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@troll2069

Chandler, AZ Raving since 2014 50 States hopeful/finisher, 100 Half Marathons Club https://trolltravels.blogspot.com/ Active 1 day, 11 hours ago

About Me

  • Running club(s):

    Fifty State Half Marathon Club, 100 Half Marathon Club

  • Rave race:
  • Race that's calling my name:

    Heilbronner Trollinger Marathon (Germany)

  • I run because:

    the challenge of the 50 State goal and I like medals

My Races

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

50 States Map
image/svg+xml FL TX NM AZ AK CA NV UT CO OR WA ID HI OK MT WY ND SD NE KS MN IA MO AR LA MS AL GA SC IL WI MI IN OH TN KY NC WV VA PA NY ME VT NH RI CT NJ DE MD MA DC

Half Marathon

Marathon

Ultramarathon

(Marathon or Ultra) + Half

Marathon + Ultra

Other

Future Races

Personal Bests (6)

Race Distance Location Date Result
Half Marathon Buckeye, AZ 2012 2:32:03
10K Scottsdale, AZ 2012 1:03:53
8K Apache Junction, AZ 2011 55:53
4.7 Miler Arkville, NY 2010 1:14:53
4.2 Miler Tempe, AZ 2011 46:11
5K Goodyear, AZ 2012 28:50

Future Races (123)

Race Distance Location Date Paid
4.7 Miler Arkville, NY Aug 17, 2024
5K Key West, FL Jan 19, 2025
Half Marathon Key West, FL Jan 19, 2025
10K Key West, FL Jan 19, 2025
Half Marathon Mesa, AZ Feb 8, 2025
Half Marathon Apache Junction, AZ Feb 16, 2025
Half Marathon Peoria, AZ 2025
Half Marathon Wickenburg, AZ 2025
Half Marathon Guaymas, Mexico 2025
Half Marathon San Diego, CA 2025
Half Marathon Peoria, AZ 2025
Half Marathon Scottsdale, AZ 2025
Half Marathon New York, NY 2025
Half Marathon Tempe, AZ 2025
Half Marathon Philadelphia, PA 2025
Half Marathon Stillwater, MN 2025
Half Marathon Glendale, AZ 2025
Half Marathon Flagstaff, AZ 2026
Half Marathon Chandler, AZ 2026
Half Marathon Wells, ME 2026
Half Marathon Rye, NH 2026
Half Marathon Gilbert, AZ 2026
Half Marathon Cottonwood, AZ 2026
Half Marathon Newark, DE 2026
Half Marathon Middleburg, VA 2026
Half Marathon Cameron, AZ 2026
Half Marathon Somerton, AZ 2026
Half Marathon Jekyll Island, GA 2026
Half Marathon Hilton Head Island, SC 2026
Half Marathon Anchorage, AK 2026
Half Marathon Wickenburg, AZ 2026
Half Marathon Tempe, AZ 2027
Half Marathon Buckeye, AZ 2027
Half Marathon Moodus, CT 2027
Half Marathon Apache Junction, AZ 2027
Half Marathon Wickenburg, AZ 2027
Half Marathon Atlantic City, NJ 2027
Half Marathon Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ 2027
Half Marathon Deadwood, SD 2027
Half Marathon 2027
Half Marathon Page, AZ 2027
Half Marathon Potomac, MD 2027
Half Marathon North Kingstown, RI 2027
Half Marathon Baltimore, MD 2028
Half Marathon Wilmington, NC 2028
Half Marathon Fargo, ND 2028
Half Marathon Gulf Shores, AL 2028
Half Marathon London, OH 2028
Half Marathon Kailua-Kona, HI TBD
Half Marathon Union Glacier Blue-Ice Runway SCGC, Antarctica TBD
Half Marathon Chateauguay, Canada TBD
Half Marathon Banff, Canada TBD
Half Marathon Lubec, ME TBD
Half Marathon Bemidji, MN TBD
Half Marathon Bemidji, MN TBD
Half Marathon New Orleans, LA TBD
Half Marathon Bird In Hand, PA TBD
Half Marathon Berea, KY TBD
Half Marathon Cancun, Mexico TBD
Half Marathon Falmouth, MA TBD
Half Marathon Green Bay, WI TBD
Half Marathon Chandler, AZ TBD
Half Marathon Yonkers, NY TBD
Half Marathon Surprise, AZ TBD
Half Marathon Detroit, MI TBD
Half Marathon Show Low, AZ TBD
Half Marathon Weston, WV TBD
Half Marathon Ft. Lauderdale, FL TBD
Half Marathon New Holland, PA TBD
Half Marathon Regina, Canada TBD
Half Marathon Townsend, TN TBD
Half Marathon Havana, Cuba TBD
Half Marathon Heilbronn, Germany TBD
Half Marathon Rhinelander, WI TBD
Half Marathon Natchez, MS TBD
Half Marathon St. John's, Canada TBD
Half Marathon Liberty, MO TBD
Half Marathon Cameron, AZ TBD
Half Marathon Long Beach, CA TBD
Half Marathon Louisville, KY TBD
Half Marathon Prescott Valley, AZ TBD
Half Marathon Winnipeg, Canada TBD
Half Marathon Lahaina, HI TBD
Half Marathon Guaymas, Mexico TBD
Half Marathon Bletchley, United Kingdom TBD
Half Marathon Greenville, MS TBD
Half Marathon Napa, CA TBD
Half Marathon Allen, TX TBD
Half Marathon Allen, TX TBD
Half Marathon Niagara Falls, Canada TBD
Half Marathon Sequim, WA TBD
Half Marathon Ocean City, NJ TBD
Half Marathon Lynchburg, TN TBD
Half Marathon Indianapolis, IN TBD
Half Marathon Philadelphia, PA TBD
Half Marathon Phoenix, AZ TBD
Half Marathon Phoenix, AZ TBD
Half Marathon Phoenix, AZ TBD
Half Marathon Munising, MI TBD
Half Marathon Pittsburgh, PA TBD
Half Marathon Charlottetown, Canada TBD
120 Mile Relay Bruceton Mills, WV TBD
Half Marathon Raleigh, NC TBD
Half Marathon Toluca de Lerdo, Mexico TBD
Half Marathon Madrid, Spain TBD
Half Marathon Medellin, Colombia TBD
Half Marathon Oaxaca, Mexico TBD
Half Marathon Burnaby, Canada TBD
Half Marathon Crazy Horse, SD TBD
Half Marathon Garapan, Northern Mariana Islands TBD
Half Marathon TBD
Half Marathon Halifax, Canada TBD
Half Marathon Oak Ridge, TN TBD
Half Marathon New Smyrna Beach, FL TBD
Half Marathon Waco, TX TBD
Half Marathon Sleepy Hollow, NY TBD
Half Marathon Gibsons, Canada TBD
Half Marathon King George Island, Antarctica TBD
Half Marathon Newport Beach, CA TBD
Half Marathon Moc Chau, Vietnam TBD
Half Marathon Bath, NY TBD
Half Marathon Yellowknife, Canada TBD
Half Marathon Whitehorse, Canada TBD

