Kristen Comment's Staging Area

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.