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@RunnerGirlKT

Mamaroneck, NY Raving since 2016 100 Half Marathons Club, Marathon Maniacs #13340, Half Fanatics #8306 Active 3 months, 4 weeks ago

About Me

  • Running club(s):

    We Run NYC Running Club

  • Rave race:

    Flying Pig 1/2 Marathon

  • Race that's calling my name:

    Rome Marathon

  • I run because:

    I really like to eat…and running is cheaper than therapy…and I’ve apparently become one of those weirdos who enjoys it.

My Races

Organize, track & review your races and personal bests here.

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Half Marathon

Marathon

Ultramarathon

(Marathon or Ultra) + Half

Marathon + Ultra

Other

Future Races

Personal Bests (10)

Race Distance Location Date Result
Marathon Virginia Beach, VA Mar 17, 2019 5:54:42
Half Marathon New York, NY Dec 9, 2018 2:34:01
10 Miler Bronx, NY Sep 29, 2019 2:04:35
7 Miler New York, NY Feb 9, 2020 1:16:42
10K Philadelphia, PA Sep 15, 2018 1:11:11
5 Miler Greenwich, CT May 27, 2019 58:04
8K Virginia Beach, VA Mar 16, 2019 1:00:48
4 Miler New York, NY May 14, 2017 47:21
5K Philadelphia, PA Sep 17, 2017 33:22
1 Miler New York, NY Sep 9, 2018 9:40

Future Races (2)

Race Distance Location Date Paid
Half Marathon Gettysburg, PA Apr 28, 2024
Half Marathon Morristown, NJ May 19, 2024

Past Races (105)

Race Distance Location Date Result My Raves My Performance
8K Virginia Beach, VA Mar 17, 2024
Half Marathon Virginia Beach, VA Mar 17, 2024
Half Marathon New York City, NY Feb 25, 2024
Half Marathon New York, NY Jan 28, 2024
10K Pelham, NY Nov 25, 2023 1:16:47
Half Marathon Philadelphia, PA Nov 19, 2023 3:04:10
8K Philadelphia, PA Nov 18, 2023 1:14:12
10K Sleepy Hollow, NY Oct 28, 2023 1:23:40
5K Weston, CT Oct 22, 2023 38:01
Half Marathon Ridgefield, CT Oct 22, 2023 2:59:46
Half Marathon Norwalk, CT Oct 1, 2023 3:12:33
10 Miler Bronx, NY Sep 17, 2023 2:15:05
10K New York, NY Jun 10, 2023 1:15:02
Half Marathon Hamden, CT May 27, 2023 3:11:49
Half Marathon Mystic, CT May 21, 2023 2:57:24
Half Marathon Morristown, NJ May 7, 2023
Half Marathon Redding, CT May 7, 2023 3:18:04
Half Marathon Sleepy Hollow, NY Mar 25, 2023 3:03:36
Half Marathon New York City, NY Mar 19, 2023 2:59:03
Half Marathon New York, NY Jan 22, 2023 2:55:46
Half Marathon New York, NY Dec 11, 2022 2:57:17
5K Redding, CT Nov 24, 2022 37:35
8K Philadelphia, PA Nov 20, 2022 1:15:06
Half Marathon Philadelphia, PA Nov 20, 2022 2:55:59
5K Weston, CT Oct 23, 2022 37:34
7 Miler Ridgefield, CT Oct 16, 2022 1:31:08
5K Norwalk, CT Oct 2, 2022 36:06
Half Marathon New York, NY Apr 10, 2022 2:58:28
Half Marathon Virginia Beach, VA Mar 20, 2022 3:02:41
8K Virginia Beach, VA Mar 19, 2022 1:05:24
Half Marathon New York City, NY Feb 27, 2022 3:13:12
8K Philadelphia, PA Nov 21, 2021 1:21:53
Half Marathon Philadelphia, PA Nov 20, 2021 2:58:05
Marathon Staten Island, NY Nov 7, 2021 7:01:02
Half Marathon Ridgefield, CT Oct 17, 2021 2:46:52
Half Marathon Norwalk, CT Oct 3, 2021 3:08:51
10 Miler Bronx, NY Sep 26, 2021 2:05:54
Half Marathon Sleepy Hollow, NY May 15, 2021 3:06:16
5K Dobbs Ferry, NY 2021 37:17
Half Marathon Gettysburg, PA Oct 17, 2020 2:38:30
Half Marathon Rock Hill, NY Mar 8, 2020 2:40:06
Half Marathon New York City, NY Feb 23, 2020 2:38:27
7 Miler New York, NY Feb 9, 2020 1:16:42
Half Marathon New York, NY Jan 19, 2020 2:36:59
Half Marathon New York, NY Dec 8, 2019 2:39:25
Half Marathon Philadelphia, PA Nov 23, 2019 2:38:25
Half Marathon Yonkers, NY Oct 20, 2019 2:43:45
Half Marathon Norwalk, CT Oct 6, 2019 2:43:54
10 Miler Bronx, NY Sep 29, 2019 2:04:35
Half Marathon Ridgefield, CT Sep 22, 2019 2:58:33
Half Marathon Lagrangeville, NY Sep 15, 2019 3:00:30
Half Marathon Fairfield, CT Jun 2, 2019 2:44:49
5 Miler Greenwich, CT May 27, 2019 58:04
Half Marathon Redding, CT May 5, 2019 2:54:34
Half Marathon New York, NY Apr 14, 2019 3:00:45
Marathon Virginia Beach, VA Mar 17, 2019 5:54:42
8K Virginia Beach, VA Mar 16, 2019 1:00:48
Half Marathon New York City, NY Feb 24, 2019 2:49:11
Half Marathon New York, NY Jan 20, 2019 2:38:26
Half Marathon New York, NY Dec 9, 2018 2:34:01
Half Marathon Pelham, NY Nov 24, 2018 2:34:32
Half Marathon Morristown, NJ Oct 21, 2018 2:39:49
Half Marathon Norwalk, CT Oct 20, 2018 2:34:53
Half Marathon White Plains, NY Oct 14, 2018 2:42:20
Half Marathon New Rochelle, NY Oct 7, 2018 3:14:14
Half Marathon Philadelphia, PA Sep 15, 2018 2:49:58
10K Philadelphia, PA Sep 15, 2018 1:11:11
1 Miler New York, NY Sep 9, 2018 9:40
Half Marathon Fairfield, CT Jun 3, 2018 2:39:16
Marathon Cincinnati, OH May 5, 2018 6:45:43
Half Marathon New York, NY Apr 15, 2018 2:37:36
Half Marathon Montclair, NJ Mar 25, 2018 2:43:57
Half Marathon Sleepy Hollow, NY Mar 24, 2018 2:43:40
Half Marathon New York City, NY Mar 18, 2018 2:36:30
Half Marathon Rock Hill, NY Mar 11, 2018 2:36:56
Half Marathon Norwalk, CT Oct 14, 2017 2:46:01
Half Marathon White Plains, NY Oct 1, 2017 2:47:49
5K Philadelphia, PA Sep 17, 2017 33:22
Half Marathon Philadelphia, PA Sep 17, 2017 2:48:37
Half Marathon Fairfield, CT Jun 25, 2017 3:04:42
5 Miler New York, NY Jun 24, 2017 1:04:00
Half Marathon Niagara Falls, Canada Jun 4, 2017 2:53:52
4 Miler New York, NY May 14, 2017 47:21
5K Bronx, NY Apr 29, 2017 35:35
Half Marathon Danbury, CT Apr 2, 2017 2:45:57
Half Marathon Sleepy Hollow, NY Mar 25, 2017 2:46:06
Half Marathon Transverse, NY Dec 11, 2016 2:46:16
Marathon Philadelphia, PA Nov 20, 2016 6:16:50
Marathon Staten Island, NY Nov 6, 2016 6:26:15
Half Marathon White Plains, NY Oct 2, 2016 2:53:05
5K Philadelphia, PA Sep 18, 2016 35:26
Half Marathon Philadelphia, PA Sep 18, 2016 2:50:54
Half Marathon Fairfield, CT Jun 26, 2016 2:56:00
Half Marathon New York, NY Apr 17, 2016 2:42:40
Half Marathon Sleepy Hollow, NY Mar 26, 2016 2:40:43
Half Marathon New York City, NY Mar 20, 2016 2:36:25
Half Marathon Rock Hill, NY Mar 13, 2016 2:56:49
Half Marathon Savannah, GA Nov 7, 2015 3:23:39
Half Marathon Yonkers, NY Oct 18, 2015 2:47:42
Half Marathon Brooklyn, NY Oct 10, 2015 2:46:45
Half Marathon Cincinnati, OH May 3, 2015 2:49:59
Half Marathon Lake Placid, NY Jun 8, 2014 3:14:30
Half Marathon Gettysburg, PA Oct 20, 2013 3:00:37
Half Marathon Washington, DC 2013 2:47:59
Half Marathon Philadelphia, PA 2013 2:57:35

My Raves

This year's weather was cold, but sunny with no wind. I was originally supposed to run the half, but had to drop to the 10k due to the time limit … MORE

This year’s weather was cold, but sunny with no wind. I was originally supposed to run the half, but had to drop to the 10k due to the time limit not being inclusive to back of the pack runners. The RD did offer me an early start, but with open roads and having run 18 miles last weekend, I thought dropping to the 10k to be the best option. Why the race didn’t just offer early start in general, which would attract more runners, I don’t know.

Despite your bib having a tear off for post race food, there was no real post race food to speak of…just mandarin oranges, bananas, and frozen granola bars.

All racers, no matter the distance, get the same medal and long sleeve tech shirt. The shirts were to be picked up after the race and the bib had a tear off for the shirt, but they were just laid out on a table before the race so anyone could just grab one and then even grab another after the race, which seemed like a bad idea to me. Had I run the half, I’m sure there would’ve been no shirt for me.

Logistically, this is an easy race having the start/finish right by the train station so you can either take the train in or just park there. Will I do this one again? Maybe. I ran it in 2018 before its 5 year hiatus, so I would like to run the half again, but not with such an elitist time limit.

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This year's expo seemed to be a little thinner than last year's, but the race weather was perfect. I hear that security was a nightmare, but I got there right … MORE

This year’s expo seemed to be a little thinner than last year’s, but the race weather was perfect. I hear that security was a nightmare, but I got there right when it opened so breezed through and got a seat in the warming tent to pass the time until the race started. This year’s weather was perfect (I even wore shorts!), and the medal as always was very nice…though unfortunately the race ran out for the slower runners (I started early since I was doing the challenge). I’m sure they were disappointed, but the race is doing all they can to make up for it and promptly addressed the issue which was caused by record race turnout. This year’s shirt was again a long sleeve tech shirt featuring a running Ben Franklin kite and all. The challenge medal is huge and the entire reason I do the challenge when I run this event haha.

The course itself is a nice running tour of Philly and while it has some hills of note, I wouldn’t call it hard just challenging at times. Due to the weather, crowd support along the race course was amazing. My disappointment from this year is no street pretzels at the finish. Those I missed, but the other usual post race snacks were there and I had to run along to the 8k anyway.

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I ran this one as the second piece of the Patriot Challenge. I must say that my performance was better than years past having run 13.1 miles beforehand. We got … MORE

I ran this one as the second piece of the Patriot Challenge. I must say that my performance was better than years past having run 13.1 miles beforehand. We got beautiful weather for our run along the Schuykill River. I wouldn’t call the course challenging, but it’s a big loop so you will retrace most of your steps. That being said, it’s a fun time, with people dressing up and plenty of spectators along parts of the course to keep you motivated. This year, the shirts were tech long sleeve which was a nice change. If I had one critique it’s that there was less variety of food than last year, but there was still plenty.

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Beautiful day! Weather was unseasonably warm so I had to change my outfit plans, but aside from that it was great. Great costumes, neighborhood support, scenic course (with some killer … MORE

Beautiful day! Weather was unseasonably warm so I had to change my outfit plans, but aside from that it was great. Great costumes, neighborhood support, scenic course (with some killer hills). Fun long sleeve shirt design. Plenty of post race food/drink. A fun kid’s race. Ample free parking. Will definitely be adding this one to my list of yearly races.

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This race is an enjoyable, small town, race. Some year I'll do the half marathon, but since I ran one the week before I knew I wouldn't make the time … MORE

This race is an enjoyable, small town, race. Some year I’ll do the half marathon, but since I ran one the week before I knew I wouldn’t make the time limit this year. The half marathon course is apparently beautiful, the 5k course is a jaunt through residential roads so you get to see the various fall colors and Halloween decorations.

This year, said fall colors were pretty muted since it was raining the whole time. The jaunt in the rain was worth it for the warm local donuts, in my opinion. The 5k now gets medals too which was a nice surprise, and the shirt (although it’s cotton) is pretty comfy.

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The weather this year was perfect, the race shirts are cozy as heck, and they had vegetarian hot dogs at the finish. What more can a girl ask for? Early … MORE

The weather this year was perfect, the race shirts are cozy as heck, and they had vegetarian hot dogs at the finish. What more can a girl ask for? Early start to be reinstated. For whatever reason they got rid of early start this year, and started everyone at the early start time with the course being open for the same amount of time. So I don’t understand why early start got nixed this year. I ran most of the race by myself with maybe one other person in sight. This both took a little away from my race experience and was unsafe in my opinion since most roads are open (even though there’s very little traffic in Ridgefield, CT early on a Sunday morning).

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Nice swag as usual. High quality medal as usual. Course was pretty safe for the back of the pack even though most of it is open to traffic with police … MORE

Nice swag as usual. High quality medal as usual. Course was pretty safe for the back of the pack even though most of it is open to traffic with police and volunteers directing. Could’ve used one or two more water stops this year since it was pretty humid since it rained all day the day before and temperatures rose quickly. I started when it was in the upper 50s or so and finished a little 3 hours later in 75 degree heat.

This was my 5th? time running this race and my slowest to date. That being said, I was still within the course time limit and I wasn’t last. Upon finishing, runners are given a tag on their bib for a beer, pizza, ice cream, and raffle. When I finished, everything but the beer was gone and the raffle was over. This is unacceptable. If a race advertises these finish perks, why on earth would they all be gone for the last finishers? Those finishers who are still within the time limit and, arguably, need sustenance more than anyone else after being on a warm and humid course for 3+ hours need more than an apple and a few cookies. I honestly expected more. When I ran faster times, these perks were all there (and it was only about 30 minutes faster). Course support was great, so what gives, SoNo?

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The weather was once again perfect. The course is relatively challenging, with very few (if any) flat sections. The first half is net uphill. The only positive being that the … MORE

The weather was once again perfect. The course is relatively challenging, with very few (if any) flat sections. The first half is net uphill. The only positive being that the second half is net downhill since the course is an out and back.

The shirt this year is pretty nice. The medal is almost identical to NYRR’s other races, the only difference seeming to be that each features a different bridge.