Past Races (95)

Race Distance Location Date Result My Raves My Performance
Half Marathon Teec Nos Pos, AZ Dec 1, 2022
Half Marathon Madison, WI Nov 13, 2022 3:36:25
Half Marathon Chandler, AZ Oct 23, 2022 3:25:48
Half Marathon Tucson, AZ Oct 16, 2022 3:22:25
Half Marathon Page, AZ Oct 8, 2022 3:34:42
5K Phoenix, AZ Sep 17, 2022 43:56
Half Marathon Corbin, KY Nov 13, 2021 3:25:21
Half Marathon Peoria, AZ Oct 31, 2021 3:22:52
Half Marathon Chandler, AZ Oct 24, 2021 3:16:47
Half Marathon Des Moines, IA Oct 17, 2021 3:35:04
Half Marathon Kansas City, MO Oct 16, 2021 3:27:30
Half Marathon Rachel, NV Aug 22, 2021 3:48:33
Half Marathon Milford Township, MI Jul 25, 2021 3:55:51
Half Marathon Indianapolis, IN Jul 24, 2021 3:23:35
Half Marathon Laketown, UT Jun 12, 2021 3:47:14
Half Marathon Cokeville, WY Jun 11, 2021 3:31:57
Half Marathon St Charles, ID Jun 10, 2021 3:40:17
Half Marathon Canton, OH May 1, 2021 3:47:06
5K Phoenix, AZ Apr 17, 2021 43:39
Half Marathon Peoria, AZ Apr 3, 2021 3:36:20
Half Marathon Lake Havasu City, AZ Mar 27, 2021 3:37:25
Half Marathon Glendale, AZ Mar 14, 2020 3:26:11
Half Marathon Jackson, MS Feb 29, 2020 3:42:22
Half Marathon Little Rock, AR Feb 29, 2020 3:33:44
Half Marathon Apache Junction, AZ Feb 16, 2020 3:27:00
Half Marathon Sedona, AZ Feb 1, 2020 3:44:06
Half Marathon Phoenix, AZ Jan 19, 2020 3:35:15
Half Marathon Buckeye, AZ Jan 4, 2020 3:25:14
5K Gilbert, AZ Dec 29, 2019 36:18
5K Gilbert, AZ Dec 7, 2019 40:07
5K Gilbert, AZ Nov 30, 2019 41:46
5K Phoenix, AZ Nov 16, 2019 44:21
1st Half Marathon South Williamson, KY Jun 9, 2018 4:01:07
Half Marathon Tempe, AZ May 19, 2018
Half Marathon Brighton, CO Apr 21, 2018 4:07:49
Half Marathon Las Vegas, NV Mar 31, 2018 3:09:59
Half Marathon Las Cruces, NM Oct 29, 2017 3:35:22
Half Marathon Bucyrus, KS May 13, 2017 3:37:02
Half Marathon Los Angeles, CA Apr 8, 2017 3:10:02
Half Marathon San Diego, CA Feb 11, 2017 3:27:57
Half Marathon Coolidge, AZ Feb 4, 2017 3:25:56
Half Marathon Somerton, AZ Jan 28, 2017 3:29:16
5K Tempe, AZ Dec 18, 2016 45:56
Half Marathon Peoria, AZ Oct 30, 2016 3:18:00
Half Marathon Los Angeles, CA Apr 9, 2016 3:29:44
Half Marathon Huntington, WV Nov 1, 2015 3:25:45
Half Marathon Welches, OR Aug 1, 2015 3:28:00
Half Marathon West Yellowstone, MT Jun 13, 2015 3:25:56
Half Marathon Vernal, UT May 9, 2015 3:05:23
Half Marathon Los Angeles, CA Apr 11, 2015 3:26:53
Half Marathon Chattanooga, TN Mar 21, 2015 4:19:53
Half Marathon Chicago, IL Jan 24, 2015 3:21:31
Half Marathon Peoria, AZ Nov 2, 2014 3:18:00
Half Marathon Las Vegas, NV Apr 19, 2014 3:11:50
Half Marathon Los Angeles, CA 2014 2:58:26
Half Marathon Los Angeles, CA 2013 2:42:44
Half Marathon San Diego, CA 2013 2:48:08
Half Marathon New Orleans, LA 2013 2:52:59
Half Marathon Tempe, AZ 2013 2:59:59
Half Marathon Humble, TX Dec 22, 2012 3:57:58
Half Marathon Humble, TX Dec 21, 2012 3:47:06
Half Marathon Los Angeles, CA 2012 2:42:43
Half Marathon Las Vegas, NV 2012 3:05:36
5K Phoenix, AZ 2012 30:16
5K Goodyear, AZ 2012 28:50
10K Scottsdale, AZ 2012 1:03:53
Half Marathon Tempe, AZ 2012 2:34:10
10K Phoenix, AZ 2012 1:04:43
5K Phoenix, AZ 2012 33:18
Half Marathon Buckeye, AZ 2012 2:32:03
10K Phoenix, AZ 2011 1:06:49
Half Marathon Tempe, AZ 2011 2:50:54
5K Phoenix, AZ 2011 33:27
5K Phoenix, AZ 2011 35:26
8K Apache Junction, AZ 2011 55:53
4.2 Miler Tempe, AZ 2011 46:11
10K Tempe, AZ 2011 1:13:09
5K Tempe, AZ Mar 20, 2010 42:36
Half Marathon Las Vegas, NV 2010 2:43:14
Half Marathon Tempe, AZ 2010 3:14:11
10K Phoenix, AZ 2010 1:14:27
5K Phoenix, AZ 2010 41:29
4.2 Miler Tempe, AZ 2010 54:33
4.7 Miler Arkville, NY 2010 1:14:53
Half Marathon Tempe, AZ 2009 3:30:08
5K Tempe, AZ 2009 41:48
Half Marathon Scottsdale, AZ 2008 3:08:23
Half Marathon Tempe, AZ 2008 3:17:38
4.7 Miler Arkville, NY 2008 1:25:26
Half Marathon Salem, MA Sep 29, 2007 3:13:11
4.7 Miler Arkville, NY 2007 1:27:45
10K Phoenix, AZ 2007 1:19:46
5K Phoenix, AZ 2007 38:58
5K Goodyear, AZ 2007 38:00
5K Waterbury, VT 2007 40:43

