bears (candy etc) after mile 21—neither ever materialized. There was also supposed to be Gu at three different stops. If it was there, it was either gone incredibly early (meaning there wasn’t enough), not at all visible or not handed out at all. For such a long, mentally and physically draining course, especially in the later miles, this is a huge oversight.

The course itself is beautiful but sparsely supported. There are long stretches where you’re running completely alone, which is fine—until it’s not. I missed a crucial turn near the playground around mile 25 and ended up going off course for a bit. Turns out, I wasn’t the only one. That spot desperately needed better signage or a course marshal. And on the very long trail stretches any sort of marker to let you know you were on course would be helpful. For a race with this price point, more directional support and visual markers should be standard.

The cotton race shirts, while soft, just aren’t practical. For $180, a technical shirt should be the minimum. Runners want shirts we can actually train in—not another tee for the donation pile.

The pros? Spectator access is fantastic. It’s one of the easiest races for friends and family to hop around the course and cheer at multiple locations. The volunteers—though few and far between—were enthusiastic and kind. Special shout-out to the table of young ladies around mile 20 who were dancing, yelling names, and creating an amazing vibe just when it was needed most. Free race photos are always appreciated and a perk.

The finish line? Beautiful location—terrible execution. The boardwalk isn’t roped off, and I had to weave around people walking their dogs and casually strolling across the finish line. That’s really not acceptable for a race that brands itself as a competitive, fast course.

Grottos pizza sounded like a fun post-race perk, but the line was so long we couldn’t even get in. It’s a tiny location and totally overwhelmed by the number of runners.

So why did I run it again? It’s close to home. It’s early in the season before the heat ramps up. Rehoboth Beach is absolutely gorgeous. And the course is fast and flat.

But still, I can’t help but feel like I paid a premium for what amounts to a DIY experience with some nice scenery. If the organizers want repeat runners and rave reviews, they need to address these same issues—year after year, they keep showing up.