Shelby O's Staging Area

This race has gone on for many years. It used to be a local favorite. Each year it gets more disappointing. It is at night which is wonderful for a Florida race. The organizing is good with packet pickup and where to park, very clear. The shirt is ok, and the medal is always amazing each year, those are the pros. The cons are, barely any Christmas or holiday atmosphere on the street, compared to previous years. No snow machine on the course like previous years. Hardly any spectators like previous years. Absolutely no vendors set up as advertised, this is always a favorite as they advertise the race to hang out before and after. They had Publix handing out cake pops, which was very good. The weinermobile was there for Pics ONLY, and one table had some energy drinks and snacks but ran out BEFORE the race. NO BEER as advertised, even the volunteers were disappointed. The food from the Grove was good, but super tiny portion, no option of anything, you get a roll and ziti, not even a fruit bar banana etc. NO swag, previous years, got a bag with light up show laces, bracelets, lots of swag. They do advertise it, this year, nothing. Look elsewhere, lots of other race options.

Really enjoyed this Vermont half as my 13th state. Communication was outstanding, with all instructions, very easy to follow especially for out of staters. Morning of race, easy parking, was chilly, about 34, and windy entire race, but warmed a little. It was absolutely beautiful, all paved roads, rolling hills. Not crowded at all and genuinely friendly people. The houses we passed had spectators with bubble machines, signs, water, coffee, and cheering loudly! End of race, nice medal and inside for food. Had veggie chile if you like that, and then just some nutri grain bars, bananas and apples. They did have hot chocolate which was a bonus. I would have liked more of a filler or options for after running a half and I am sure the marathoners did too. Nothing for swag, just a tshirt, then the medal. Would have liked a bag, even with coupons from sponsors, esp. for out of the area runners. Would choose this race again over other Vermont options!

Great communication, easy parking, easy bib pickup. No shirt, but get a finisher medal. Started on time….Was super hot and humid, many people overheated. The 1st half of race wonderful scenery, second half was ok. The amount of people supporting this race was incredible. It is what kept me going and smiling. They were all out on every corner and block! Offering water, sprinklers and hose to cool us off. Holding up signs and just cheering for us! This is what made it awesome, met some real nice people. Finisher food was banana, popcorn, soda, water, small bowl of clam chowder. I did get some, but felt bad for many runners because they literally ran out of everything and still had about 50 runners to come in. They had water left, warm. The volunteers didn’t know what to do. It looked like many runners had their families helping themselves. Anyway, I enjoyed it, and another state off my list!

This was a repeat state for me, picked this race on prior reviews and hearsay. Great communication from sign up to morning of. Packet pickup nice, nothing great or expo. Very pricy and advertised swag, but was just a lightweight hoodie. Race morning busy, the start and finish was where the entrance and exit was which was awkward for everyone. Nice scenery, only saw few horses,no crowd support at all, which was unexpected. Few water stations, no gatorade or fuel. Finish line was ok. Medal is beautiful. The race Director is very involved in the race and truly loves it. I would not do it again. Try the Pisgah in Versailles-that one was once in a lifetime!!!! EVERYONE goes out, so much energy!

This was my 1/2 for Georgia! Great communication from registration until day of. Everything went smooth. We drove from Florida the night before and di packet pickup. no traffic, no wait. One of the sponsors was giving out hot free nachos. You could buy shorts from the previous years for super cheap, think it was $2 a shirt. Not much in the bag, shirt, bib, protein bay, magnet and a sticker. Morning of very organized. Easy to park and walk to start which was like 200 feet, lol. I took my time as I like to stop and take pictures because I know I probably won’t go back. Was all flat, mostly pavement, cement. One section of dirt trail under 1/4 mile. No crowding or difficulty passing anywhere on the race. Water/gatorade stop almost every mile, beautiful trees, parks and beach. Everything well marked and friendly people waving and cheering us on. Nice medal at finish. Would have liked to see sponsors or some tables to walk around. Especially more then half of us were from out of the area/state. There were 2 vendors who were selling sunglasses and clothing, very pricey. The food was ok. My issue was there was a line for half marathoners and one for 5kers, which my spouse did. I have never seen this at a race before ever. I got a container to fill with fruit, chik filet, cheese stick and choc.milk. My souse got some chips an orange and a cracker. There were many family members not understanding and upset about separate lines and not getting the same. Then you could only go once., which once was minimal. I mean, if we paid for a VIP line that would be understandable. Definitely didn’t like the separation, we ended up leaving and celebrating somewhere else. I liked everything else about this race but this food issue at the end. State #8 for me so it counts!!

This was my Wisconsin race with my bestie, we do 4 states a year. We knew it would be small because we researched it. All the communication is excellent especially if your not from the area. They knew what they were doing with setup, production, end of event. The medal is outstanding and I believe my largest one so far. Being from Florida, there are some hills, steep, lol. Wish there was an expo of some sort or at least some info on the sponsors or the area, it was a shirt and bib, disappointing. Even after the race, there was merchandise for sale that’s it, no other vendors or activities. The beer tent was closed off which thought was odd, never been to a race where it was separated from the rest of the area. It was kind of awkward, fenced off, hurry drink and leave. There were a few choices of snacks after the half but nothing that most of us carry or bring anyway. I like swag, vendors, info about the area etc esp. when visiting. This did not stop me from loving the race! The people were incredible, every worker, volunteer, police officer, spectator was amazing, it really meant a lot!!

This race is at a local HS to raise $ for the Cross Country team. It is very well organized, perfect chip timing, great food and awards after. Easy to park at, great communication.

Didn’t expect it to be 37 degrees with a wind chill lower, but we survibed! Great small city, very quiet. Picked this race for our Illinois state and so glad we did! Being from Florida, nit used to the hills, but the beauty was amazing. Great race communication, discount hotels. Expo was great I thought, lots vendors, very organized, everyone was in a good mood happy. Started on time, and the immense amount of support from the city if Springfield and the locals was incredible. It was better then a Rock N Roll Race, they were everywhere supporting the runners start to finish. Super nice long sleeve shirts, kick ass medals, lots of snacks at the end. They had these foil wrap warmers at the finish line, suppossedly you put them around you and it keeps you warm, well I wanted to fit in, so I used it and it worked, lol. The brewery after gave us a free beer which was nice. Next time I would tale a Baileys and hot chocolate, haha. We shopped at local bookstores and gift shops all within walking distance after the race. The race bag had a couple little things in it, nothing crazy. They did have a table selling ALL past race shirts for $2 and hats. So we left with a bag full!

Starting at 6:30am in Florida was awesome to begin a half. Very well organized, clear instructions before the race and raceday. Many volunteers helping with directional support. Lots of restrooms, water/gatorade stations every two miles. The beer was great at the end! Wish some more food and a finisher medal would have been nice. Very pretty running around the new solar development and lakes, always something to look at. Would do it again!

There are a few hills that you run several times, pavement and gravel on a trail. Packet pickup night before, long wait, but they were finishing up a prior race. Started a little late, but lots water, gatorade stops, cheering along the way. Not crowded so nice not always trying to pass people or other way around. Wish more goodies from sponsors. Would definetely do this one again for the location