My Raves

I picked this run because it was in Madison and a former high school friend of mine owns a food tour company called Madison Eats. Unfortunately, she was not in … MORE

I picked this run because it was in Madison and a former high school friend of mine owns a food tour company called Madison Eats. Unfortunately, she was not in town this weekend and while the weather was 70 on Wednesday, it was 29 at the start of the run on Sunday.

The race starts and ends at the state capitol building, and the finish line comes down a street that frames the Capitol well in the background. Most of the course was flat, but there were a few hills. One that was a bit of a difficult one through some houses near the lake, and one closer to the finish. Other than those it was relatively easy difficulty level. There were plenty of aid stations along the way with water, Gatorade, and Guy. The thing that stood out the most was the crowd support. The town really came out to support and cheer on the runners. The final mile had streets lined with cheering people and it was a great experience. Even throughout the course there were people watching and cheering. The course ran through communities and those living there were outside to cheer us on. Really one of the best runs with a supportive crowd. Great community, some glimpses of water, and I think even the governor’s house. The t-shirt seemed to be larger and the goodie bag had a lot of discounts and advertisements for local businesses. The medal was nice as well. I would come back to Madison, although I would prefer summer.

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This was the second running of the Chandler AZ48 half marathon. Instead of running through the streets of Chandler, it was changed to only include a small 2 mile run … MORE

This was the second running of the Chandler AZ48 half marathon. Instead of running through the streets of Chandler, it was changed to only include a small 2 mile run through town. It began and finished in the area of downtown Chandler, but the majority of the run took place on the canals. It was better in that you didn’t have to worry about traffic, and it was likely better for the police who only had to delay traffic at the cross points instead of closing down the city streets for hours. The course time read that it was extended by 15 minutes, but most everyone was finished prior to that. It is still a good run, but the canal isn’t that scenic. I run them for training and there are ducks to see, and in some spots the water is low and clear enough to see fish, but that’s it. One side of the canal is asphalt and smooth, but that’s mainly for bikes and not what we ran on. The running side can be bumpy but it’s relatively in good condition. The big draw for this half for me is that it is about a mile from my house and also the medal. The medal this year was larger than last and the top featured a nice sun catcher design. I would rank it as the best looking medal in the state of Arizona.

