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@samderusso

Fort Lauderdale, FL Raving since 2019 Active 2 weeks, 3 days ago

About Me

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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 (2)

Race Distance Location Date Result
Marathon Ft. Lauderdale, FL Jan 26, 2020 5:05:00
Half Marathon Miami, FL Feb 9, 2020 2:23:00

Future Races (0)

Race Distance Location Date Paid

Past Races (14)

Race Distance Location Date Result My Raves My Performance
Half Marathon Little Rock, AR Mar 2, 2024
Half Marathon Miami, FL Jan 28, 2024
Marathon Pittsburgh, PA May 7, 2023
Marathon Ft. Lauderdale, FL Feb 19, 2023
Half Marathon Miami, FL Jan 29, 2023
Marathon Staten Island, NY Nov 6, 2022
Half Marathon Homestead, FL Oct 21, 2022
Half Marathon Miami, FL Feb 6, 2022
Half Marathon Wheeling, WV May 29, 2021
Half Marathon Miami, FL Feb 9, 2020 2:23:00
Marathon Ft. Lauderdale, FL Jan 26, 2020 5:05:00
Half Marathon Omaha, NE Sep 22, 2019
Marathon Miami, FL Jan 27, 2019
Half Marathon Bath, NY Sep 30, 2018

My Raves

I loved this race! The race production is outstanding. You start and finish from the convention center so you can stay or get warm quickly. Everything was SO smooth. The … MORE

I loved this race! The race production is outstanding. You start and finish from the convention center so you can stay or get warm quickly. Everything was SO smooth. The expo was fantastic and full of goodies. Gear check was smooth and easy. Everyone was SO nice and Little Rock was a fantastic little town. We really enjoyed exploring — take a trip to hot springs too if you can! (Soak in the baths for recovery there!).
The course was great. It wasn’t too hilly at all and let you see a good chunk of the city. My favorite part was just before the finish, ladies hand you lipstick so you can glam up for the finish photo. Such a cute idea!! I loved this race, absolute 10/10 and truly a very well oiled machine. There’s plenty of hotels in the area as well within a short walking distance to the start line.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
4
SWAG
5

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I love this race! It's gorgeous from start to finish and the course never disappoints throughout. There aren't tons of crowds the entire way but the crowds that do come … MORE

I love this race! It’s gorgeous from start to finish and the course never disappoints throughout. There aren’t tons of crowds the entire way but the crowds that do come out are so amazing and packed! (especially as you get into downtown).
Getting to the race is easy even from Fort Lauderdale or Palm Beach thanks to the Brightline train. The expo is always great with good giveaways and fun things to see (and you can explore Lincoln road after!). Race day is well run and organized. It’s a big race but it is run well. The medals are always awesome! You get a nice short sleeve shirt with a cute design. This makes a great destination race, or even a quick visit to south florida. Weather can be cool or rather warm for January so you just never know! Overall, this race is a favorite for me & a truly wonderful experience!

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5

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This course is a fun way to see the city and a good challenge. The first half you’re with the half marathoners and you get to see the stadiums, great … MORE

This course is a fun way to see the city and a good challenge. The first half you’re with the half marathoners and you get to see the stadiums, great views of the city and a good amount of crowd support.
As you breakaway from the half runners, things quiet down and the hills get a little bigger. The race even has ‘hill runners’ to help run with you up the big long hill going into Oakland. While the second half is quieter, you still get crowds and great aid stations. You get to see some of the other neighborhoods in the city which is neat. The hills are tough but not anything that made me stop in my tracks steep.
Race weather can be cold and rainy or sunny and warm — you just never know! Often it’s a combo! Overall great race with a good expo, good feel and excitement from the city. Whether tourist or local, it’s a fun race to do. Race day logistics aren’t overly complicated or crowded which is nice!

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
4
SWAG
3

2 members marked this review helpful. Agree?

Beautiful scenery along the beach for majority of the course. You do get blocked by condos toward one end of the loop. Downside is that this is currently a looped … MORE

Beautiful scenery along the beach for majority of the course. You do get blocked by condos toward one end of the loop. Downside is that this is currently a looped course (it wasn’t always so hopeful they bring back the old version).
It can be straight sun though temps are usually quite nice! Great finish line area and everything is well organized. My favorite expo ever with tons of freebies! Easy race morning logistics. Easy to Uber to the start or park too with a little walk.
Despite the e out and back loops, I love this race and enjoy the beauty. You get to watch the sunrise!

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
4

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

Fantastic race and a great way to see Miami. Perfect for a vacation destination race. Gorgeous views, big race feel and well run. If you stay in Fort Lauderdale or … MORE

Fantastic race and a great way to see Miami. Perfect for a vacation destination race.
Gorgeous views, big race feel and well run.
If you stay in Fort Lauderdale or palm beach, generally they run the train for you to take down as well which is great! So helpful.
Scenery is gorgeous, expo is the best with tons of samples and lots to do, post race party is great. The park can get a bit crowded after the race but we always just find a quiet spot out of the way to relax a bit and enjoy the fun.
The half has tons of people running so you’re never alone but also not dodging anyone.
Lots of port a potties and aid stations too!