The one thing that annoyed me about the race is that NYRR doesn’t enforce their “no hydration packs” policy. I saw at least 10 people wearing one, even seeing a volunteer talking to one of these people without even mentioning it.

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I've always wanted to run this race, but have never been able to as I've always had to work on Saturdays. Luckily, my new job gives me Saturdays off! The … MORE

I’ve always wanted to run this race, but have never been able to as I’ve always had to work on Saturdays. Luckily, my new job gives me Saturdays off! The weather this year was gorgeous with the smoke from the Canadian wildfires clearing out just in time so that the race could go on. Race day central was near the Naumburg Bandshell, where NYRR often has it set up for spring races. Unfortunately, this meant a 1 mile trek to the start. I could’ve taken the C train, but it was such a nice day that I decided to make the walk.

The race course is mainly in Central Park, with the first mile or so being down West 5th Ave. There were a record number of runners this year, so the course was pretty congested with a couple of bottlenecks along the way. I wouldn’t, thus, necessarily call this one a PR race. Thankfully, the course doesn’t involve Harlem Hill, but you do go up the other hills in the park.

The finish was the most congested of all. Flowers and medals are given to finishers, but the flowers were only on one side, whereas medals were on both, so I missed out on getting a flower. Likewise, the recovery bags were only one one side so it was a madhouse to get one. The medal is cute, the shirt is good quality (but unfortunately white). Shirts are picked up after the race (if you picked up your bib on race day), so you’ve got to be fast if you want a smaller size. Lucky for me, the only sizes left were L and XL.

I would definitely run this one again as it was a blast, but I think some changes do need to be made to the post finish medals/flowers/bags so hopefully that’s done next year.

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I don't know that I'd do this one again. The course was not very well marked and the turns were confusing as it doubles back a couple of times. If … MORE

I don’t know that I’d do this one again. The course was not very well marked and the turns were confusing as it doubles back a couple of times. If there wasn’t a volunteer at a turn, you weren’t always sure which way to go and there was rarely an arrow telling you to keep straight after an intersection. The course map is also confusing, often with arrows in both directions as the course is an out and back. The most confusing bit being the start. The start is just a line on the ground saying “HM start” and there’s no arrow telling you which direction to start in. The race offered an early start, which I did, which was just a few of us told to start a half hour early with no one to direct us or send us off. Thus, a few of us started in the wrong direction as the course map seemed to indicate to do so. We didn’t find out until we were 2 miles in. Luckily, the RD told us where to turn around on the course to get the proper mileage without having to run 17 miles.

I can’t speak to the scenery in the second half of the course, but from the course map it looks like it would be pretty. I can say that the paved rail trail is nice as it is completely tree lined and shady. The race is aptly named as it was very hilly and I’m sure those hills continued through the rest of the course.

The course is open to traffic, with police at major intersections. This really wasn’t an issue as Hamden is a pretty sleepy town on a Saturday morning.

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I have always wanted to run this race and finally got my chance. It's a beautiful tour of Mystic by foot. I've been told the second half is boring, but … MORE

I have always wanted to run this race and finally got my chance. It’s a beautiful tour of Mystic by foot. I’ve been told the second half is boring, but it’s basically on streets in the woods so it’s still pretty and wonderfully shady. I got to town on Saturday and they offered early packet pickup which I took advantage of. My boyfriend, bless his heart, came up with me and drove me down the road from our hotel to the race start. Don’t be fooled by the more expensive hotels that are right by Mystick Village, we were about a half mile down the road and the hotel cost about half as much. It was also easy for him to come back to see me finish at the aquarium.

We had beautiful weather and the course is basically flat for the first half with the hills I’d actually label as hills in the second half, the worst of which (in my opinion) are right after the split from the 10k and up to mile 12.

They didn’t seem super strict on the time limit as I saw a few people behind the 3 hour pacer by a good amount and there was a race bicycle support person following behind. As long as you get to around the split with the 10k in around an hour and a half they don’t seem too crazy about the limit which is nice, past years having results up to about 3:30.

The medal this year was pretty awesome and your race bib got you some discounts in town including 20% off aquarium tickets which we took advantage of. I will definitely be doing this one again.

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This year was sadly the last year for this race. Luckily it went out with amazing weather, great swag as always, and tons of hills. As the race tag line … MORE

This year was sadly the last year for this race. Luckily it went out with amazing weather, great swag as always, and tons of hills. As the race tag line says, small town, big hills.

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The weather this year was pretty meh since it drizzled on and off the whole race, with more steady rain in the last couple of miles. The temperature, however, was … MORE

The weather this year was pretty meh since it drizzled on and off the whole race, with more steady rain in the last couple of miles. The temperature, however, was pretty perfect for a race and we got to run in Rockefeller State Park which is always a treat. Runners as always received a technical long sleeve shirt and a medal which now features the new Tappan Zee Bridge instead of the Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse.

The only negative I would say is that, for us slower folks, the finish area was essentially packed up by the time we rolled in which meant no post race food, etc. and the only photos taken of the race were finish photos. I’m sure the weather had something to do with it as that’s normally not the case.

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This was my 6th time or so running this race, 2nd with the new course. While my performance was less than stellar, I still enjoyed this race. It was on … MORE

This was my 6th time or so running this race, 2nd with the new course. While my performance was less than stellar, I still enjoyed this race. It was on the colder side this year, especially given the wind, but the day was beautiful and it was honestly perfect running weather in Wave 5 with a start time about 9:20.

This is my favorite half marathon for a reason as you basically get a running tour of NYC and part of Brooklyn and the race photos show it. This year, they had photographers set up at spots that had nice backdrops such as Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn, the Manhattan Bridge, and Times Square.

The bib pickup this year had more of an expo feel than recent years, but I still wouldn’t call it an expo as it was all NYRR for the most part with the addition of race merch from New Balance. They did have a wall of runners’ names which was pretty cool and it was walking distance from Grand Central which was convenient.

I took a bus in on race morning from Westchester Road Runner in White Plains which made getting to the start convenient and easy with no subways involved and a nice warm bus with a bathroom on board to wait on for my wave time, or at least pretty close to it.

My only complaints this year are that security was pretty disorganized and the start area porta potties ran out of toilet paper. The medal this year was a clean design and made from recycled materials which is pretty cool.

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I always ask myself why I'm running this race again since you go up Harlem Hill a total of 3 times instead of the 2 that just about every other … MORE

I always ask myself why I’m running this race again since you go up Harlem Hill a total of 3 times instead of the 2 that just about every other Central Park race has, especially since the weather can be so wildly unpredictable. It’s probably because it’s a great value for the cost (especially if you’re a NYRR member), I can take the train/subway, and it’s my birthday weekend.

This year’s race had ideal weather as it was unseasonably warm and the rain held off until Sunday evening. It was perfect running weather; mostly cloudy and mid/upper 30s to low 40s. The sun even made an appearance.

The swag was the usual knit pom pom hat and the medal got a makeover from the stopwatch design of the past few years to a baseball style hat which was cute.

This race has more course spectator turnout than others in the Park, but that was likely because of the weather. For us back of the pack runners, we also had to deal with more people on the race course in the later miles, but there’s not much to be done about that since Central Park is a public space. NYRR did their best – racers had part of the path coned off with signs every so often pointing racers to the left and everyone else to the right, but there’s really no way to police that once the herd thins out.

The coolest part of the race this year was that I wore a shirt that said “birthday race” so I had just about everyone on the sidelines (and even the announcers) wishing me a happy birthday. I guess only someone who’s truly half crazy celebrates their birthday with a half marathon haha.

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The weather this year was pretty good; the rain/snow didn't really start until later in the day so it was just cloudy and a little chilly. The medal is pretty … MORE

The weather this year was pretty good; the rain/snow didn’t really start until later in the day so it was just cloudy and a little chilly. The medal is pretty spiffy and long sleeve tech tee has the same logo. The cool thing for the 5k is that it’s the same medal as the half just says “5k” instead of “Half” on it.

The course is 2.5 loops of Central Park so the scenery isn’t bad, but oh my the hills. Harlem Hill twice, Cat Hill 3 times. So much fun (said no one ever), yet something keeps me coming back. Not a destination race, but a good local one that is well organized.

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I've done other races from this race director, but this was my first Turkey Trot. The roads are open for this one, but there is so little traffic you won't … MORE

I’ve done other races from this race director, but this was my first Turkey Trot. The roads are open for this one, but there is so little traffic you won’t even notice. This year we had ideal running weather and if it weren’t for the last hill about mile 2.4 that doesn’t seem to end until you’re right about to finish the race, I would’ve had a better time haha.

In terms of swag, few races give as awesome a collection of items as this one. Not only do you get a cute medal, you get a printed race bib, gloves, and a beanie. There’s also a nice selection of food including donuts and bagels and hot chocolate. Since the race start/end is right by the Redding Community Center and packet pickup is inside, you have a warm place to hang out waiting for race start as well as legit bathrooms (there are also porta potties). There is packet pickup available the day before, but I had no problem picking up day of.

My only complaint is that I grossly underestimated how tricky it would be to exit the parking lot of the community center. I should’ve parked in the adjacent elementary school lot. The community center has one entrance/exit…which also happens to be the start/finish. Thus, there are so many people standing around it’s nigh impossible to exit and I’m slow so there weren’t a ton of people behind me. It would’ve been nice if there was some crowd control to keep the one lane clear for cars trying to get in/out. That being said, I’d definitely run this one again and recommend it to anyone looking for a fun trot, I’d just say avoid parking in the community center lot at all costs.

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I have very few criticisms of this race. Again the weather was perfect, a little nippy, but perfect running weather. The expo could have more to offer, but I got … MORE

I have very few criticisms of this race. Again the weather was perfect, a little nippy, but perfect running weather.

The expo could have more to offer, but I got to meet Bill Rogers and Bart Yasso so I can’t entirely complain.

The race started on time this year, despite the security lines being insane. They could use some policing on those lines as far too many people were just cutting in at the front, slowing down the whole process. The checkpoint I was on line for ended up with two lines that had to merge. It was frustrating to say the least.

Once again, the medal is awesome. I did the Patriot Challenge (13.1 and 8k) and all three medals are quality, the half medal and challenge medal more so, but the 8k medal is solid.

Staying on 19th st, I was able to walk everywhere. To and from the train station, to the expo, and to the race start/finish. If you stay in city center you’ll be able to walk everywhere, but the race does offer shuttle buses to the start/from the finish to hotels that are farther out.

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I unfortunately had to drop down from the half marathon, but am thankful to not have had to run up the long hill on the half marathon course. That being … MORE

I unfortunately had to drop down from the half marathon, but am thankful to not have had to run up the long hill on the half marathon course. That being said, the course was definitely not flat. It was, however, through some nice residential areas where the streets were open, but there was very little traffic and in the more trafficked areas, runners had a coned off lane.

The tee shirt for the 5k is nice and a soft material. The half gets a long sleeve tech tee. No medals for the 5k, but we got fresh warn donuts after and they raffled off Jet Blue tickets. Parking was easy as the race starts/ends at a school and day of packet pickup was equally easy. It was also nice to be able to hang out in a warm area with real bathrooms until race start.

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I had to drop down to the 7 mile from the half marathon because I had COVID in August and it totally threw off my training plan. It was such … MORE

I had to drop down to the 7 mile from the half marathon because I had COVID in August and it totally threw off my training plan. It was such a perfect day I was a little bummed I was only running 7, but as a slower runner it was nice to have a bunch of people to run with and finish with as the speedier half marathoners were keeping me company. I felt a little bad for the slower half marathoners this year as there was no early start (still a course time of 3:15) as they would’ve been pretty alone in those later miles.

The hooded long sleeve was once again the shirt and it’s a little longer this year and oh so cozy. The medals this year were wood which is pretty cool and were pretty locally made in S. Salem, NY. Non traditional medals are always spiffy in my book.

The course itself is nice as you run in charming suburban areas and the Halloween decorations were pretty fun to see as well. A little hilly, but I’d say it’s more challenging than outright difficult. The roads are open, but runners have cones to run within in the busier sections and the rest is pretty sleepy on an early Sunday morning. Police and volunteers are at all the key places and I can’t say I ever felt unsafe on the course.

The post race food is mostly hot dogs and hamburgers, but they also had pretzels and bagels. As a vegetarian I would’ve liked to see a veggie burger/hot dog option, but at least I had options for post race food. Race parking is easy and all options are within .25 miles from the start/finish and free which is always a plus. I consider this one to be a staple local yearly race. I wouldn’t say it’s a destination race, but if you’re in the area it’s definitely worth doing and is one of the better organized small local races I’ve run.

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While I've run this half marathon many times before, I had to drop to the 5k as COVID totally messed up my training plan so this was my first time … MORE

While I’ve run this half marathon many times before, I had to drop to the 5k as COVID totally messed up my training plan so this was my first time running that distance at this race.

As always, the race and the swag was pretty on point as was the post race party.

The weather, on the other hand, wasn’t great. It was a bit chilly, a little humid, and pretty windy. I was disappointed in having to drop to the shorter distance, but the weather this year made me kind of happy that I did haha. It all conspired to make the cold biting (even though it wasn’t truly all that cold and when you were out of the wind it was pretty decent running weather). At least the rain held off?

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This is one of those local hometown races that are well organized, but not a destination race. Just about every half marathon in Central Park has the same course. The … MORE

This is one of those local hometown races that are well organized, but not a destination race. Just about every half marathon in Central Park has the same course.

The weather this year was pretty perfect. The only negative thing I can really say about the race is that the horse carriages and bike taxis don’t seem to understand that there’s a race in progress and don’t respect the coned off lane for runners. NYRR could definitely use to better mark the course, maybe with more cones so they aren’t as spread out as well as more volunteers holding the line of the course

Excitingly, the medal was finally re-designed this year.

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Packet pick up at the race expo was super easy. I was a little disappointed in the bibs this year, but due to COVID considerations, they were good for the … MORE

Packet pick up at the race expo was super easy. I was a little disappointed in the bibs this year, but due to COVID considerations, they were good for the situation if a little on the small side. I ran the Dolphin Challenge this year (the 8k on Sat and the 1/2 on Sun). Both races had tech shirts (short sleeve for the 8k, long sleeve for the 1/2). Aside from the race merch, the expo was a little underwhelming, but again…COVID.

I stayed at the Oceanfront Inn which was a perfectly suitable hotel for a race weekend. No frills, family owned, one of the host hotels so it was right at the finish (and start of the 8k).

The weather this year was perfect. The race course is incredibly flat. That being said there is a mile or so that is all an incline, though not a terribly noticeable one. The course is pretty scenic, said incline being tree lined, and Fort Story being pretty attractive itself, featuring a pair of lighthouses and service members who come out to make sure the course is secure as well as cheer on the runners. There are also water stops that pop up by people along the course featuring beer.