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This is the first time I ran the Wicked half in Tucson. I have completed the Phoenix one before. Similar to that one, this was at a community park that … MORE

This is the first time I ran the Wicked half in Tucson. I have completed the Phoenix one before. Similar to that one, this was at a community park that had a nice walking/bike path that ran alongside a river for a good part of the run. The course was flat and descent. There are some people wearing costumes, so that’s fun. This year I didn’t wear a costume. I would pick either the Tucson or the Phoenix, but not both. I have signed up for both, but the Phoenix one is obviously a different course, but it is the same shirt and medal. I don’t think I need two, so I likely won’t show up to the Phoenix one. But the medals are cool, so do one of them for sure.

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The course scenery is the top attraction to this run. The rocks and the views of the lake are awesome, and you get to enjoy them nearly the entire run. … MORE

The course scenery is the top attraction to this run. The rocks and the views of the lake are awesome, and you get to enjoy them nearly the entire run. The elevation is higher in that part of the state compared to where I live in Phoenix, but it didn’t have an impact. Most of the run is on asphalt, but there is a 1.5 – 2 mile portion that follows the Lake Powell trail. That portion is rock and soft sand along a narrow path. I felt I ran well the first 5-6 miles of the run, but I slowed down along the path so it would be easier for people to pass and I didn’t want to lose my footing. After that, it was difficult to get back up to speed. Most of the course was fairly flat, but there were a couple of hills mixed in toward the second half. The one drawback for me was at the end waiting for the shuttle buses. When I finished there wasn’t a bus there, but they said 3 were coming. It took about 20 minutes or so for the first bus to arrive, and it filled up quickly. The second bus did arrive around 10 minutes later. I was hoping to get back to the hotel with time to shower before driving home, but it took just a little longer than I had. It was cool to start in Arizona and finish in Utah, although I did not see any Utah sign, and it was just the final maybe half mile. All in all it was nice run, and one I would recommend.

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I really enjoyed not only the race by the town of Corbin, KY. It exceeded my expectations. There was a large group of 50 Staters there, which made it even … MORE

I really enjoyed not only the race by the town of Corbin, KY. It exceeded my expectations. There was a large group of 50 Staters there, which made it even more enjoyable. A knew a couple of them, but most were new. Many wore costumes which made it even more of a fun feel. It was a little chilly on race morning but warmed up to a comfortable running temperature. The race starts just down from the train depot and wound its way through most of the town. There was excellent course support from volunteers and high school students along the route. Almost every turn had at least one person there to guide you on the right path. There was one tough hill around the middle school, but overall it was the infamous rolling hills. At the midpoint the course passes the starting line and turns out toward another part of town. I was a little confused there and out through mile 7. It was a long straight road so there weren’t people standing there and I thought I was lost until I finally reached the mile 7 sign. A lot of short turns around various streets in down, but then the final 2 miles was right through the downtown.
The swag was great – a pull over ¼ zipped shirt, a lot of coupons and small items from local shops, and the medal was wonderful. The train depot was nice with trains behind it, Sanders park right across from the finish line has a statue of the Colonel plus placards about the history, and nice murals across the street. Just down the road a short drive is the KFC restaurant and a museum (temporarily closed). A local resident pointed me to a white house on the corner that she said was not advertised well, but it was the Colonel’s house – and it had a mannequin of him standing in the front window.
If you need to complete a race in Kentucky, this is a fun one and a great small town to support.

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This is the first time I have ran the half marathon under this name, although two show on my race history. It used to be called something else, then changed … MORE

This is the first time I have ran the half marathon under this name, although two show on my race history. It used to be called something else, then changed later to Wicked, but it is the same course. It is also the same course as the Hippity Hop half marathon I ran earlier this year. The races from Starting Line are similar, and Rio Vista park is a common site for their races. The production is always good and their medals are nice. I opted out of the t-shirt this time and saved $5 because I have too many t-shirts. The finish on the course was different this time, but overall it was the same route. In April I struggled with the already high Phoenix temperatures, but now at Halloween it was excellent. The course is flat and easy, following paved running trails around a park. I mark the scenery low because while it is a park it is mostly dry and dead now. At one point there was water in the river bed, but now its nothing to look at. The most challenging aspect of running at this park is the course is always open and there are dozens of bicycles to be aware of. I wouldn’t recommend listening to music through headphones because the bikes will sneak up on you. I was able to finish it this time in a better time than April.

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I signed up for this run last year but due to covid it was canceled. I was excited to do it because the start is about 1 mile from my … MORE

I signed up for this run last year but due to covid it was canceled. I was excited to do it because the start is about 1 mile from my house. Another reason is this time of year is perfect weather in Arizona. And the third reason is the metal is large and impressive. The course was good running along city streets, not very scenic, but starting and finishing in downtown Chandler was great. Downtown Chandler has a lot of local restaurants and breweries right near the starting line so there’s plenty to do when you finish. Last week I ran in Kansas City where it was cold but I finished just under three and a half hours and I was happy because it had been 2 years since I finished under three and a half hours. Des Moines did not have a three and a half hour Pacer so I fell behind by about 7 minutes. Chandler also did not have pacers after 3 hours that I saw so I decided to stay with the 3-hour pace and see what happens most of my future runs have a 3:30 cut off so I needed to get some consistency below 3:30. The Pacer was a speed Walker and I was able to walk a little bit and then jog to keep up for the first 5 miles, then he left me in the desk. But it still was able to keep up a better than normal pace and although he was long gone when I finished, I managed to finish 11 minutes faster than last week. Coming to the finish line I decided to run a little bit and then increase speed across the finish line. I noticed that the watch was sending emergency notification to my contacts. I thought I did something wrong but as it turns out the watch works and my heart rate was 193 which apparently was outside of my zone that I set up and two minutes later my daughter called to see if I was okay. I felt fine actually so no problems there but I guess it’s good to know that the watch works. All in all it was a pretty decent run and I hope that it continues annually since it is so close and I do like to support the town that I live in. It was also nice to see a few 50 state members in attendance. If you need Arizona and your nearing the end of the 50 states, this would be a great one for number 48. The metal says AZ 48 since Arizona is the 48th state admitted into the country. Come enjoy the Arizona “fall” weather, interesting shops, excellent restaurants, and awesome breweries.