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
3

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

This major is a MUST do if you get the chance. Hands down the best crowd support you’ll ever experience. The feeling was unreal when they are just screaming for … MORE

This major is a MUST do if you get the chance. Hands down the best crowd support you’ll ever experience. The feeling was unreal when they are just screaming for you as you run through a tunnel of people. Every moment of the race was amazing.
The weather this year was hot and even with a bad finish time for myself, it was incredible.
Race morning logistics can be overwhelming but once you read through things and read some tips online, it’s not bad at all. The only downside is the wait to start late. That was hard for me to start late but again, WORTH IT. This is truly a once in a lifetime race.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5

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This course was super unique and not a place I’d normally run (even as a native south Floridian). Don’t expect to actually see the Everglades, however. You’re SO close (like … MORE

This course was super unique and not a place I’d normally run (even as a native south Floridian). Don’t expect to actually see the Everglades, however. You’re SO close (like next to it!! But you’re not in it, exactly). You get to experience a side of S Fl that nobody sees really.. miles and miles of nurseries and farms with every tropical fruit or plant you could think of. I loved this and thought it was so fun. It’s long, straightaways and desolate. It was incredibly beautiful, aid stations were great, weather was awesome, the shirt was SO cute, medal was huge, and the post race box was the best I’d ever had!
Go into it knowing you won’t be running amongst gators and Everglades but rather exploring a very unique part of south Florida where people don’t travel normally. I felt like this was such a cool way to explore a place in my state that I don’t normally get to run around.
The pot holes and mud were as expected because you’re literally on dirt roads in the middle of nowhere. It was nothing terrible. Watch your step and remember you’re on someone’s farming land essentially. This isn’t a typical city road race, which is what makes it fun.
Others mentioned below about trash dumped. The trash that was dumped was fairly typical of the Redlands and not a big deal at all in terms of the race.
I would definitely run this again! Unique, cool and interesting. It was a great run.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
3
SWAG
5
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This is one of my absolute favorites. Every turn is gorgeous views. For a massive race, this thing is run like a fine tuned machine. Especially when you think about … MORE

This is one of my absolute favorites. Every turn is gorgeous views. For a massive race, this thing is run like a fine tuned machine. Especially when you think about the city of Miami shutting down for a few hours. The course has tons of aid stations, awesome crowds throughout to cheer you on & did i mention the views?! It’s so fun to see various areas of Miami. The finish line fest is great, expo has tons of booths and overall the race is just amazing. It’s well run as an event, one of the best I’ve been to, & you can’t help but have fun on the course.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

This is a TOUGH one!! But great course support along the way! It was fun to wind through the town and see a new place plus the challenge of the … MORE

This is a TOUGH one!! But great course support along the way! It was fun to wind through the town and see a new place plus the challenge of the hills. They have real bathrooms to use before and after which is nice. Well organized and well done. I would defintely do it again just for the challenge. Nice medal as well! I really enjoyed it and feel like it showcased the terrain of WV well.

DIFFICULTY
5
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
4
SWAG
3

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Beautiful scenery the entire time with awesome crowds and a great expo. The race takes you through all of the best scenes of Miami, so even as a local, it … MORE

Beautiful scenery the entire time with awesome crowds and a great expo. The race takes you through all of the best scenes of Miami, so even as a local, it is beautiful and exciting. The entire vibe of the race is so exciting and fun! The post race party is great and they always have great snacks.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5

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Beautiful scenery the entire time. If you’re doing the full, the course thins out once the half runners leave to turn. It is an out and back course for the … MORE

Beautiful scenery the entire time. If you’re doing the full, the course thins out once the half runners leave to turn. It is an out and back course for the last good chunk. Course support was great! The expo was amazing with TONS of giveaways. The start line is perfect to get dropped off at, if you can! Early start makes for less heat and a beautiful sunrise. The finish line is amazing with SO much food! It’s great to hang out on the beach, grab a bite at one of the many local restaurants and enjoy the vendors at the finish line. Parking for spectators was easy as well. The medals are HUGE!! This is my favorite and a must do. The weather can be fairly cool (2020 started out in the low 50s) or a little warmer so prepare for options.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5

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The 2019 Heartland Half marathon was a little different than other years considering it was cancelled within the first 3 miles due to extreme weather conditions. I have raced dozens … MORE

The 2019 Heartland Half marathon was a little different than other years considering it was cancelled within the first 3 miles due to extreme weather conditions. I have raced dozens of races over the years and never experienced this type of situation especially with the flooding and storm that happened. It was pretty insane but the race management handled it so well. They tried their best in a crazy situation. The 5k that I did get to run of the course was fabulous despite the downpour. The run club putting it on was excellent and so kind! We stayed in a hotel right near the start and people could not have been nicer. Omaha is such a fun hidden gem of a town and we made an entire weekend out of it. Easy access from the airport via a tram and plenty to do! Definitely check this one off the list. It is a smaller race with all the good aspects!

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5

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The views were beautiful so while you may be suffering through 26.2 miles, you've got plenty to look at. Race crowds were fun and cheerful. They made a 20,000 person … MORE

The views were beautiful so while you may be suffering through 26.2 miles, you’ve got plenty to look at. Race crowds were fun and cheerful. They made a 20,000 person event feel much smaller because it was so well organized and run. The medal was awesome, course support was great and PLENTY of water/aid stops. Expo was also a great one!

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5

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LOVE LOVE LOVE this race. First off, Corning is adorable and the entire finger lakes region is amazing. A must do trip (take a day and go to Ithaca too!!). … MORE

LOVE LOVE LOVE this race. First off, Corning is adorable and the entire finger lakes region is amazing. A must do trip (take a day and go to Ithaca too!!). The expo is so cute –its inside the Corning museum of glass! Book an appointment early for glass blowing if you want to try it! The expo was smaller but packed with good stops. The zip up you get for your race shirt is the best! Not some dinky thin shirt.
The course is beautiful and picturesque upstate NY. You run through small towns and past farm houses. The finish line area is great and a fun way to finish on the main drag. The medal is so unique (glass) and beautiful! Overall, this race is amazing and a must do for upstate NY.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
5
SWAG
5

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

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