In addition to high quality medals, finishers of both the half and full marathons received a blanket with the 50th Shamrock logo, a hat also with the logo, and a drawstring backpack to put it all in so you can still hold your beer (of which you get 4 free with your race bib from Yuengling…options being their light beer or regular lager).

The post race experience is even more fun in a huge tent right on the beach which offers aforementioned Yuengling, live music, and Irish stew (both vegetarian and beef). Since my hotel overlooked the finish tent, I was able to have a couple beers, go to my room and shower, and come back for some more beers on the beach. I also got to put my feet in the ocean (which was a great ice bath).

I would call this one a must do. I traveled by myself this year and have honestly never had so much fun at a race.

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It's a pretty out and back course for the 8k, the out being in the shade and the back being mostly on the boardwalk and in the sun. That being … MORE

It’s a pretty out and back course for the 8k, the out being in the shade and the back being mostly on the boardwalk and in the sun. That being said, the weather was gorgeous, but heated up fast. The time limit on this race is 2 hours which is plenty of time to walk it and plenty of people walk it in their most festive St. Patrick’s Day attire. A beer coozy (and actual beer) await you at the finish. Since this year was the 50th running, the coozy was better quality than in years past and was gold with the 50th logo on it. The medal is pretty awesome for a shorter race and features the Irish prayer “May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, and may the sun shine warm upon your face” on the back which was a lovely touch.

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The weather this year was perfect and all runners were required to show proof of vaccination either on race day when picking up their bib or emailed in to have … MORE

The weather this year was perfect and all runners were required to show proof of vaccination either on race day when picking up their bib or emailed in to have their bib mailed home to them.

The course is the usual central park race course, this one being 2.5 loops of the upper part of the park, cutting out the lower loop.

Runners have cones to protect their lane and divide those finishing from those going onto their second lap. That being said, Central Park is open to the public so you’re sharing that lane with other runners and even, at times, bike cabs who don’t seem to realize that lane isn’t for them.

Post race, a pretty good spread is offered of hot cocoa (if it’s under 55 degrees out), a variety of bagels, and Dole fruit cups.

The course has a 3.5 hour limit, but in most of their half marathons the results go up to almost 4 hours so this isn’t the strictest of limits.

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I was thankfully also running the half marathon, or else the line to get into the expo would've been entirely ridiculous. My performance also would've been better if this race … MORE

I was thankfully also running the half marathon, or else the line to get into the expo would’ve been entirely ridiculous.

My performance also would’ve been better if this race wasn’t what amounts to the last 5 miles of an 18 mile run. The course is an out and back adjacent to the Schuykill River trail, so it’s definitely beautiful. It’s also the opposite direction from the finish of the half marathon, so you can get some energy off of the back of the pack finishers from the half and cheer them on as well. Race weather was also perfect this year and the crowds from the start until Logan Circle were nuts…but then there are no spectators really until you’re coming into the finish.

The medal for the 8k is nice, not too small, but definitely not large. That being said, there are few 8k’s out there that give finisher medals at all.

I was pleasantly surprised that the race provided enough food at the finish for the 8k finishers, even those of us at the back of the 8k pack, since the half marathon is the same morning, and just about all of the food choices were vegetarian or vegan which I appreciated greatly.

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This was my second time running the half marathon during marathon weekend in Philly. Because of COVID, all runners had to be fully vaccinated in order to participate this year. … MORE

This was my second time running the half marathon during marathon weekend in Philly. Because of COVID, all runners had to be fully vaccinated in order to participate this year. That meant that there was an insane line to get into the expo since they had to verify vaccination status. Thankfully, I only had to wait about a half hour when I went, but I heard the wait got up to over 2 hours at times. The expo was also a bit smaller this year.

Security on race morning was very efficient and the race even set up a warming tent for runners by the starting corrals.

Race day was perfect weather and the course was a running tour of the city, passing by various historical landmarks and neighborhoods. That being said, the race was supposed to start at 7am to accommodate the new Patriot Challenge (running the half marathon followed directly by the 8k). Unfortunately, it didn’t start until about 7:20. Luckily, challenge bibs let you hop into any corral you want. I’d rather not start with much speedier runners, but time constraints necessitated it.

The medal was awesome as usual, complete with a ringing Liberty Bell and the Patriot Challenge medal is equally awesome, not to mention rather huge.

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The first thing you have to understand about this year's marathon, is it was less than half the normal field thanks to COVID and the international travel ban in the … MORE

The first thing you have to understand about this year’s marathon, is it was less than half the normal field thanks to COVID and the international travel ban in the US.
The expo was smaller and I honestly didn’t find anything worth visiting aside from the New Balance area and the official marathon experience.
The shirt is great, I love the design and the sizing (though it ran small as usual) fit perfectly as I’m between sizes anyway.
On race morning, I took the train/subway/ferry to SI as I live in the NYC area and wasn’t starting until noon. Which brings me to this: The noon start was entirely unnecessary. With such a reduced field, honestly they barely needed 4 waves, forget the full 5. Brooklyn was hopping as usual, but starting at noon means that those of us who were on the course the longest had the least support after the first 12 miles or so. Coming off the Queensboro Bridge into Manhattan is described as faster runners as a “wall of sound like none other”. Unfortunately, I got off of the bridge to silence. Nary a cowbell, Manhattan right off of the Queensboro was as silent as the bridge itself. Then the blip in the Bronx practically felt unsafe it was so devoid of people aside from runners and, thankfully, the 2-3 police stationed along the course.
I didn’t have the best race as my hip flexors weren’t happy with me as of mile 7 or so, but I trudged through. As of the Willis Ave Bridge I couldn’t run anymore and walked the rest of the race.
Central Park was fun and NYRR volunteers were handing out glowsticks. The finish line after dark was hopping. Honestly, that awesome 50th medal is almost all that kept me going to the finish.
We thankfully got to exit the park at 72nd street this year, which was a nice change. Everyone got a finisher poncho, but they weren’t special for the 50th which I’d hoped they’d be.

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I ran this one for the second time this year. I had my packet mailed to me, though there is pre-race and race day pick up. Parking is easy as … MORE

I ran this one for the second time this year. I had my packet mailed to me, though there is pre-race and race day pick up. Parking is easy as there is a shopping center right near the race start/finish.

This year’s swag was another hooded long sleeve shirt and the medal was locally made from locally sourced birch, which was nice and unique.

The course is open to traffic, but there isn’t much in the way of traffic early on a Sunday morning in Ridgefield. Intersections are covered by police and volunteers.

The course isn’t flat, but rolling hills is an accurate description. This year’s course was slightly different from 2019, but not noticeably and the race is also a 7 mile.

My only complaint is that, despite the race offering a 15 minute early start, by the time I finished all there was in the way of food was the BBQ hamburgers and hot dogs. Great for omnivores, not so great for vegetarians like myself. Not even a piece of fruit in sight.

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We had a beautiful day, but the humidity and the fact that it warmed up pretty fast resulted in a pretty slow time...but I wasn't last! Swag, as always, was … MORE

We had a beautiful day, but the humidity and the fact that it warmed up pretty fast resulted in a pretty slow time…but I wasn’t last!

Swag, as always, was awesome. You get a tech tee, buff, great medal, and this year the reusable bag says “I ran the SONO Half Marathon 5k/13k”. They added a new distance this year of 13k which is the same 8 miles as in the half marathon so both started together with the 5k starting after.

The hills are pretty much all in the first 9 miles, so it’s flat or downhill after that mostly. The course is open to traffic for the most part, but runners mostly have a coned off lane to run in, a shoulder, or in some cases the sidewalk. Drivers in Norwalk aren’t known for their patience or caring if a race is going on despite the advanced notice of signs all over town saying there’d be a race and until what time to expect delays.

Water stops were every 2 miles or so on the course, offering both uCan and water.

The course was a little different this year, but nothing major in the way of changes. In past years, the race runs over to the aquarium, across the river, and up some dirt trails, but that part was taken out this year.

As always, race parking was super easy. If you get there early enough (by about 7:15) you can park at Veteran’s Field (where the race day HQ is), but there are close municipal lots and even street parking in the neighborhood nearby. Post race, you get beer, pizza, and ice cream (there are tags on the bib for each), but if you’re slow you only get beer and I was told that the ice cream never appeared.

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Race day weather was perfect. Couldn't ask for better conditions. The course is basically rolling hills, out and back on the Grand Concourse with a turn-around on the Mosholu Parkway. … MORE

Race day weather was perfect. Couldn’t ask for better conditions. The course is basically rolling hills, out and back on the Grand Concourse with a turn-around on the Mosholu Parkway.

Roads were definitely in better condition this year than 2 years ago. Getting to the start is very easy with multiple parking options in the area and a subway stop right by race day central.

I didn’t notice photographers along the course as in 2019, but I’m assuming that’s a COVID thing.

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This race is usually run in March, but was moved to May due to COVID. They offer early packet pickup at Westchester Road Runner in White Plains which was super … MORE

This race is usually run in March, but was moved to May due to COVID.

They offer early packet pickup at Westchester Road Runner in White Plains which was super easy as always. The shirts this year are short sleeved as it was in spring and feature a mask design on the front which is quite amusing. Again, runners could park in the back lot of the high school which is safe and an easy walk to the start/from the finish, the only negative is that it’s at the top of yet another hill which adds insult to injury after you finish lol.

Unfortunately, the race start time was not made earlier as the date of the race was now 2 months later than usual, which meant that it was already quite warm when the race started and, by the time the slower runners reached the stretch on the road with little shade, it was already above 70.

There were 3 water stops on the course that were only a couple miles apart (about a mile between each) and one house had blessedly brought out the hose to spray runners down as we passed upon request. Sufficed to say, by mile 10 I was quite hot and walked a good part of the last 5k of the race…but I wasn’t last, so huzzah!

The medals this year were a nice design featuring the Tappan Zee bridge and, as part of COVID protocol, we were given bags of food/water/goodies at the finish. The plus to being slower is that we got to take multiple bags.

I have to say, I prefer the March date for the temperatures, but it was nice knowing the race would be the course through Rockefeller State Park as there is no snow threat in mid-May. I hope if the race is held later in the year again that the start time is moved up to be earlier than 9:30.

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Race weather was perfect this year. They offered early packet pickup the day before the race or morning of. The bibs and shirts are super cute. They had holiday music … MORE

Race weather was perfect this year. They offered early packet pickup the day before the race or morning of. The bibs and shirts are super cute. They had holiday music playing at the start and finish, some homes along the course were playing holiday music, just about everyone was festively dressed. The race is definitely walker and family friendly and allows both strollers and dogs. Be warned though, it’s hilly, but what goes up must come down, right?

Race morning logistics are easy since the race starts at Mercy College and ends a short walk about in downtown Dobbs Ferry.

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This race is normally held in April. Due to COVID it was moved to October. Due to the pandemic, there was no race day packet pickup this year. Participants who … MORE

This race is normally held in April. Due to COVID it was moved to October.

Due to the pandemic, there was no race day packet pickup this year. Participants who chose to race in person (as opposed to going virtual) had the option to have their packet mailed to them (for a fee) or pick it up on Friday or Saturday at a drive-up packet pickup. I picked up in person and it was super easy with no wait.

Race morning was a little chilly, but gorgeous (I was in the AM wave). There were no corrals, just an open start. So cross the starting line when you’re comfortable. Runners were required to wear a mask before starting and after crossing the finish and there was a table with hand sanitizer right by the start/finish.

The course goes through part of the battlefield along the driving tour and is mostly an out and back loop, but the hills really don’t stop rolling. No hill was overly steep or too long, but they just keep coming.

The joy this year was palpable as most runners hadn’t run an in-person event since March when the pandemic began. The roads were open, but there were people directing at intersections. That being said, I saw maybe 6 cars total the entire race.

Once crossing the finish, runners entered a tent where we got a bag of food (including a blueberry bagel which is my fave) and our medal and a pint glass. Traditionally, the glass would be given to runners registered for the “winning” side (North or South), but since the half was split into an AM wave and a PM wave and there was no awards ceremony, everyone got one.

Race communication was great before the event and after and everything was well organized. I felt safe the entire event and don’t think I’ve enjoyed a race this much in a long time. The medal is awesome, the shirt is awesome, runners also got a race sticker and the pint glass.

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The race starts and ends right at the Ramada in Rock Hill so it's super easy to stay there, roll out of bed, and walk to the start. The race … MORE

The race starts and ends right at the Ramada in Rock Hill so it’s super easy to stay there, roll out of bed, and walk to the start. The race offers packet pickup both Saturday evening and Sunday morning and the hotel offers people staying there a continental breakfast and an affordable rate.

The weather this year was perfect and the race offers a walker start, early runner start, and then the general start and the finish line stays up until the last person finishes. It’s truly the only race I’ve run that is completely inclusive of all paces. The race course is definitely not flat and is basically a loop course…meaning some hills you run down you run up and vice versa. It’s definitely not a PR course for most, but that’s not the point of this race. This race benefits cancer patients 100% and you can even purchase a sign to honor someone who has fought or is fighting cancer (you run past this motivational mile twice, so you can pick up your sign on your way back).

The race swag includes a jacket and a pretty nice medal and the race director is awesome, sending out multiple emails to keep runners in the loop. The post race food is supplied by Outback and a local Italian restaurant. Runners are given a bracelet for either chicken or steak, salad, veggies, and bread from outback and the baked ziti supplied by the Italian restaurant is open to all.

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I ran this race for the second time. While last year it was raining, this year it was gorgeous. Full sun, light breeze, and about 40 at race time which, … MORE

I ran this race for the second time. While last year it was raining, this year it was gorgeous. Full sun, light breeze, and about 40 at race time which, because of all the sun, quickly rose to near 50. I ran in shorts, calf sleeves, and a light long sleeve shirt and quickly rolled my sleeves up to the elbow.

They could’ve used more porta potties by the race start. Since the weather was so nice, there was a great runner turn out…but with maybe 10 or so porta potties by the corrals, the lines started snaking down to the corrals and they had to redirect the line. There were still quite a few people on it at race start despite there being porta potties along the course. Hard to plan for, I know. Usually the same amount is just fine when the weather is cold or wet.

The course is that ever fun 2.5 loops of Central Park (minus the lower part of the park) meaning Harlem Hill x2 and Cat Hill x3. The course was especially congested today because everyone in NYC seemed to be walking/running/biking/etc. in Central Park because the weather was so perfect.

Swag was pretty adorable. Shirt has the same image as the medal which featured Central Park residents (squirrels, rats, and raccoons) ice skating.

The food spread was a little disappointing, only because the bagel options were either plain or sesame…no cinnamon raising which is my personal favorite, but they also had apples, bananas, and hot cocoa (which it was honestly too warm for).

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This race used to be in August, but was moved to February. Race day packet pickup was easy as was bag check. The race started about West 63rd and finished … MORE

This race used to be in August, but was moved to February. Race day packet pickup was easy as was bag check.