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I enjoyed this race and would easily put it in my top 10 so far. The course was mostly flat and I enjoyed the start/finish. Where the race ended had … MORE

I enjoyed this race and would easily put it in my top 10 so far. The course was mostly flat and I enjoyed the start/finish. Where the race ended had plenty of businesses to enjoy afterward to rest a bit after finishing. When I lined up I saw a Pho restaurant and multiple places to get a post-race beer. I thought about the Pho the entire race, and as soon as I crossed, that’s where I went. I didn’t get the beer. The race was only about 5 miles total through the town. The rest was along the river, through an arboretum around a lake, then around another lake. They had pacers through 3:00, and I finished about five minutes slower than the hillier course the day before. I felt fine, but because there wasn’t a pacer at 3:30 I lollygagged too much and finished slower. Although it was chilly at the beginning, I felt good mid-way and at the end actually a little warm. The 1/4 pullover in the swag bag was excellent and I, like many people, wore it during the run. There was a lot of people cheering along the way, there was a lot more water stations and bathroom stops along the way, and I liked the live music scattered throughout the course. The guys rapping around mile 9 were excellent. It was a great atmosphere and a fun day. There was an extra medal for completing the I35 Challenge. Even if you don’t tackle the challenge, I would highly recommend this race if you need Iowa.

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The run was well organized and it was nice to run in some of the historical parts of town. There were more hills than I expected, especially 5-7 and 9-11, … MORE

The run was well organized and it was nice to run in some of the historical parts of town. There were more hills than I expected, especially 5-7 and 9-11, and coming from Phoenix the start was chillier than I would have liked (although most people around me said it was perfect weather). By the end it felt nice. The packet pickup was well organized and had a nice expo with it. I am not sure if the posted finish time is gun time or chip time. The official time is a little more than five minutes longer than what my Garmin said (posted time on review is the office posted time). I was pleased with the Garmin time as it was better than most of my runs within the past couple of years. That was mainly due to them having a 3:30 pacer, and I finished with him. I would have preferred a couple of extra bathroom stops. I only needed one, but there wasn’t one around when I wanted it.
Update: I contacted the race director and after reviewing the footage by time was updated. I appreciate the time it took to look into it.

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I finally was able to check this race off my list. Over the years I have registered for this event four times, but finally this year I was able to … MORE

I finally was able to check this race off my list. Over the years I have registered for this event four times, but finally this year I was able to attend and finish. I work at a university and this race is normally right up against the start of the academic year, but this year the start was moved back two weeks, which allowed me to actually run it. As a writer of cryptozoology and paranormal adventure books, I have been wanting to complete it for several years.

This was also my first time running a race that started at midnight. Figuring out when to eat and sleep was challenging. I only was able to sleep 2 hours prior to going to the hotel to pick up the packet and catch the bus from Las Vegas to Rachel. It is about a two hour ride to the start. After the run I was able to catch about an hour of sleep on the return to Vegas. We stopped at the black mailbox outside if the Area 51 grounds to do off the full marathon and 51k runners. The half marathon started seven miles up the road.

After about ten minutes your eyes get used to the dark and you can see everything. The road is open, but not many cars come by. The headlamp and the reflective vests are a must, more for the drivers then for you. It is amazing how much light there is in the open desert under the full moon. While running I saw my shadow, which is unusual at night. I didn’t see any wild cows and unfortunately no aliens. The run was very peaceful along the extraterrestrial highway. Three temperature were mid-60s; cool, but not chilly. The course is a straight line to the Little a’le in for half marathoners. For the longer distances, runners go three miles past the inn before turning back and ending there. Pancakes, coffee, outage juice, and bananas were waiting there for us. I took my time on running because I knew I wouldn’t make the bus that left for a return at 3:30 am and I would have to wait until the 5:00 bus. Very first course with the exception of one hill from about mile 4.5-6, but I didn’t feel it was too difficult.

The medal was great. I wish I would have stuck it around the neck of the alien at the finish line, but I wasn’t thinking of it at the time. I would recommend this run just for the experience of running at midnight in the neighborhood of Area 51.

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This run was easily in the top five of most scenic races for me; perhaps even first. The night before the area had heavy rain and a tornado that touched … MORE

This run was easily in the top five of most scenic races for me; perhaps even first. The night before the area had heavy rain and a tornado that touched down just a few miles away. I knew the course ran through the woods, and I was expected muddy trails and wind damage following the storms. Therefore I decided to just take it slow and see what happened. As it turned out the course was almost completely on a paved bike path through the rooms. An early start included a bit of fog, cooler temperatures, and several bird encounters (turkeys, cranes, geese, ducks, and swans). There were also several frogs that could be heard in the surrounding ponds.

