Martin Smith's Staging Area

The Run For Home Half is a well-run local race. The course was well staffed with enthusiastic volunteers throughout the route. Local law-enforcement took great care to keep runners safe. The course winds through a quaint American Pastoral setting, past lovely homes and through a nice community park. Finish line is set on the track in the Woody Hayes stadium.

The Mount Rainier Half Marathon seems undersold in terms of course difficulty. There are a couple of tough climbs. But that’s not what makes the course difficult.

Essentially miles 2-7 represent a difficult trail run with large rocks dispersed along the route. These are toe-biting, ankle turning rocks the width and height of medium-sized gnomes waiting to knock you off course. Saw a couple of experienced runners take a fall as the rock-lined trail narrowed in spots.

Following Mile 7, a hard-packed, tree-lined dirt logging road carries you downhill and through beautiful countryside. Miles 9-13 are on paved roads, with miles 10-12 through a beautiful tree-lined country road.

Kudos to Vacation Races as they consistently offer a well-organized event. This was my fifth VR event. Love the finisher medals!

It bears repeating that they undersold the difficulty of this course given the granite land mines along the route. My only other constructive criticism would be to offer more Race merchandise shirts in 100% cotton.

After five VR events, the quality of finisher shirts still seems cheap. They run a good show and it’s worth checking a VR race out, but order your shirt one or two sizes larger.

Amazing race. How sweet the sound of the runners hooting and hollering, the cool weather then the cold weather. The snow flurries then the sleet. The rain. And thankfully the enthusiasm at the finish line.

Zion Half Marathon is one of the best Vacation Races has to offer in its menu of running adventures. It’s as perfect a setting as it gets.

Event was well organized. Best race medals! VR could really step up their game in terms of the materials used in finisher shirts. Snack box at the end of the race is decent with opportunities for improvement. Test out powdered donuts and see how that goes over with hungry runners. It’ll pair well with the chocolate milk at the finish line!

Good job, Vacation Races. Excelsior!

Don’t be afraid of the hills. Steady pace early on. You’ll need the energy coming home. Do a Run-Walk or Walk-Run or whatever it takes to run this race. Well worth the challenge.

N/A this race is no longer- it was fun but for some reason Savannah didn’t want it anymore gggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhddddddfffffcccccffffrtggbhjjjhfffhhuuhjjhfsrhb