The race started about West 63rd and finished about East 72nd. The course was very congested, especially since many people started in a corral they didn’t belong in and created obstacles to go around. It didn’t really thin out until after the 5k mark. I have to say, though, it was nice to only do the hills once for a change as the only part of the park you run twice is the flatter southern portion.

So here comes the main complaint…the race shirts were really nice in their design this year. For a race that doesn’t offer a medal, you’d think NYRR would pay close attention to the sizes people list upon registering. I’ve never had this issue in the past (since a women’s large is effectively a medium which is the most popular size) but they had no reasonable sizes left. The only women’s sizes were medium (read: small) and 2XL or they had men’s large and up. So my shirt would fit two of me. I am not happy. That means plenty of runners were picking up shirts they didn’t put down the size for. NYRR definitely needs a better system. NYCRuns puts the size you asked for upon registering on your bib and you can’t exchange it until after the race. NYRR needs to do something similar. Instead of just having a “swag” tag on your bib for your shirt, it needs to include the size to prevent people from messing up the ordering and depriving runners of a shirt they, essentially, paid for.

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Same great race, hard new course. Due to construction on the 72nd street transverse, the course was changed to two full loops of the course and the starting line moved … MORE

Same great race, hard new course. Due to construction on the 72nd street transverse, the course was changed to two full loops of the course and the starting line moved to the east side near the 102nd street transverse. This meant we had to run up Harlem Hill a total of three times.

This year’s hat is adorable and fleece lined and the medal was once again a stop watch, only this year the timing hand spins.

Same easy race day packet pickup and bag check, NYRR now offering a thicker plastic bag deemed reusable…however it can’t handle being packed too full or it starts to break. Not a problem for me, but some folks were having issues. Same decent post race spread with bagels, apples, and pretzels and an easy trip via subway on either side and coming in from Westchester on Metro North.

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I always enjoy running this race. It's 2.5 loops of Central Park so it's definitely hilly, but it's well organized and the medal is always nice. This year's medal had … MORE

I always enjoy running this race. It’s 2.5 loops of Central Park so it’s definitely hilly, but it’s well organized and the medal is always nice. This year’s medal had a unique design to look like a subway mosaic. They also gave out buffs at the finish line with the logo for their Brooklyn Marathon.

They also offer fruit, bagels, and hot cocoa at the finish.

This year’s weather was gorgeous. Chilly while waiting for the race to start, but perfect once we got going. Sunny and in the 30s.

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This was my first year running the half marathon. I ran the full marathon back in 2016. The race expo is relatively large, with speakers like Meb and Des Linden … MORE

This was my first year running the half marathon. I ran the full marathon back in 2016.

The race expo is relatively large, with speakers like Meb and Des Linden being presented by Bart Yasso. There was also a meet and greet with Meb and Des, but you had to pick one (though you could get on line to meet the other after). I chose to meet Meb and, despite being told it was either a photo or an autograph, Meb both signed my bib and took a photo with me. The race shirts are tech long sleeves and are pretty nice, the marathon ones being light blue and half marathon being Navy.

The weather for the half was gorgeous and the crowds definitely came out because of it. Course support was awesome. The race is not flat, but the hills on the course are more inclines (and some long inclines) than steep and short. I’m convinced that mile 11 was just about all uphill.

After the race, the food options included juice (apple and orange), water, chips, Nature’s Valley granola bars, and my personal favorite street pretzels. We also got pretty awesome medals (silver in color for the half, gold for the full, otherwise identical) that include the Liberty Bell (which rings!).

Definitely a more enjoyable race and course than Rock n Roll in September, especially because it was not hot and humid.

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I had said back in 2015 that I wouldn't run Yonkers again. Well, my plans for today got cancelled so I signed up at the last minute. Once again the … MORE

I had said back in 2015 that I wouldn’t run Yonkers again. Well, my plans for today got cancelled so I signed up at the last minute.

Once again the race starts and ends at the Yonkers Riverfront Library, meaning that runners have access to actual bathrooms and heat.

The course this year was just about the same as in 2015 (some minor changes) except now it’s run in reverse (which means some horrid hills are now downhills, but some nice declines are now inclines). It also meant that the more business side of Nepperhan Ave is the first half of the race. Roads are still mostly open, but now runners mostly have either a coned off lane, a shoulder to run in, or both. Some roads were just open, but traffic was light and there were quite a few police along the route directing traffic (otherwise it was volunteers). The course was also much better marked, with arrows along the course showing which way to go and miles painted on the road.

The medal is okay, not great, but nice all the same. The shirt is a tech tee. The post race food was disappointing as all that was out when I finished was bagels and water. They had wraps it looked like, but they weren’t put out yet (meaning they were basically only for those running the full marathon) and I wouldn’t have been able to have them anyway (they were all meat and I’m a vegetarian).

I’m surprised how decent my time was given that I forgot my music. I parked at the Tarrytown train station and took MNR to Yonkers. The library is across the street from the station.

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I've run this race for the past 4 years now. This year, the race got a new date and a new course (though it was mostly the same). Once again, … MORE

I’ve run this race for the past 4 years now. This year, the race got a new date and a new course (though it was mostly the same). Once again, not all roads were closed and, while most didn’t have much traffic to speak of, one was basically a main road and in parts had no police presence or shoulder for runners to be in or coned off lane like the rest of the course. Luckily, the sidewalk was paved like the road so it was fine to run on since I’m around the back of the pack where it’s less congested.

The race offers pre-race packet pickup on Saturday or race day pickup which is organized and easy. There is free parking at Veteran’s Park (where the race stars and ends) as well as various paid lots within a short walk of the park. Water stations along the course offer both water and UCan. I have to say there is a nice local support presence on the course and great volunteers. The course also goes out to Calf Pasture Beach which has great views for photo ops. In the last mile or so of the course, you run past an ice cream stand that hands out samples to runners.

After the finish, your bib gets you a beer (or hard seltzer this year), Colony Grill pizza, and a scoop of ice cream as well as an entry into the raffle. They also have various flavors of sparkling Poland Spring water and regular still Poland Spring water as well as apples (honeycrisp!) and bananas.

As always, the medal was very cool, the shirt is a nice tech shirt, and runners also got a reusable shopping bag that was race branded, a beer coozy from Sam Adams, a mini frisbee from North Face, and a race branded 12 in 1 neck gaiter. This year’s weather was almost perfect. It was cool (probably in the 50s for most of the race), overcast, breezy, but a little humid.

Oh, and race photos are free!

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This was a nice break from half marathons. Not having to run that last 5k was a welcome change! The race is super easy to get to via public transport … MORE

This was a nice break from half marathons. Not having to run that last 5k was a welcome change!

The race is super easy to get to via public transport on either Metro North to Yankee Stadium-153rd st or on the 4 or D train to 161st. I took Metro North to Harlem 125th St, then transferred to the 4 to 161. This puts you out basically right in the finish area where the bag check, packet pickup, and great views of Yankee Stadium can be found.

I picked up my packet race morning which was very easy and shirts were picked up at the end of the race so I didn’t have to run with it. The race start is 165th St which was not a long walk at all from packet pickup.

The weather this year was gorgeous. A little warm, but that was mostly the sun. The breeze was nice and cool and the course is mostly shaded. I swear the first 3.5 miles or so were almost entirely up an incline, miles 3.5-5 were flat, and 5 to almost the finish were a mix of decline and incline, but the fina. quarter mile or so to the finish is all downhill.

In usually NYRR style, finishers had a bit of a walk from the finish line back out to where bag check was and there were food trucks you could purchase food from, but the lines were insane. I just stuck with the goodies in the finisher bags that were handed out (the usual water, gatorade, apple, pretzels, and a delicious Honey Stinger bar).

The best part? Race photos are free!

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This is a race that I will definitely run again. Ridgefield is a very doable drive from the NYC area, about 25-30 minutes from me in lower Westchester. There are … MORE

This is a race that I will definitely run again.

Ridgefield is a very doable drive from the NYC area, about 25-30 minutes from me in lower Westchester. There are a few lots you can park in for free within 0.25 miles of the start. I parked right up the hill from the start/finish.

This race’s shirt is my new favorite being a super comfy hooded long sleeve (and it’s purple!). Race morning packet pickup was super easy. The race offers an early start for the slower among us (like myself) starting 30 mins before the rest of the field.

The roads aren’t all closed, but they’re either residential back roads or runners have a shoulder to run in and there are police directing traffic on side roads and crossings. The course itself is basically out to a local scenic neighborhood (2 loops of it) then back to the finish. It’s not flat, but as CT hills go it’s not too hilly either and passes the iconic town fountain on the way to the finish. The medal was pretty nice for a local race and the ribbon is purple to go along with the shirt.

The post race spread included water, bagels, and your choice of a slider or hot dog…unfortunately bagels being the only option for those of us who don’t eat meat which is always disappointing, but hardly out of the ordinary. They ran out of water when I finished, but quickly brought more in and, since the staging area is at the Boys and Girls Club, they opened the doors so runners could use the water fountains in the meantime.

Oh and race photos are free!

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I'll start at the beginning. Parking for the event was easy as it starts and ends at Dutchess Community College. Packet pickup was well organized. The race shirt was nice, … MORE

I’ll start at the beginning. Parking for the event was easy as it starts and ends at Dutchess Community College. Packet pickup was well organized. The race shirt was nice, fit well, and is a comfortable material, though a cotton blend.

The course itself is almost entirely flat. It is an out and back and out and back. So you go out along the rail trail (which is almost all shaded and tree lined) over the Walkway Over the Hudson (which is gorgeous), then back down the Rail Trail and back again to the finish (you go over the Walkway only once). The course makes for a PR since it’s flat, but since it’s flat and basically straight it’s rather boring.

The course support was good for a small local race, one water stop even having ice pops. This year, the weather was beautiful, but a little warm and humid for the second weekend in September. Since the race also includes a full marathon, the time limit is extremely generous making it walker friendly.

The medal was pretty nice, especially for such a small race and post race included electrolyte drink, water, fruit, bagels, and beer.

Not sure I’d run this one again since it’s a bit of a haul (about an hour away) up a highway with no street lamps. It’s worth doing at least once for the views over the Walkway, but I found the course a little too boring to make it a yearly trip.

Oh and race photos are free!

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The weather this year was overcast, but the temperatures were perfect once again. There were, unfortunately, no water showers set up on the course this year, but it wasn't super … MORE

The weather this year was overcast, but the temperatures were perfect once again. There were, unfortunately, no water showers set up on the course this year, but it wasn’t super hot so not needed.

Course isn’t too hilly, nice views, good back of the pack presence. Shirt has been a nice lightweight tech tee, this year’s was teal. The medal this year was a little disappointing, but it’s still decent quality.

Water on the course was plentiful, support from the community once again was nice, and day of packet pickup is so easy and bag check so easy that having your packet mailed to you is really not necessary.

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I'm surprised I haven't run this race before in all honesty. It's always on Memorial Day (as I'm sure you assumed) and it starts and ends in the heart of … MORE

I’m surprised I haven’t run this race before in all honesty. It’s always on Memorial Day (as I’m sure you assumed) and it starts and ends in the heart of downtown Greenwich.

The race is sponsored by Threads and Treads and runners can either pick up their bib and t-shirt in advance at the store or morning of on Greenwich Ave at the senior center.

Parking is easy as the start and finish are basically in the center of town so there are a few options all of which are easy.

The course itself is nice, winding through downtown Greenwich, through some residential areas, and through Bruce Park. The first have of the course is relatively flat, but the second boasts some hills that don’t seem to end, some of which are walk worthy. Most of the course is shaded and there were about 2 water stops on the course, one of which you pass twice.

There is no medal (as there usually isn’t for a 5 mile race) and the shirt is a cotton shirt, but it wasn’t white! The finish area had Propel electrolyte water, regular water, bagels, and a nice spread of fruit including cut watermelon. There are no race photos.

The race is relatively small, but even coming in around an hour I was never running alone and there were still about 20 people behind me. Race times from past year seem to cap out around an hour and 15 minutes.

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This was a fun race, even if it was raining the whole time and beyond hilly. I mean...15 hills in total and they all sucked. Coming from about an hour … MORE

This was a fun race, even if it was raining the whole time and beyond hilly. I mean…15 hills in total and they all sucked.

Coming from about an hour away, I picked up my race swag and bib before the race on race morning. The system was streamlined and runners got a nice tech tee and a smattering of other goodies including a cowbell and license plate frame with the race logo.

The race starts and ends at New Pond Farm, so there literally are cows! The course was open, but there is very little traffic in Redding on a Sunday morning so that was no issue. The course itself is primarily on roads, but there are a couple of stretches of trails. That being said, they are very groomed and trail shoes are not remotely required. There are some nice views of back country Redding and one backyard even contained a curious emu wondering what all the humans were doing.

The race offers an early start for the half marathon as well as 7 mile and 5k options (you can also do the Mighty Cow Challenge and do both the half and 5k if you’re crazy and fast enough).

The race medal was quite large and nice, being provided by GoneForARun.com, and the post race spread of food included soda, fruit, donuts, etc.

But did I mention the hills? I mean they were killer. Definitely throw in some hill repeats and weight training if you want to get competitive with this one because by the time I was on hill 13/15 the words “you have got to be effing kidding me” (effing being replaced by expletives) definitely came out of my mouth.

Oh and race photos are free!

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The Shape 1/2 is an all women's event, which in and of itself offers a unique vibe that most women would enjoy. I picked up my packet on race morning … MORE

The Shape 1/2 is an all women’s event, which in and of itself offers a unique vibe that most women would enjoy. I picked up my packet on race morning this year (as opposed to making a separate trek to NYC to the NYRR run hub to pick it up) which was super easy and you get your shirt after the race so no need to check a bag if you don’t want to.

The weather was gorgeous, but it got warm and was humid so my performance suffered. I was surprised at how many people were rather over-dressed for the race, including long tights, jackets of all kinds, and even insulated vests (to put it into perspective, it was in the 60’s at race start).

The course is 2.5 laps of Central Park, meaning Cat Hill only twice instead of the three times of the past. The course was tweaked to include the southern end of the loop making a third time up Cat Hill unnecessary (thankfully). Twice up Harlem Hill is bad enough!

The course had plenty of water stops, but offers no nutrition so plan accordingly. The nice weather brought out more spectators than in the past, so the course had more support which was nice.

The big downside, however, is that it is *very* crowded and there is no separation for folks on their first lap of the park or second (or third). Also, towards the end of the race when the crowd thinned out a bit, random people were on course going in all directions which was its own obstacle since the nice weather brought out a lot of people to the park. So the course could definitely use more volunteers on it keeping regular folks off the course and separating the second loop runners from the first. At one point, they told all of us on lap one to keep left (which most did) and the faster runners coming through on loop 2 were being obnoxious and cutting through the crowd while yelling for us to get out of their way. Get in your own lane!