The course was easy and nearly flat with the exception of a few slight inclines, especially on the back of the lake. None were large enough to call a hill. We began at the start, ran two and a half miles out, then turned around and went back to the start before completing one loop around the lake. The trees were and grasses were green the wildlife prowling about, and people in boats enjoying the lake (fishing, swan boats, and paddle boats). As the morning progressed, the temperature quickly increased. By the end it was very warm. They offered a 5K, 10K, half, full, and a 50K. They allowed early starts so you could start when you wanted and there were always people around on the course.

I highly recommend this course because it was well organized, excellent communication, and the amazing scenery. The shirt, medal and the coaster (with bottle opener) was very nice as well.

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What a hot and humid day in Indy! The course was unsettled until just a few days prior to the event due to heavy construction and road closures in downtown … MORE

What a hot and humid day in Indy! The course was unsettled until just a few days prior to the event due to heavy construction and road closures in downtown Indianapolis. The event took place in a city park and ran past the NCAA building, a museum, the zoo, and along the river. There were some excellent views of the city along the river, and the backside of course was more densely wooded, which was a nice relief from the temperatures. The course itself was not difficulty – flat and what would have been a fast run. However, the humidity really slowed me down after mile two and I struggled much of the run. From what I heard the course has changed over the years, but I liked the layout they had this year. The half marathon was two loops around the park and easy to navigate. The medal was impressive in that it was large and lit up in a flashing series of lights.

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The entire series of races was well organized and had good support. The aid stations had water and snacks about every 1.5 miles. Good after-race snacks, drinks, and music. Utah … MORE

The entire series of races was well organized and had good support. The aid stations had water and snacks about every 1.5 miles. Good after-race snacks, drinks, and music.

Utah started out in the mid 40’s but ended in the 70’s. They said it was the hilliest of the courses. There was one monster hill that was very challenging and another big one toward the end before the turn around, but I felt the Idaho course was hillier overall. The Utah course went from street to trail, with some large loose rocks on the trail portion. After the run they had soda, chips, water, and pizza. This is the best race to get down and spend time along the lake after the run. Like prior review recommendations we stopped for the raspberry shakes at LeBeau’s – there are three other places right there that also have raspberry shakes, but we tried LeBeau’s and it was a great after-race treat.

I really enjoyed the race production and organization. The participants were all very friendly and seemed to have a good time. This was the first time I stayed with others during a race. Five of us completed all three days and getting to know them and spend time with them made the weekend an even better experience.

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The entire series of races was well organized and had good support. The aid stations had water and snacks about every 1.5 miles. Good after-race snacks, drinks, and music. Wyoming … MORE

The entire series of races was well organized and had good support. The aid stations had water and snacks about every 1.5 miles. Good after-race snacks, drinks, and music.

Wyoming was my best result of the three. This course was not along the lake but was a nice scenic out and back run on a two-lane road through green valleys. We passed cows, horses, and creeks along the course. The challenge with this run was it started out at 28 degrees before warming up into the 50’s. This course I felt was flat and the “gentle rolling hills” were truly gentle and nothing difficult. We did not encounter any of the legendary mosquitos mentioned in prior reviews – but we did buy bug spray just in case. Maybe the 28-degree weather scared them off?

I really enjoyed the race production and organization. The participants were all very friendly and seemed to have a good time. This was the first time I stayed with others during a race. Five of us completed all three days and getting to know them and spend time with them made the weekend an even better experience.

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The entire series of races was well organized and had good support. The aid stations had water and snacks about every 1.5 miles. Good after-race snacks, drinks, and music. The … MORE

The entire series of races was well organized and had good support. The aid stations had water and snacks about every 1.5 miles. Good after-race snacks, drinks, and music.

The Idaho half marathon had some hills that were unexpectedly high, and the wind was strong on much of the course. Beautiful view of the lake on the out and back course. The elevation was over 6000 feet, but it didn’t seem to bother me.

I really enjoyed the race production and organization. The participants were all very friendly and seemed to have a good time. This was the first time I stayed with others during a race. Five of us completed all three days and getting to know them and spend time with them made the weekend an even better experience.

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I wasn't expecting Canton to be so hilly, and after the temperature being below 40 and rainy a couple days earlier, I wasnt expecting mid 70s and sunny. The course … MORE

I wasn’t expecting Canton to be so hilly, and after the temperature being below 40 and rainy a couple days earlier, I wasnt expecting mid 70s and sunny. The course started and ended on the football field, which was excellent. From there it zig zagged in and around and throughout the local neighborhood. There were some downhills, but it was rolling throughout the whole way. Bring in the neighborhood, it wasn’t really scenic – but the pro side to that was there were a lot of people along the way. Some of them hand their own aid stations with water, snacks, Coke, and even beer. It was great to see the people asking the course cheering us on. The finish on the field would have been a highlight and I was hoping to run, but my breathing was poor most of the way and I struggled with the heat and the late 10 am start due to Covid protocols. But it was a live race, and the hall of fame the same weekend the nfl draft was in Cleveland, and the swag was awesome. A shirt, a blanket, and the finished medal was a giant Super bowl ring. Easily the best medal I’ve received to date.

