Tricia Lane's Staging Area

I was looking for a flat, fast course in early spring and this race delivered!

Packet pickup was small and easy. Nothing fancy but it got the job done. Tshirt is long sleeve, tech, nice.

It’s a point to point course (I stayed at the host hotel so it was easy to take the shuttle from the hotel to the start). We were able to sit on the warm buses until 15 minutes before the race start, which was really nice. Newport News Park, which has bathrooms — no port o potties! Because the race was fairly small – 400 marathoners – the lines were short. Gear check was near the start line and very easy.

Temperature on race day was PERFECT – 29 at the start and low 40s at the finish, very minimal wind.

The race is point to point and south. The beginning is tree lined and very pretty. Some of the course is along a commercial road, which isn’t the best but it’s not forever. The race also goes through some neighborhoods, a museum, and along some paved trails. The mile markers are permanent street signs. It’s a fairly flat course – I think around 250 feet of elevation over 26.2 miles. The end is a long straightaway until you make a right turn and see the finish.

There weren’t tons of spectators but the ones that were out were loud and enthusiastic. The students were especially great, as were the guys in the animal onesies offering beer (I didn’t partake but it made me smile).

Water and Gatorade were very two miles and the volunteers were AWESOME.

I ran a 6 minute PR and a Boston qualifier time by almost 7 minutes.

Highly recommend for a fast course with great logistics!