The shirt this year was similar to last year. A light weight tech tee, but this year’s was a v-neck and was lime green. The medal was slightly different and a little nicer than in the past, but still a rendition on the same theme. The pre- and post- race festival was nice, with some better sponsors giving away goodies (like Aveeno) and the post-race band was really good. The food at the finish was a nice spread with options ranging from apples to pretzels and bagels. My only complaint is that they didn’t give out bottles of water, but had cups of water available.

Race photos for this one are free! There were no photographers to take finisher photos, however, which was a bummer. That being said, the lines to take a finisher photo were so long that I was not inclined to wait on one.

I keep hoping the medal will one year be completely different and the course congestion issues will be addressed, but so far I’ve been disappointed. This is not a race to try and PR because of the course congestion, in my opinion, even when it’s not hot, humid, and sunny.

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The weather this year was perfect, temperatures around 50 and sunny. The race expo was a little disappointing in size, but probably because I'm used to bigger expos. It was … MORE

The weather this year was perfect, temperatures around 50 and sunny. The race expo was a little disappointing in size, but probably because I’m used to bigger expos. It was well run, however. There is no race day packet pickup, but a friend can pick up for you if they have the form filled out allowing them to pick up for you.

I have never seen so much green in a race or so many opportunities for free alcohol. You could get drunk on the race course if you were so inclined. The most scenic part of the race is the first half, taking you through Fort Story and along roads lined with trees. The second half is a little less exciting, though not boring by any means. The course itself is mostly flat, the only real “hills” being the bridge you cross on the marathon course with a slight incline (that you don’t even feel) in the first 5 miles or so. The course contained such amusing things as Leprechaun Lane (with fun facts about Leprechauns and St. Patrick’s Day) and corny Irish jokes in Ft. Pendleton on the marathon course.

My only goal, especially running the 8k the day before as part of the Whale Challenge, was to finish under 6 hours. This course is perfect for PR’s as long as the weather cooperates.

The post race swag included 2 awesome medals (the one for 26.2 and the awesome Whale Challenge medal), a running hat, and this year’s finisher item was a nice race branded blanket. There were also plenty of edible items handed out, not including the post race tent. My only complaint was having to walk on sand after running 26.2 miles to get to and from the post race festivities, which was not enjoyable.

I don’t know that I’d come back for the marathon, half marathons being my preferred distance, but I’d definitely go back for the Dolphin Challenge (8k and 13.1).

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The weather this year was perfect, temperatures in the upper 40's to low 50's and sunny. The race expo was a little disappointing in size, but probably because I'm used … MORE

The weather this year was perfect, temperatures in the upper 40’s to low 50’s and sunny. The race expo was a little disappointing in size, but probably because I’m used to bigger expos. It was well run, however.

The course itself was a little boring just because it’s pancake flat. The course takes you out on the street and back on the boardwalk (with a small jaunt back on the street). There was plenty of crowd support and the run along the beach is gorgeous. The race (as all weekend races do) finishes right after the King Neptune statue.

The medal this year was nice (and a bottle opener!) and the finisher “gift” was a cute beer koozie. We also got plenty of edible goodies as well as a race branded draw-string backpack.

The post race party was hopping, with plenty of beer and Irish stew flowing (with a veggie option) in the tent on the beach. I ran the Whale Challenge this year (8k and 26.2) so this race was more of a shake-out run than a race for me.

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I ran the race as the first 13.1 miles of a 20 mile long run for marathon training, so my pace is slower than average for that reason. The shirt … MORE

I ran the race as the first 13.1 miles of a 20 mile long run for marathon training, so my pace is slower than average for that reason.

The shirt for this race is usually a long sleeve tech shirt and the medal is nice and interlocks with NYC Runs medals for the tri-boro challenge races (the other 2 being Brooklyn and Queens). They also gave out knit beanies at the finish line (which I sadly did not take because I had no idea what to do with it for the next 7 miles).

I picked up my packed on race morning, but they also offer pre race pick up the Friday before race day.

The course is the same as 99% of runs in Central Park, meaning 3 times up Cat Hill and twice up Harlem Hill.

One disappointing thing I saw on my extra mileage was that they were already breaking down the race with 40 minutes of race left to go and I saw some volunteers leaving early. Other than that it’s another average NYC Runs race, put on pretty well, not too congested, but I’m getting sick of Central Park. My one complaint is that they did not have enough porta potties. I got there early enough that it wasn’t an issue, but the porta potties by the starting line had huge lines as the race was starting.

Weather this year was unseasonably warm, but steady rain for about the first 45 minutes of the race before it tapered off and then stopped so it was humid and foggy, but not raining for the bulk of the race.

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This was the first year I ran the race. For this race, NYRR has the option to pick up your packet ahead of time or on race morning. They always … MORE

This was the first year I ran the race. For this race, NYRR has the option to pick up your packet ahead of time or on race morning. They always give out a knit hat instead of a t-shirt and this year’s was very cute.

The course is in Central Park and is basically the same course as every half marathon in Central Park, so in that regard it’s nothing special; if you’ve run one half marathon in Central Park you’ve run the course for every half marathon in Central Park.

The weather for this one is always iffy. It’s been run in snow, cancelled, etc. but always sells out so you have to register and cross your fingers. This year we actually lucked out in that the storm that brought northern regions snow and ice brought the city and adjacent suburbs a little snow and then just rain. It was actually in the 40’s for most of the race with a light rain that was actually on and off. By the time the race ended, however, the temperature had dropped to the mid 30’s (which was still not bad).

The medal is not huge, but it’s good quality, and this year’s was designed to look like a stop watch so it was very cute.

I can see why this race is popular. Maybe one year the weather will be sunny and unseasonably warm.

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This was my first time running this race since the name change and the course change. It is now about 2.5 loops of Central Park. This means that you run … MORE

This was my first time running this race since the name change and the course change. It is now about 2.5 loops of Central Park. This means that you run up Harlem Hill twice and Cat Hill 3 times. The course used to start and end basically in the same place, but now the finish area is in the same place, but the start is about a quarter mile down on 96th street, which is a super easy walk.

When registering, there was an option to have your bib mailed to you (you’d still have to get the shirt at the race), there was pre race packet pickup, or you could pick up your packet before the race (which I did and was super easy and not crowded). Bag check is super easy (and again uncrowded). It’s well organized and you can basically check any type of bag you want.

The course itself was hilly, but Central Park is always pretty and you got a thorough tour of it with the exception of the southern tip of the park. There were about 3 water stops, which when you figure the course is 2.5 loops, works out to a water stop roughly every 1.5 miles or so that had both water and gatorade.

The shirts this year were white (boo), but long sleeve tech shirts with this year’s logo which was an apple on its side with a bite out of the top having the skyline in it with a worm coming out of the apple. The medal is good quality and a good size with a printed ribbon. Post race, ever runner also got a heat sheet and the food/drink options were water/gatorade, apples, bananas, bagels (assorted types with cream cheese/butter if you wanted), and hot chocolate!

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The race offered advanced packet pickup for about 2 weeks before the race at a pop up shop in downtown Pelham, but you could also pick up on race morning. … MORE

The race offered advanced packet pickup for about 2 weeks before the race at a pop up shop in downtown Pelham, but you could also pick up on race morning. The race also has a 10k that gets the same medal as the half, which is a very nice medal for a 10k.

Parking is super easy at the train station as well as taking mass transit on the New Haven Line of Metro North (start/finish being about .2 miles from the station). Pre-race, there is a building runners can huddle in to keep warm as well as a bunch of porta potties and a pre race yoga warm up.

The race itself was well run and turns were well marked. Most streets were open to traffic, but runners either had a roped off lane or the road was a side street with little to no traffic and police were at all intersections. The race winds its way through Pelham and Pelham Manor, even out to the beautiful view from Shore Park where you exit the road for a dirt path around the park. The rest of the course is primarily through residential areas, some of which are very pretty. Pelham is hilly, however. The race advertises that there are 7 hills, but let me tell you there are more than 7 hills (apparently only 7 qualify for hill status based on grade and length, the others are considered “inclines”). There were a bunch of water stops, the last few of which had Gatorade, and a table in the latter half of the race with orange slices, but no gels were given out on course.

Runners were given long sleeve tech shirts in both men’s and women’s sizes and the medal is locally made with a classic design.

The post race spread included water, orange slices, bananas, bagels, and hot food provided by DeCicco’s (a local grocer) included manicotti, penne marinara, mini grilled veggie wraps, grilled chicken, rice, and beans. Since the grocer is across the street from the race start/finish, food was plentiful.

In years past, race photos weren’t free, but they were much cheaper than at most races and the money raised from selling them goes to the Pelham Community through the Civic Association, so you feel better about shelling out the money for them. This year, they were free.

I’ll definitely come back next year! The race has early registration for $30 (which is a steal) and usually the half marathon sells out.

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This was my first time running this race. It's a trek from where I am (about an hour drive), but it's easy to get to from various highways. They offered … MORE

This was my first time running this race. It’s a trek from where I am (about an hour drive), but it’s easy to get to from various highways. They offered advance packet pickup on Saturday, but also on race morning. All runners were given a windbreaker with the race seal on the front (in both men’s and women’s sizes) and the bibs had a very cute Halloween print on them with runners’ names.

The weather this year was brisk (mid 40’s) and super windy. The sun came out eventually, but it was cloudy for about half the race.

The race course is hilly. Not horribly steep hills, but plenty of long inclines. It’s also rather pretty, with the middle miles going through a wooded area with a paved bike path that also provided glorious wind protection this year. The course was open to traffic at times, but runners had a coned off lane or an ample shoulder to run in on main roads.

Pre-race, you can grab coffee, bagels, bananas, granola bars, and/or water and porta potties had no lines. The race also starts at 12:30, so no need to wake up ungodly early to get there. The closest race parking you do have to pay for, however, unless you know the area and can find parking on a side street.

All water stops on the course featured water, most had Gatorade, and all had a selection of Halloween candy from chocolate to gummies.

Finisher medals were very high quality, but the race had run out of chocolate medals (which I think were just chocolate coins with the race logo stamped on the foil) and a lot of the post race food by the time I finished…which is sad because the course was open for a total of 3 hours and 30 minutes. They did, however, also have a pizza food truck in the finish area where you could purchase additional food and the start/finish is a short walk to downtown for other food options.

Be advised, however, that you will hit a lot of traffic on 287 going back to NY starting about 14 miles before the Tappan Zee Bridge (aka the Mario Cuomo Bridge) until you cross the span since it will be late afternoon when going home.

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This year's weather was perfect. Swag keeps improving. Always has a nice medal, tech tee, and a gaiter with the race logo, but this year also included a race branded … MORE

This year’s weather was perfect. Swag keeps improving. Always has a nice medal, tech tee, and a gaiter with the race logo, but this year also included a race branded mason jar. The race offers packet pickup the day before, but also on race morning.

They have plenty of free parking at the race start/finish, but also at various lots in town if you are not planning to stay for the post race festival (which includes, beer, pizza, ice cream, fruit, and both regular and flavored sparkling water).

The course is pretty flat with about 4 hills of note that are well spread out along the course. Parts of the course are open to traffic, some have a lane coned off for runners, others runners are practically forced onto sidewalks. There are a good number of police officers on course directing traffic.

The course itself goes through downtown SoNo twice, up onto a hill that overlooks the pier, river, and aquarium, out to a beach, and back along the water where you are met with samples of soft serve ice cream around mile 12 if you so desire. All water stops have both water and UCan. Oh and race photos are free!

There’s a good vibe at this one and the town comes out to cheer folks on, especially around the start/finish. The race also features a 5k that usually sells out.

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The weather this year was perfect. Field seemed smaller in years past, probably because they don't advertise enough in my opinion. Packet pick up was oddly on a Wednesday this … MORE

The weather this year was perfect. Field seemed smaller in years past, probably because they don’t advertise enough in my opinion.

Packet pick up was oddly on a Wednesday this year, but race morning pick up is always available. This year’s shirts were purple, which was a nice break from the drab colors of the past 3 years (green, black, and grey). The medals now change every year, even if the shirt design really doesn’t, and this year’s medal included a spinner in the middle.

Course is the same out and back along the Bronx River Parkway, which isn’t too challenging, though not flat (the worst hills are in the second half), with water stops about every 2 miles or so. There is also a 10k option.

Post race spread included bananas, 3 types of apples, water, chips, and everyone got an egg sandwich if they so desired.

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Let me preface this by saying that I don't run on trails normally. The race was very hard for me. The first 10 or so miles have a lot of … MORE

Let me preface this by saying that I don’t run on trails normally.

The race was very hard for me. The first 10 or so miles have a lot of hills and the first 6 miles or so involve a good amount of varied terrain (lots of rocks, roots, etc. and a couple of water stepping stone crossings that are not much of a deal). There was a lot of walking (hiking?) mixed in with running, but I finished. The race starts in 5 waves that depart every 3 minutes so there was no course congestion (which was good because the trails are pretty narrow.

The race production is super on point from the hilarious race emails and information on the website to having traffic stopped at intersections to first class swag. The timing mat was also left up well past the 3 hour cutoff (to at least 4 hours) which was nice to see. Post race, the food options were plentiful and there were people on hand to stretch/massage runners as well as foam rollers you could use. Pre-race packet pickup was available on Friday evening/night and Saturday, but was also available on race morning. Parking on race morning was super easy since you just park at New Rochelle High School. Porta potties were plentiful and the start had a 4 piece reenactor “band” playing colonial type music.

The attitude on course was great, with runners chatting with each other and helping each other out when needed. It’s a fun race, nice scenery running through the woods, almost all shaded, and would have been a lot better had the weather reflected that it’s early fall and not August (it was in the 70s and at least 85% humidity which helped nothing). There were a few water stops on the course, but not as many as in a road race so bringing your own fluids and nutrition is a must. I would definitely recommend the race, but not as a first half unless your training is on trails.

DIFFICULTY
5
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
5
SWAG
4

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This was my 4th year running RnR Philly. This year, a few changes were made such as reverting to a course much like the original which takes out the huge … MORE

This was my 4th year running RnR Philly. This year, a few changes were made such as reverting to a course much like the original which takes out the huge hill up past the Eastern State Penitentiary, the mile markers play music, and more bands on the course.

However, the expo was smaller than in years past with fewer vendors and the vendors they had did not have very good giveaways.

I was very excited to see the course was changed back. Not just because the huge hill is now gone, but you get to see more of the landmarks in Philly.

Weather was nice…until the sun came out. The last 1.5 miles or so basically have no shade so it got hot fast.

There was no security that I could see aside from a sniffer dog and the corrals were in no way secured or policed. At one point, a vendor with a shopping cart full of pretzels and water was *in* the corrals.

I ran this as part of a Remix weekend (ran the 10k the day before) for an extra medal, so I’m happy with that time all things considered.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
4

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I ran the 5k last year, but the medal was meh this year so I did the 10k. The course is an out and back along the Delaware River, so … MORE

I ran the 5k last year, but the medal was meh this year so I did the 10k. The course is an out and back along the Delaware River, so the only thing to see is the river and the trees along the course. The course is basically flat with the occasional upward incline, but no real hills.