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Ive lived in Phoenix 17 years and never knew this park was here. Like many other parks around town the canal runs through it, but unlike others there are waterfalls. … MORE

Ive lived in Phoenix 17 years and never knew this park was here. Like many other parks around town the canal runs through it, but unlike others there are waterfalls. It was cool walking around prior to the start and seeing photos from 1900 of people picnicking at the waterfall. The run itself is very smooth. An easy run along the packed dirt side off the canal, turn at the bridge, and come back on the paved side. Very flat and fairly easy. The race was well organized and nice swag for a 5K – a silicone bracelet, a chocolate bunny pin, and a nice chocolate bunny medal. Definitely recommended for a smooth 5K if you want an easter-themed race with good awards.

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If you are looking for a relatively flat and easy course, this one might be it. I think many runners would see a finish time around their average or better. … MORE

If you are looking for a relatively flat and easy course, this one might be it. I think many runners would see a finish time around their average or better. Many runners, but not me. Still trying to get back in running shape and this particular weekend was hot early in the morning. The course is a bike trail around a greenspace in town. Not much to look at scenery-wise except the trees and dirt in the middle (although I did have a rabbit dart in front of me). It’s 8.5 miles around the bike path, then turn back for the final less than 5. It is cement running trails with some going under the overpass. The most challenge aspect is dodging the hundreds of bikes that are using the trail while the run is going on. They did an excellent job of distancing runners and the aid stations were stocked with 20oz bottles of water – which made it nice as it was mid 80’s. I drank 4 bottles along the run. My time was overall better through 10 miles, but the last 3 I slowed down significantly due to the hit. If you are already in good running shape and don’t mind the heat this would be a solid run for you.

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In the 17 years I have lived in Arizona, I have only driven through Lake Havasu once. However, I will be back. The running route allows you to run along … MORE

In the 17 years I have lived in Arizona, I have only driven through Lake Havasu once. However, I will be back. The running route allows you to run along the Colorado River for most of the run, as well as across the London Bridge as well as under it. The weather was great and it was a nice small town to visit and explore on foot. The medal was fantastic and we received a shirt and face mask as well. They did a great job of capping the number in the run, spacing everyone out, and setting off in waves. Most of the course is flat – a couple of hills: one at the beginning and another around mile 8.5-9. Otherwise it was smooth. My performance was not good (as usual). I actually felt good through 9 miles and I thought my time was better than it had been in the past few runs – but entering the final 4 miles I ran out of energy. Most of that four miles was around a paved loop running path around a green space. Should be fairly easy, but entering it I anticipated it to be maybe a mile loop. Turned out to be three and a half miles and I think the seemingly endless journey threw me off. I ended up slowly walking the final leg of the run. The good news is I haven’t really ran at all over this past year so hopefully this finish is the worst to come and I can use it as a baseline. For this race I would highly recommend it and I am considering doing it each year. I took my wife and she loved the town. Such a relaxing weekend if you have time. They are going to move it back a little next year due to Lake Havasu being a spring break destination and difficulty getting hotel rooms. Book early.

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This was the first time I have ever attempted two half marathons on the same weekend so I wasn't sure what to expect. I set out planning to be a … MORE

This was the first time I have ever attempted two half marathons on the same weekend so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I set out planning to be a little slower than the day before. I ended up finishing about 10 minutes faster and feeling better after than I did after the first event. The race makes a big production each year with the theme including regular announcements and videos. Not only do the participants get into the theme, but there were many spectators on the course also in theme. Out of all of the half marathons I have completed this may be the best crowd support of all of them. People were lined up on both sides of the finish, aid stations were well staffed, people were along the streets cheering, and even the governor was out cheering people on. Great work by all of the police out there and there were so many photographers I thought it was TMZ.

The course ran along some historical sites along the way as well as the governor’s mansion. There were some nice old houses we passed by. The pre and post race staging area was very impressive. For the first time ever I took advantage of the post-run massage. While I tried to keep my screaming internal, my facial expressions didn’t do a good job. But afterward I felt great. This is truly a race I would repeat as often as I could. The medal alone is worth the trip, but the people supporting the run and the race production itself make it instantly one of my favorites.

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Overall I thought it was descent and would do it again. It was running through the mostly the downtown and some outer areas, and yes there were potholes in the … MORE

Overall I thought it was descent and would do it again. It was running through the mostly the downtown and some outer areas, and yes there were potholes in the street. Nothing really different than any other big town. Running through campus was nice and I did hear the band playing as I approached, but by the time I got to campus they were gone. It would have been nice to see them as we ran by. I enjoyed the Tots & Shots aid station. That gave me a little added boost at that point in the run. As some other reviwers said there were only a couple of bands playing along the course. For me the packet pickup wasn’t bad, once I found the right building. I went into the convention center instead of the planetarium. Once I knew where to go pickup was very easy. I don’t typically stay long at expos anyway – just in to grab the shirt and number, then back out. But I did purchase some stingers and compression socks – which I really liked and they were cheap, but I already managed to lose them after the run. Parking was easy, as the start and finish were the same place and I was able to park just across the street. The medal I also liked. The blue guitar-shaped medal has been a trademark of the run in the past. This year it was a little different, and I really liked it. I would have liked to see the date on the ribbon since it was leap day. There is the museum of art right there and there are so many blues legends and I think having a local artist design a medal each year with a different blues performer would be awesome. They could have artist playing the guitar and make it blue to keep connection to the prior style. There isn’t much the race can do with the course. A large portion of it will be through the city streets and there will always be potholes, especially in older towns. Overall I think it was good. Just a few minor tweaks and it will be a go-to race once again.