There were about 2 water stops on the course and a few music stops, but the only spectators were really at the finish line.

I’m not sure I’d make a point to run the 5k or 10k at RnR weekend, but it’s a nice race for the Remix Challenge.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
3
SWAG
4

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I had never run a 1 mile race before and have to say that it was a ton of fun. As NYRR races always are, the race production was first … MORE

I had never run a 1 mile race before and have to say that it was a ton of fun. As NYRR races always are, the race production was first rate, post race food was assorted bagels (including cinnamon raisin!) and apples (Jonagold, not boring McIntosh!).

It was super fun to run down 5th Ave. and the course itself was easy. The first .25 is a slight downhill, then a slight uphill, then it’s flat. I didn’t even feel the uphill, though commentators for the elite wave were saying that your legs feel it. Go figure. Every .25 was marked with a large sign that had the time on it and the race is designed where you go by age group and gender so the course isn’t congested and the time on the markers is yours.

My only complaint is that, this year, there were no shirts. Instead, they gave this weird trucker-baseball cap hybrid that I gave to a friend because I wouldn’t use it.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
4
SWAG
2

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New date this year! First weekend in June instead of the third weekend in June. The weather was perfect. Partly cloudy and low-mid 60's with low humidity. This race gives … MORE

New date this year! First weekend in June instead of the third weekend in June. The weather was perfect. Partly cloudy and low-mid 60’s with low humidity.

This race gives you the option of having your packet mailed to you or doing pickup. I always have it mailed for convenience, but pick up day of is easy and their bag check is smooth so you can always check the shirt.

Parking is easy. You can either get there early early and park at the beach (the start/finish area) or you can park or take the train to the Fairfield stop and they offer school bus shuttles to the start area, which is only about a 7-10 minute ride.

The “festival” area is on the beach, right off the beach being where there are plenty of porta potties and water. The post race festival offers tons of food, including watermelon and pizza.

The women and men have separate start lines, people who want to run with a pacer (only offered up to 2:15) starting with the women. This cuts down on course congestion. The course is open to traffic, but there is not much of it on a Sunday morning and each intersection has a police officer directing traffic. Come to think of it, I saw maybe a total of 5 cars the entire race.

The course itself only really has about 3-4 bad hills and some you get to both run up and down as the course loops back on itself. The course offers entertainment along the way, the fire department sets up showers with their hoses, and the local folks also hook up their hoses or sprinklers to shower runners and/or set up their own water stops so the support on the course is pretty nice and I was back of the pack. The course also has some nice views of the harbor and Long Island Sound as well as some nice residential areas.

The water stops are plentiful and offer both water and UCan hydration (with the exception of the one around mile 8 which offerss UCan fuel and Gu).

Since the race festival is on a public beach, there are bathrooms with showers and changing facilities at the beach, though they’re smaller so don’t rely on them. The race now being the first Sunday in June, you probably won’t have to compete with beach goers.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
3

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This race has an amazing expo with amazing swag. The shirts were adorable this year, the poster is super cute, and the premium gift was an awesome blanket. Not to … MORE

This race has an amazing expo with amazing swag. The shirts were adorable this year, the poster is super cute, and the premium gift was an awesome blanket. Not to mention the spiffy merch they had for sale and great freebies to be had such as all sorts of samples on the P&G line (which is always long, but moves quickly). I actually went to the expo twice it was so good.

I stayed across the river in Covington, KY so it was an easy walk across the bridge to the start/finish area (the course was slightly different this year and, as such, the start/finish was in the same general area which made it much easier to get to and from if you stayed in KY). The course support is unrivaled, even out on the marathon course which has much fewer runners than the first 8.5 miles or so which is shared with the half marathon. Mariemont in particular went all out as if they were having a Flying Pig block party complete with tons of pink and inflatable pigs arching over the street. The race itself has great aid stations with amusing themes like Girl Snout cookies (yes Girl Scout cookies!) and bacon (only on the marathon course).

This year’s weather wasn’t ideal. It was nice at the start, but the sun came out about 2 hours in and it warmed up quickly and wasn’t horridly humid, but more humid than a runner would like. The marathon course also has very little shade on it. The race, however, met this increased weather difficulty well offering ice at all med tents, water stops had sprays, and had a station with wet towels. There were also people giving out cold, wet, shirts around mile 24 (that were red, unfortunately, and bled where they were put including on your skin, but at that point I didn’t care, they were wonderful). There were plenty of medical people and race folks on bikes checking on how runners were doing. There was also sunscreen at various points on the course. The aid isn’t limited to the race, but plenty of spectators set up stations as well (even with mimosas!).

The course isn’t flat, but it was less challenging than the original course, the worst hill being on the shared course between about mile 6-8 and then the stretch on the freeway on the marathon course which was a long and steady incline in the blazing sun.

Because of the heat and humidity (and the fact that NY was still in the 50’s the weekend before the race so I wasn’t acclimated to the temperatures), I had a pretty crummy race, but I finished and got my jacket! I can’t say I’ll return to run the full marathon again, but I definitely have plans to return for the 25th anniversary for the 3-way!

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
4
SWAG
5
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Packet pickup is available at the NYRR Run Center the week prior or on race morning. One's packet includes a tech tee and bag with a few goodies, this year … MORE

Packet pickup is available at the NYRR Run Center the week prior or on race morning. One’s packet includes a tech tee and bag with a few goodies, this year being lipgloss, a protein bar, and samples/coupons. Race registration also includes a year subscription to Shape magazine.

On race morning, Race Day Central includes a few sponsor tents with various samples and giveaways. There are plenty of porta potties (no lines that I noticed) both at RDC and the corrals. Corrals were not at all policed, but runners seemed to be lining up where they should be. Pacers are available up to about 2:45.

The course is about 2.25 laps of Central Park, meaning plenty of hills…but also some confusion with people on their first and second laps and then turning into the finish. The course could have been better marked with where racers should be, people not running the race should be, and people coming in on their second lap should be. We were often told to move to a side we were later told to move to the other side of and people who didn’t seem to be a part of the race were often found on the race course.

Race photos were free, but photographers were often not easily spotted. The finish line food was fruit, pretzels, and bagels and, when I finished, there was plenty to go around.

The medal is the same…every year. It’s decent enough, but given the race entry fee I’d expect a better medal, or at least a different one.

Weather this year was chilly and grey, but thankfully not raining, and it was rather windy.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
3
SWAG
3
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This race has one of the higher pricetags for a half marathon in the area, but the swag is pretty darn worth it and the race photos are free. The … MORE

This race has one of the higher pricetags for a half marathon in the area, but the swag is pretty darn worth it and the race photos are free. The race offered an expo the day before with a few vendors. I wasn’t able to go, but a friend went and got my bib for me. If you couldn’t make the expo, however, bib pickup was available race morning.

For registering, you got a half zip (came in men’s and women’s sizing) and a drawstring backpack printed with the race name, year, and a sponsor’s logo.

The race starts rather early (7 am) so for out of towner’s an early wake-up call is required, but Monclair is right off the Garden State so the drive was very easy coming from Westchester County, NY. Parking in Montclair can be a challenge, but if you get there early enough the train station lot is a short walk to the start/finish/packet pickup.

The course has a reputation as being hilly, but it really wasn’t that bad given the races I’d run earlier in the month and the second half of the race is net downhill, the worst of the hills being in the first 6 miles.

The race offers pacers up to a 2:45 finish, which is nice being in the back of the pack and has a time limit of 3:30 as well as a relay option.

For a smaller race, the course support was pretty good and most roads were either closed or runners had their own lane. With the race starting at 7am on a Sunday, though, there was very little traffic to begin with.

The medals were quite large and quite nice. The relay having a different color ribbon from those who ran the full distance. Every finisher also received a box with a golden donut inside.

I have only one complaint and that is that there was not enough food for those on the slower side. I still had 45 minutes worth of people behind me, but they were already low on water and had run out of bananas. The only fruit left when I finished was 2/3 of a box of apples. They also had coffee, donut holes, and croissants, but being vegan these I could not have, so you can imagine my disappointment when I saw there were zero bananas.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
5
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This year's course, like last years, unfortunately did not include the trails in Rockefeller State Park due to the recent snow fall. What this means is, in my opinion, the … MORE

This year’s course, like last years, unfortunately did not include the trails in Rockefeller State Park due to the recent snow fall. What this means is, in my opinion, the course is more challenging and less scenic. You still get a view of the park and views of the Hudson River and new bridge, but it’s just not the same.

One of the worst hills is in the very beginning, but it’s hard to say what hill is the worst as there are so many to choose from. If you pace right, however, you get to pick off those people who’ve fallen victim to those cruel inclines…and what goes up must come down. Some are so bad that you’re better off walking to conserve energy.

The weather was beautiful. Started out chilly, but warmed up quickly since the sun had no clouds to compete with.

The race is quite small (under 700 people) and course support is scant, but some folks come out. Race photos are free (woo) and you get a 25 second video clip of your finish.

Packet pickup is the 2 days before the race at a local running store who offers 20% off at the store with your bib for the weekend. Every year you get a long sleeved tech shirt and this year’s medal was finally different (in the past the medal featured the Sleepy Hollow lighthouse and the only thing that changed was the year on the medal and color of the ribbon. This year, it featured the new bridge as well as the lighthouse).

Post race spread included boxed water, apples, halos oranges, granola bars, and beer (if you had your ID) and there was plenty to go around. I finished with maybe 20 people behind me and they weren’t running low on anything.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
3
SWAG
4
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The NYC 1/2 had a new course this year. Runners now start in Brooklyn and end in Central Park (but no Harlem Hill!). The weather this year was beautiful, if … MORE

The NYC 1/2 had a new course this year. Runners now start in Brooklyn and end in Central Park (but no Harlem Hill!). The weather this year was beautiful, if not a little chilly. I took a bus down that a local running store organized so it was amazing to not have to worry about transit, have a bathroom on the bus, and we got to sit on the bus until right before the corrals would close (warmth!). If you can do a bus, I highly recommend it.

I took quite a few pictures along the course this year of the Freedom Tower, Manhattan Bridge, Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, East River, the United Nations, and Times Square (I didn’t take a picture of Grand Central, though we did run past it). The course is definitely more challenging in years past with the first 2 miles being mainly downhill and final 3 being rolling hills, but it’s far from the most challenging course I’ve run and I missed a PR by all of 6 seconds (my PR being set on the old course).

This year had 2 waves, so starting didn’t take as long as in years past, though I still dislike the 5 or so minute lag between corrals.

Course support was arguably better than in years past. People definitely came out in Brooklyn, China Town, and 42nd St./Times Square, as well as in Central Park.

This year, bib pickup was a mini expo. In my opinion, even though the “expo” really wasn’t one, it was still better than nothing. This year’s shirts were long sleeve tech shirts (that ran very very small) and the medal was finally a new design (that resembles either Epcot or the Times Square NYE ball).

After the finish, folks had to walk at least 10 blocks out of the park a la the NYC Marathon (the finish line was actually in about the same place, just approached from the other direction *downhill* yay!). Runners were given a recovery bag with a Powerbar, apple, pretzels, Gatorade, and water.

All in all, I still love this race and honestly felt that today’s experience is what the marathon should have been when I ran it back in 2016. It’s an amazing way to see the city!

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
4
SWAG
4
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The race experience starts with a race director who is quite funny and dedicated. Her emails will explain how she's given up wine for lent and will also confirm with … MORE

The race experience starts with a race director who is quite funny and dedicated. Her emails will explain how she’s given up wine for lent and will also confirm with you the name on your bib and, if you purchase a sign for the course, what the sign says. Proceeds from the race go to help cancer patients local to the race with expenses and runners include survivors, those who’ve been touched by cancer in their family or friends, and just those who want to help the cause. You can purchase a sign for the Motivational Mile (which appears twice in the course so you can take your sign with you on your way to the finish) dedicated to a friend/love one who is battling, has battled, or was lost to cancer.

The race starts right outside of The Sullivan Ramada hotel in Rock Hill, which makes for a very convenient morning (plus, you get a late checkout of 1:30pm and free breakfast). The hotel also has an Italian restaurant and pizzeria next door as well as a restaurant across the street, which is super convenient. The race is very friendly to walkers and offers a walker start, early runner start for those running 2:30+, and then the regular runner start. The event is chip timed and you get a medal and jacket with your entry fee. This year was a purple windbreaker with the race’s logo embroidered on the left front.

The course itself is beautiful, but challenging, and Myriam (the race director) has amusing signs along the way (like “Mild rolling hills my a–“). You’ll want to stop and take pictures, because the course winds around a lake or two. This year, roads were either closed or had very little traffic.

The post race spread always includes baked ziti, which is free to runners and their friends/family alike, as well as food from Outback Steakhouse which you get with a band you pick up with your packet. This year, the offer was bread, salad, and chicken or steak.

Weather this year was a little chilly (mid 20’s with light wind), but it was very sunny so it was very pleasant running weather. Oh, and race photos are free, what could be better?

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
4

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In its 3rd year, the SoNo 1/2 made some improvements. The race offers day before packet pickup or day of pickup. Registration once again includes a short sleeved tech tee … MORE

In its 3rd year, the SoNo 1/2 made some improvements. The race offers day before packet pickup or day of pickup.

Registration once again includes a short sleeved tech tee (that runs true to size even for women’s sizing), a nice, large, medal, and a swag bag (this year’s included a race branded buff and sunglasses as well as all natural lip balm).

Most of the course’s hills are in the first 7 miles, the rest of the course being flat. The course itself winds through the city of South Norwalk, from being on the main street, to residential areas, past a golf course, and along the beach (can you say photo op?). As last year, the roads were not all closed. Those roads that were open had a coned off lane for runners (with a few exceptions, some being quiet residential areas, some being a more main thoroughfare). One thing I didn’t like was that we were at times on roads open to traffic with no lane to ourselves and uncaring motorists who came too close to runners. There were also some intersections with no one directing traffic and, at one point, an older man in his car ended up driving in the coned off runners’ lane and just stopped dead in front of me despite me motioning to him that he needed to be in the other lane because a race was going on. The course, thus, could use more people directing traffic (volunteer or police) and, in my opinion, runners should have their own coned off lane on any roads open to traffic.

The weather this year was disgustingly humid (though thankfully the sun stayed behind the clouds until after I finished), but the temperature was still in the low to mid 60s.

The finish area offers runners Traveler’s Beer (pumpkin or grapefruit), ice cream (which was down to 2 flavors by the time I finished), and Colony Grill pizza from their food truck (which had left about 45 minutes before I finished). Immediately after finishing, you can take water or iced tea. They also had sponsors on hand offering massages, stretching, and cryotherapy. The raffles were nice, but you had to stick around to win. Parking was free and easy, but if you didn’t plan to hang around you would’ve had to park in one of the nearby paid lots.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
4
SWAG
4

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This race has become part of my annual calendar because it's well organized and close by. The race offers packet pickup at the local New Balance Store, this year on … MORE

This race has become part of my annual calendar because it’s well organized and close by.

The race offers packet pickup at the local New Balance Store, this year on the Thursday before the race, as well as on race day at the race. I had no issue picking up a packet for a friend. The registration fee included a long sleeve tech shirt (that’s usually in more masculine colors and unisex sizes) and a pretty nice medal (this year’s was larger than in years past).

The course is an out and back on the Bronx River Parkway so it’s pretty and you run by streams, woods, and the Bronx River Trail itself seeing other runners and cyclists go by. The race offers an early start 30 minutes before the general half start for “walkers,” but anyone can start early (you just won’t qualify for awards as if you would win anything needing to start early) and otherwise has a time limit of about 3:30.

At the finish, they offered cookies, apples, pretzels, water, and had a food truck offering runners a free waffle or breakfast sandwich. I was, however, disappointed that there was no chocolate milk this year as the milk last year was delicious.

The only thing I really don’t like is that you have to pay for parking. There’s a large lot at the race start/finish, but it’s a $10 fee to park there. Otherwise, you could park at the train station and walk (not a very short walk), but you’d have to pay for parking there too for about $1/hour.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
3
SWAG
4

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Once again, RnR Philly was a well executed race. The expo was about the same as usual, not huge, but of a good size. The shirt this year was generic … MORE

Once again, RnR Philly was a well executed race. The expo was about the same as usual, not huge, but of a good size. The shirt this year was generic and the medal was smaller than in years past and smaller than the photo the race released made it seem. In fact, the 5k medal (okay it was a different shape) seemed larger than the medal for the half.

The course is the same not going through the historic district with the Liberty Bell, so I wish there was more to see as I don’t find the Eastern State Penitentiary to be a “sight to see” (though it was decorated for Halloween). The course itself is pretty fast with one monster hill going past the Penitentiary (but then you get to go down it).

I did the remix challenge again this year and this year’s remix medal was an improvement. It was bigger and more interesting than last year’s.

This year was more hot and humid than in years past, but med tents were handing out bags of ice and there were cold towels at the finish. There was also plenty of water on the course and water and food at the finish. However, the race was handing out Glukos around mile 8.5 and I never saw it being towards the back of the pack. They had never run out in years past, but apparently did this year. Either that, or the volunteers stopped handing it out.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
3
SWAG
4

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This year was warm and humid. For me, this was a very good time as I'm on the slower side and I managed to finish in the top 50% of … MORE

This year was warm and humid. For me, this was a very good time as I’m on the slower side and I managed to finish in the top 50% of the field. The course itself isn’t very exciting. It’s just an out and back along the Schuykill river (so it’s flat), but you get a nice view of the Philadelphia skyline on the way back to the finish.

The shirt this year was generic, but the medal was nice.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
3
SWAG
4

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Let me preface this by saying that I've been nursing some tendonitis that has spread to my plantar fascia. So I was undertrained and my foot hated me as of … MORE

Let me preface this by saying that I’ve been nursing some tendonitis that has spread to my plantar fascia. So I was undertrained and my foot hated me as of mile 5. There was much walking.

This race gives you the option of having your packet mailed to you or doing pickup. I always have it mailed for convenience, but pick up day of is easy and their bag check is smooth so you can always check the shirt.

Parking is easy. You can either get there early early and park at the beach (the start/finish area) or you can park or take the train to the Fairfield stop and they offer school bus shuttles to the start area, which is only about a 7-10 minute ride.

The “festival” area is on the beach, right off the beach being where there are plenty of porta potties and water.

This year, the race started an hour earlier, at 8 am, which was awesome. The women and men have separate start lines, people who want to run with a pacer (only offered up to 2:15) starting with the women. This cuts down on course congestion. The course is open to traffic, but there is not much of it on a Sunday morning and each intersection has a police officer directing traffic.

The course itself only really has about 3-4 bad hills and some you get to both run up and down as the course loops back on itself. The course offers entertainment along the way, the fire department sets up showers with their hoses, and the local folks also hook up their hoses or sprinklers to shower runners and/or set up their own water stops so the support on the course is pretty nice and I was back of the pack. The course also has some nice views of the harbor and Long Island Sound as well as some nice residential areas.

The water stops are plentiful and offer both water and UCan hydration (with the exception of the one around mile 8 which offerss UCan fuel and Gu).

This year was blessedly not so humid, but the heat was definitely felt. Eventually, the strategy was to run in the shade and walk in the sun. The course does have a lot of shade on it, especially in the first 3/4, but the last bit is more sun than shade. I wasn’t last which is all that matters.

The finish area offers a nice spread with bagels, yogurt, ice cream pops (new this year), chocolate milk, animal crackers, popcorn, bars, watermelon, and pizza. There is also a bathroom with showers and changing facilities at the beach, though they’re smaller so don’t rely on them. Plus the beach gets very crowded early, so you’re competing with beach goers.

Despite how hot this race always is and how challenging the course is, I just keep coming back.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
4

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This year, we had odd weather for the Pride Run. We waited for the race to start in the rain, but as we were walking to the start line, it … MORE

This year, we had odd weather for the Pride Run. We waited for the race to start in the rain, but as we were walking to the start line, it began to clear and went straight to partly cloudy…and humid.

The course starts by going up the Harlem Hills in the first mile or so and up Cat Hill around mile 4 or so with plenty of hills in between. There are all sorts of fun outfits that runners and spectators alike wear. My personal favorite was one spectator wearing a pink unicorn hat and rainbow hotpants.

The humidity and sun combined were a killer this year, but all said I only missed by time goal by 4 minutes. The shirts this year are nice tech tanks that are, sadly, white…but the stitching is all done with rainbow thread which is a cute touch. At the end of the race, runners can grab rainbow bagels (or regular ones if that’s your thing), apples, and rainbow ice pops. There is also a line where you can pick up some free swag, but the line is so long I recommend grabbing it beforehand and sticking it in your checked bag or your pockets. Rewards are announced by drag queen which was also very fun.

I’d run this race again and just hope for better weather. Register early because it sells out.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
3

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My friends and I drove up on Friday and back on Monday so it was nice to have a relaxing travel weekend. We picked up our bibs on Saturday. It … MORE

My friends and I drove up on Friday and back on Monday so it was nice to have a relaxing travel weekend. We picked up our bibs on Saturday. It was out the local outlets. It really wasn’t an expo. You pick up your bib and t-shirt and receive a bunch of make-up and female product samples as well as a bottle of wine. This year’s samples included a Riesling, a 3lb bag of mint green tea epsom salts, 3 different types of lip gloss, a full size bronzer, a sample of deep conditioning hair treatment, and pain relief gel. The shirts looked smaller than they actually ran (I found they looked small, but fit true to size). This year’s color was purple which was perfect as it’s my favorite color. Each year the race is dedicated to a certain woman from history and this year was dedicated to Harriet Tubman.

Katherine Switzer is on hand at packet pickup signing copies of her books and taking pictures with whomever wants. She actually took a picture with my friends and I. The night before the race, there’s an inspiration dinner (which is very worth going to) with very good food and Katherine Switzer speaks and again signs autographs and takes photos with people.

The race itself is nice. It’s very flat and the only true hill is a small bridge. You run past the falls twice in the first 3 miles and the rest of the course is out along water, so there’s nice scenery. There is a truck with complimentary coffee and hot cocoa at the race start (where Katherine Switzer is once again on hand). The porta potties are very clean and well stocked. Volunteers among the porta potties were distributing tampons and had extra toilet paper on hand. The porta potties themselves had lavender scented purel and flowers in the urinals. Katherine Switzer is on hand around mile 5 to high five all of the runners and at the finish to give a hug to whomever wants. The medals were also very nice.

This year’s weather wasn’t so fabulous. It was in the upper 50’s to low 60’s and on and off drizzle (luckily more off than on). I would definitely do it again, plus the entry fee is very affordable as it’s in Canadian currency and the early bird rate ends up around $55 USD.

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I had no races on my May calendar this year, so I decided to run the Japan Run. NYRR allows day of packet pickup for this race, as well as … MORE

I had no races on my May calendar this year, so I decided to run the Japan Run. NYRR allows day of packet pickup for this race, as well as pickup from the Sunday prior through the day before at their Run Hub on the west side.

The blessing of this race is that you do not have to run up Harlem Hill, which makes Cat Hill much more manageable. This year, we got super lucky on the weather which was gorgeous.

The course features about 3 water stations over the 4 miles and the finish had cups of water, apples, and various types of bagels. Since the run is in Central Park, it’s hilly, but being only 4 miles the hills really aren’t so bad.

The race takes place on Japan Day, so if you want to stick around afterwards there are various things to check out, music, and food tents that open about 11:30. There is also a kid’s run making the day a possible family event.

The race usually sells out, so don’t wait until the last minute to register and is part of NYRR’s 9+1.

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The WCS Run for the Wild is a fun way to see the Bronx Zoo. Your registration includes free entry to stay at the zoo all day (though you'll have … MORE

The WCS Run for the Wild is a fun way to see the Bronx Zoo. Your registration includes free entry to stay at the zoo all day (though you’ll have to pay if you want to see any of the ‘premium’ exhibits like the gorillas) and free parking. There is the 5k run and then a family run/walk that starts about 45 minutes after the 5k. You do have to raise $30 on top of the entry fee in order to run.

This year, the race featured “waves” by pace to help break up the crowd of runners, which helped to cut down on course congestion.

The course itself winds through the zoo, past various exhibits like the monkeys and giraffes. Even though the exhibits proper don’t open until after the race is over, animals are still out and you’re able to see and take photos of them.

The finish area includes water, muffins, fruit, etc. as well as giveaways from various companies, a beer garden, a rock climbing wall, and free post run zumba. Then you can spend as much time at the zoo as you want. This year, the weather was gorgeous, but it was rather warm and humid.

It’s definitely a fun 5k and you can decide what animal you want your entry fee/fundraising to benefit from a list of 5 or so animals.

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This year's weather couldn't have been more perfect. It was in the 40's when we started, 50's when we finished, and sunny. Faxon Law always puts on a good race. … MORE

This year’s weather couldn’t have been more perfect. It was in the 40’s when we started, 50’s when we finished, and sunny. Faxon Law always puts on a good race. Most roads were open, but there was very little traffic and we were in the shoulder with cones blocking it off to traffic on the more main roads. I felt safe the entire time. There were also police vehicles regularly patrolling the course.

It’s not a huge field, but I was never alone, so it was a nice small race atmosphere.

They offer pre race packet pickup as well as day of. There was water and UCAN hydrate on the course about every 2 miles or so and a porta potty at mile 1.5/11.5. The course is mostly a giant look with about 1.5 miles that are out and back.

The course itself is rather pretty. You run along woods, streams where you can hear the frogs “talking” to each other (it’s mating season, afterall), and is otherwise mostly residential. The course is definitely hilly. Miles 7-9 are pretty regularly uphill, but there’s a nice long downhill in the last 4 miles or so of the course. If you pace yourself and take short walk breaks accordingly, the hills really aren’t that bad because they aren’t steep…just long. The finish is also downhill, which is super nice.

The first 1,000 registrants get a tech tee, the rest cotton, but rarely are there over 1,000 runners (there were about 700 this year). The medal was also pretty nice. Post race, I only found water (granted I didn’t look for anything else because I was going to lunch with my family), but the website advertises pizza like the other Faxon Law races.

The best part of the whole thing is that the parking is super easy and the start/finish is by the war memorial which has actual bathrooms (there were also porta potties out back if you didn’t want to wait in line). It also advertises changing and shower facilities (which again I didn’t look for).

All in all, it’s a great local race with a challenging course and nice small town atmosphere. Would do it again, especially with weather like this year’s.

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I ran this race last year as well. Last year, the race course was the usual one involving a few miles in Rockefeller State Park. This year, because of the … MORE

I ran this race last year as well. Last year, the race course was the usual one involving a few miles in Rockefeller State Park. This year, because of the snow, the course was entirely on roads. This made the course hillier and less scenic. There were also quite a few potholes on the roads, making me question if the all roads course was really safer than the trails since most of the snow had melted.

At any rate, Rivertown Runners always puts on a great race. There’s pre-race packet pickup available at Westchester Road Runner or race day pickup. Parking is super easy at Sleepy Hollow High School or the nearby train station (or you can take the train in and walk to the start). There aren’t a ton of water stops, but there are a few and I carry my own water anyway. There isn’t much on course support aside from the volunteers, but the volunteers are awesome and cheer everyone along. As with all Rivertown Runners races, this race ends right after a rather obnoxious hill (which is not very nice after all of the hills on the course).

The shirt is always a nice long sleeved tech shirt. My only real complaint is that the medal is the same exact one every year. The only thing that changes is the year and the color of the ribbon.

Post race, there is water, beer, fruit, granola bars, popcorn, and the Walters hot dog food truck (bring cash). The only thing that’s missing, in my opinion, is chocolate milk, which I’m crossing my fingers they have next year.

I’m not sure I’d do this race again on the all roads course, but since the weather is so unpredictable in March, it’s hard to say what you’ll get unless you wait to register last minute.

The weather this year wasn’t as perfect as last year, but it was still in the 50’s. Just cloudy with the occasional sprinkle of rain so I really can’t complain.

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This is a nice local race that is well run. They give a long sleeve tech shirt and the medal this year was really nice and had a printed ribbon … MORE

This is a nice local race that is well run. They give a long sleeve tech shirt and the medal this year was really nice and had a printed ribbon and was unique from past years. After the race, they have hot cocoa with unlimited refills and bagels with cream cheese, butter, and peanut butter. Bag check is super easy and volunteers are always watching your stuff.
The course was new this year and more challenging. It was two 4 mile loops of the “middle” section of the park and then a 5 mile loop including the Harlem Hills. The Harlem Hills were on the last loop and going up Cat Hill 3 times was something I’m not sure I need to repeat, but breaking up the route like that helped break up the distance. The course has a 3 hour time limit.
The race is easy to get to on public transit. The 102st entrance to the park is a short walk from the 103rd St. stop on the 6 subway line which you can pick up at Harlem 125th St. if you’re coming from outside of the city.

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This year was cold and windy, super windy, but this is an awesome race. I actually enjoyed this race more than the NYC Marathon. My hotel was an easy walk … MORE

This year was cold and windy, super windy, but this is an awesome race. I actually enjoyed this race more than the NYC Marathon.

My hotel was an easy walk to the expo and start/finish line. I could eat breakfast, walk to the start, and just start which was refreshing after NYC. The course goes by most, if not all, of the landmarks of Philly and there is really only one challenging hill in the middle of the course.

This year there weren’t many spectators because of the weather, but I’ve heard the course support is usually great.

Nice medal, awesome shirts, nice expo.

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Running the 5 boroughs is like nothing else, but the Verrazzano Bridge was my favorite part of the race. Getting to Staten Island on public transit was a nightmare. Took … MORE

Running the 5 boroughs is like nothing else, but the Verrazzano Bridge was my favorite part of the race.

Getting to Staten Island on public transit was a nightmare. Took an hour of standing and shuffling to get on a bus from the ferry, then almost another hour to get from the bus to the start village. We barely made it before the corrals closed.
Because we started so late, fueling before is a challenge. There are much fewer spectators for Wave 4 and I was disappointed in the turnout especially since the weather was so beautiful. Plus, finishing in the dark sucks.

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This race is an out and back on the Bronx River Parkway. This means two main things. 1. you know what you're in for on the way back and 2. … MORE

This race is an out and back on the Bronx River Parkway. This means two main things. 1. you know what you’re in for on the way back and 2. it’s sort of scenic. There are some hills, but only one that’s particularly “bad,” plus coming into the finish involves a long downhill (woo downhill!).

You can pick up your packet day of the race or before the race at a local spot like the New Balance Store. After the race, each runner gets a free grilled cheese from a food truck (and it was a yummy grilled cheese at that), apple cider donuts, and Hudson Valley chocolate milk (which was also delicious).

Plus, since it starts/ends at the County Center, it’s super easy to park on site (though you have to shell out about $5) and not too bad a walk from the White Plains train station. It’s also along the Bronx River trail so if you want to add on miles before/after the race, that’s very easy to do.

It’s also back of the pack friendly as you can start 30 minutes early with the walkers (you just won’t qualify for awards). Registration comes with a long sleeve tech shirt and each year the medals have become higher quality.

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The expo for this race is big and awesome. If you run the 5k the day before you get a third medal (which is cool). My hotel was an easy … MORE

The expo for this race is big and awesome. If you run the 5k the day before you get a third medal (which is cool).

My hotel was an easy walk to the start/finish. The course this year was a little disappointing. They had changed it so you no longer run past the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Instead, you run over to the Eastern State Penitentiary (which brings with it a long hill).

There are a decent number of bands on the course as well as the usual RnR cheer stations and inflatable Brooks rocker dude.

The tech shirt and medal were nice (as usual with Rock ‘n’ Roll races) and post finish, walking to the Reading Terminal Market for breakfast isn’t so long a walk.

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I ran the 5k as part of the remix challenge this year (running both the 5k and 13.1). The shirt and medal were awesome (Ben Franklin with a running headband). … MORE

I ran the 5k as part of the remix challenge this year (running both the 5k and 13.1). The shirt and medal were awesome (Ben Franklin with a running headband). The scenery is okay. It’s just an out and back along the (closed) road overlooking the river and Art Museum. Going out you aren’t really looking at anything, but coming back you’re chasing the Art Museum.

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This is another nice local race, just usually happens to be quite hot since it's in late June. You can easily pick up your packet day of and bag check … MORE

This is another nice local race, just usually happens to be quite hot since it’s in late June. You can easily pick up your packet day of and bag check is super easy. It’s also easy to get to by car or Metro North as the race offers shuttles from the train station to the beach where the race set up is.

The course isn’t super challenging since they took out some of the hills a few years ago, but there are a few hills. I think the most challenging part is the temperature and/or humidity at that time of year. The course is closed which is nice and local police do a very good job of keeping locals from interfering with the race (meaning local drivers) since the course goes through mostly residential areas. You get some great Sound views along the course too as well as the odd beer from a resident. The local fire department sets up sprinklers all along the course and many residents follow suit with their garden hoses. Some even pass out fruit and ice.

Your entry fee comes with a tech tee and a pretty nice medal. Post race there is a spread with pizza, watermelon, bagels, and more and there’s always plenty for us slower runners.

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This race involves running up Harlem Hill twice...let that sink in. It's very hilly since it's a full 2 loops of Central Park and its rolling hills. Even the finish … MORE

This race involves running up Harlem Hill twice…let that sink in. It’s very hilly since it’s a full 2 loops of Central Park and its rolling hills. Even the finish is up an incline, which is just mean.

It’s put on by NYRR so it’s well organized, the shirt is tech, the medal isn’t half bad, and there’s a nice spread of things to see once you finish as well as a goodie bag for each participant complete with samples of food, coupons, etc. Being in Central Park, it’s also a pretty course and it’s easy to get to via public transportation.

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I have a special place in my heart for the NYC 1/2. It was my first 1/2 ever and I've run it a total of 4 times. The downside to … MORE

I have a special place in my heart for the NYC 1/2. It was my first 1/2 ever and I’ve run it a total of 4 times. The downside to it is that you either have to qualify by time, run for charity, or get lucky enough to get picked in the lottery.

The only other downside is that the location of the expo changes and some years it’s pretty bad (2016 saw no expo at all, just BIB pickup).

Every year, the medal has gotten nicer and they offer gender specific shirts, however you’re stuck with the size that you choose at registration so it helps to ask those who’ve run it how the shirt runs.

The course is fun. The hills are basically all in the first 6 miles as the course begins in Central Park. From there, it’s out to Times Square and down the West Side Highway (which is flat if not slightly downhill), finally ending on Wall St. You can’t beat the scenery of the city and the crowd support is nice, especially around Times Square and the finish. Crowd support can be a bit sparse on the West Side Highway, but there are cheer stations and stations with bands, DJs, etc. all along the course. There are also plenty of water stops and a gel stop around mile 8.

At the finish, you are handed your medal, a foil blanket, and a goodie bag usually containing fruit, pretzels, gatorade, and other assorted promotional goodies. It can be tricky to locate family members at the finish, so it helps to have a pre-desinated reunion spot. The finish is right near the ferry and subway, so it’s easy to get back uptown (the course is point to point).

The weather is very iffy in March in NYC, so plan for anything from freezing cold to…not so freezing cold. Yeah, it’s been cold every year…and it’s basically always windy. Definitely bring something to wear and toss off at the start and layer accordingly.

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This is a nice small local race with various starting times for walkers, slower runners, and runners. When you register, you have the option of donating to have a sign … MORE

This is a nice small local race with various starting times for walkers, slower runners, and runners. When you register, you have the option of donating to have a sign placed along the course honoring someone currently fighting cancer or in memory of someone who lost that fight. This section of the course (which you pass by twice, making taking your sign with you to the finish easy), is quite emotional.

The course description says “gently rolling hills”…that’s a lie that the race director herself has owned up to, having a sign along the course saying “gently rolling hills my butt” (among other amusing things). It is, however, a pretty course since you pass by a couple of lakes.

When you finish you have the option of baked ziti or burgers and the like (and you can only pick one so there is enough for everyone). The start/finish is at the local hotel (which is also next to an Italian restaurant and pizza place).

The only real downside is that the roads aren’t all closed (for 2017 they’re planning to close some of the open roads because a runner was hit in 2016. Luckily they were okay.).

Your registration comes with a zipper sweatshirt or fleece with the race insignia on it and the medal is pretty nice for a small local race. You also get personal emails from the race director that are pretty darn amusing.

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I decided to run this race because I didn't get in for NYC and it is local for me. Getting to the race is easy because you can either take … MORE

I decided to run this race because I didn’t get in for NYC and it is local for me. Getting to the race is easy because you can either take the train in and walk to the start or park at the high school where there is ample parking and walk down to the start. The race is put on by the Rivertown Runners and is very well organized. The shirt was a nice long sleeve tech shirt and the medal was also nice.

The weather this year was awesome (though it can be hit or miss in March). The course itself has a couple of brutal hills (one in the beginning and one right before the finish, which is where all Rivertown Runner races end and is just plain mean).

The course itself is nice. You start in town and run into Rockefellar State Park, which has a few hills and great views of the Hudson River and Tappan Zee Bridge, as well as being pretty in and of itself. You run past a couple of historical Sleepy Hollow sites as well. Once you leave the park, you run through the parking lot of the medical center (which is a sponsor) where EMS has a water table set up. There aren’t too many water stops on the course, so plan to bring your own water. You then proceed along Route 117 up to one of the entrances to the park, which is a long incline. Luckily, once you go up you get to run down it! The rest of the run is mainly through residential areas with a jaunt out to the lighthouse and back. Some locals come out to cheer, but it can get pretty quiet aside from other runners, so plan accordingly.

There isn’t much of a finish area, it’s just the same as the starting area. I just wanted to walk up the huge hill to my car before my legs gave up on me so I didn’t check it out, but they have a good number of porta potties right around the start/finish area.

I was chasing a PR up until the final 5k or so and that last hill killed it for me, but I enjoyed this race greatly and plan to run it again in 2017. The other major perk is that race photos are FREE!

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Let me preface this by saying that I was registered for the full marathon. Due to the weather (heat index hit about 90) the course was cut so I was … MORE

Let me preface this by saying that I was registered for the full marathon. Due to the weather (heat index hit about 90) the course was cut so I was only able to do the half. The thick fog in the morning combined with 80 degree temperature should have been a clue that it would be a horrible race.

Being put on by Rock ‘n’ Roll, the race is very well organized. The expo is huge, free ferries are provided to get you there, and the swag is awesome.

The course, however, was meh. The only scenery would have been the start along the waterfront in historic downtown (if not for the fog) and the finish at Forsythe Fountain. Since 2015 the course has been changed to incorporate more of historic downtown Savannah.

The course itself isn’t challenging…the weather is what made the race very difficult. Some runners were even passing out along the way and one runner died during the race, one after returning home later that day. 2015 was a train wreck in Savannah. I hope future years are better.

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This is a local race that was in its 90th year this past fall so I thought: why not? I had friends running it, it was decently priced, and easy … MORE

This is a local race that was in its 90th year this past fall so I thought: why not? I had friends running it, it was decently priced, and easy to get to.

However, there were some definite issues with the race. The first issue is that the scenery is only in the first half or so. You run out along the river, it’s pretty. However, when you’re on the way back to the riverfront (where the race begins and ends), you run through some very questionable parts of downtown Yonkers. The second issue is that very few roads were closed. For a brief section of the course, there was a coned off lane for runners…actual closed streets were only a few at the start. The rest of the race was full on sharing the road with cars and cars that were unaware there was a race and didn’t care that runners were on the road. For the back of the pack, this meant being relatively alone among cars that were maybe 10 inches away…if not closer. Not very safe. Oh, and part of the race is in a residential area and very poorly marked. I only knew I was on course because of discarded Gu wrappers.

They call Yonkers the “city of hills” and that isn’t a misnomer. This course is anything but fast and doesn’t even resemble flat. It’s very challenging and definitely not a PR course.

The good points were thus: There were bagels and water at the finish line, the shirt is a tech tee and is pretty nice, and the medal is nice (the tee has the same design as the medal).

NYCruns used to put on this even, but starting in 2016 another company has taken over. Not sure I want to give it another go due to lack of road closures, so I guess we’ll see what future reviews have to say.

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2015 was the first year that Rock 'n' Roll had a half marathon distance race in Brooklyn...and it showed. Staying in Brooklyn, it was very easy to get to the … MORE

2015 was the first year that Rock ‘n’ Roll had a half marathon distance race in Brooklyn…and it showed.

Staying in Brooklyn, it was very easy to get to the race start and to the hotel from the race finish by subway. The expo, however, was on the other end of Brooklyn and was small, had very few vendors, and was half outdoors (it rained later that afternoon so some folks got wet).

On race morning, there were not nearly enough security points for the number of participants nor enough porta potties. The course itself goes through Brooklyn neighborhoods, ending in Prospect Park (where really the only course hills are..and what a doozy of a hill it is).

The race swag was nice. A cute tech tee and spiffy medal that was also a bottle opener.

For 2016, Rock ‘n’ Roll was changing the course a bit, changing the expo, and hopefully remedying the other issues the 2015 race had.

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I loved this race. The course is challenging in sections (as in there is a mile long uphill climb a little over halfway through), but it's all downhill after mile … MORE

I loved this race. The course is challenging in sections (as in there is a mile long uphill climb a little over halfway through), but it’s all downhill after mile 10! As soon as you land at the airport, they have signs welcoming runners and the visitor’s bureau provides all runners who fly in with a goodie bag. You can also sign up for a shuttle from the airport to the area hotels both in Cincinnati and in the Covington, KY area.

The expo is amazing. It’s huge and the race is sponsored by P&G so there is a line you can get on for free samples! There are all sorts of things to do and buy at the expo that you almost need more than one day to see it all.

The tee shirt is tech material and was cute the year I did it. They also offer finisher gear and you have the option to personalize the shirt with your bib and finish time! The medal is amazing too!

There is amazing crowd support the whole way, as if the entire city has come out to cheer. I’ve never seen such support. They also have awesome water stops! Some have granola bars, swedish fish, twizzlers, and other assorted goodies. At the finish, you can take pictures with assorted flying pig statues and every food sponsor gives out samples. There was so much food that people were taking empty boxes to carry all of it.

Some of the course isn’t the most picturesque, but after you make it up the giant hill, you get a great view of the river and beyond and the rest of it is mostly the city or the outskirts, which is all nice.

Also at the finish is a PR bell and leftover gear from the expo at half price!

I stayed in Convington, KY on the river and had a great view of Cincinnati and the river! It was also within walking distance of the start, the expo, and the finish (they also provide shuttle buses from the finish to area hotels). We also took part in the night before pasta buffet, which was well worth the price and also within walking distance.

I highly recommend this race and hope to one day return to run the whole hog (the marathon)! Especially since the marathon course offered runners bacon.

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The Lake Placid 1/2 marathon also includes a full marathon which I was happy to not be running because of the elevation profile of the course. I drove up to … MORE

The Lake Placid 1/2 marathon also includes a full marathon which I was happy to not be running because of the elevation profile of the course.

I drove up to participate in the race and had a hotel within walking distance of downtown Lake Placid and the start/finish. The town is cute and not overly touristy. Most hotels overlook one of the area lakes and I had a great view from my hotel window.

Packet pickup is down where the Olympic oval was and really is not an expo, but it’s efficient.

The course for the race starts uphill which should be a sign for how the rest of the course is. Some of the hills are quite steep, the worst of which (in my opinion) is the final hill up to the finish…which means some downhills are steep so be careful not to overdo it. The scenery on the course is quite beautiful, so don’t run this one for time (the hills will prevent it anyway), stop to take photos.

Aid stations on the course feature water, but also orange slices and granola bars. They should have bug spray as well for dumb people like me who didn’t apply any. I removed my calf sleeves after the race and my legs were covered with black fly bites. People also had bleeding fly bites on their bare shoulders. The bites didn’t hurt and weren’t felt when they happened, but my lord did they itch about a week later.

The finish line is on the olympic speed skating oval, which you have to run a lap of after climbing the hill of doom, so don’t think you’re done once you reach the top of the hill…you still have a lap to go.

The medal wasn’t huge or super high quality, but it was nice and you get a dry fit tee.

I can’t remark on the post race spread aside from water because I left for lunch with my mother once I finished.

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