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The course was fairly flat throughout. There were a few small hills, but not too difficult. Good organization with many vendors at the race site. The course was well marked … MORE

The course was fairly flat throughout. There were a few small hills, but not too difficult. Good organization with many vendors at the race site. The course was well marked and the support from the aid tables was excellent. Having the packet pick up spread over multiple days, with one closer in town made it a breeze to complete. I was very impressed by the shuttle – I highly recommend parking in the lot and taking the shuttle. The driver got us there and back quickly. I ran this race years ago once time as an 8K. This was the first time I ran the half. Nice photo op with the miner and donkey after the race. Good views of the superstition mountains

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The slogan says if the hills don't take your breathe away, the scenery will. Both are accurate. I live in Phoenix so a weekend trip Sedona is fairly common as … MORE

The slogan says if the hills don’t take your breathe away, the scenery will. Both are accurate. I live in Phoenix so a weekend trip Sedona is fairly common as a nice getaway. I have hiked a few trails, but never attempted to run there. The hills are definitely challenging. The course is out and back so you get to see the scenery twice, but the nice downward hill around mile one returns as a difficult uphill beast at the end. But the course time limit is long enough that you can make it. I ended up walking more than I planned on the way back because the hills zapped what energy I did have. The medal is very nice and currently it is a portion of what will be a larger item once assembled after four years. The course support was excellent with many aid stations that were well staffed and supportive. The police officers along the course were very nice and encouraging as runners passed. Although challenging, I highly recommend this one.

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I have completed this run probably the most of all of my runs. I haven't attempted it for a few years and this time the sponsor is different and the … MORE

I have completed this run probably the most of all of my runs. I haven’t attempted it for a few years and this time the sponsor is different and the course was changed. I didn’t mind the new course because it mostly stays in Tempe and part of Scottsdale, so there isn’t a shuttle as there was in the past. Other than the hills in Papago Park it is a fairly flat course, but the last few miles are mostly downhill. Other than the park and Tempe Town Lake there isn’t much to see along the way. I was hoping to do better than my finish in Buckeye two weeks ago, but I didn’t. It was weird because while running I felt like I was doing well and ahead of pace over the first 8 miles. This course over the years has always given me slightly slower times for some reason. The medal is nice and the crowd support along the finish is always good.

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I've been very lazy for a long time. My last half marathon was June 2018. This is a "local" race for me, even though it's an hour a way. The … MORE

I’ve been very lazy for a long time. My last half marathon was June 2018. This is a “local” race for me, even though it’s an hour a way. The half marathon started and finished at the airport. Lots of vendors there and good pre and post race activities. The run is mostly flat. Slight incline going out, but the back is mostly down hill and pretty solid decline the final 4 miles. It’s from the airport out through the desert and turns around in a subdivision. One lane was blocked but there were cars on the road so be aware. Every station has water and Gatorade. One of the girls when filled up my water bottle. Police had the roads well controlled and turns were well marked. Not very scenic but you should finish in a good time. I had an idea in mind having not ran a half in a long time and I did better than expected. I didn’t buy the shirt but the swag bag was nice – including a cow bell. It was nice seeing some other 50 staters out there.

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Like the others in the series this run begins at a brewery, a small section down a street, and onto the canal. Not much scenery. There was a couple of … MORE

Like the others in the series this run begins at a brewery, a small section down a street, and onto the canal. Not much scenery. There was a couple of cows. The run was good and I ran this one with one of my coworkers. It was nice to see him, but he’s faster than me so we only ran together a short while. The canal was a bit wet in places from ran earlier in the week, but overall not too bad. Flat the whole way. The beer at the end is always helpful.

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The Arizona Brewery series is a good opportunity to get out and train. This was the second event in the series and again ran mostly along the canals. The beginning … MORE

The Arizona Brewery series is a good opportunity to get out and train. This was the second event in the series and again ran mostly along the canals. The beginning and end of the run are through a parking lot so there may be some minimal traffic there, but the rest is up and back on the canal. A good, fun event where there is frozen yogurt samples after the run, a raffle with some additional swag ,and a free beer included. It is a fun atmosphere and a good opportunity to get out and run as well as try some of the great Arizona breweries.

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Good production for the first event in a new series. The registration was easy and the after-run items were nice. Each finisher received a wooden token to exchange for a … MORE

Good production for the first event in a new series. The registration was easy and the after-run items were nice. Each finisher received a wooden token to exchange for a free pint and the choice of a pint glass, bottle opener, and other items. Also a raffle was included with several prizes. The run itself was pretty flat. Just a short run on a couple of streets and most of the distance covered running on the canal. The only challenge was the roads were open. No danger because of the sidewalk, but it meant waiting for the traffic light. The canal was a little muddy in places due to recent rain, but was easily navigable.

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I haven't ran any distance in the past 18 months. This was a good opportunity to get back out in the streets and to support a great cause. One of … MORE

I haven’t ran any distance in the past 18 months. This was a good opportunity to get back out in the streets and to support a great cause. One of my coworkers ran this race last year and earlier this year passed away from the disease. A few of his friends put a team together and I joined up to honor him. This was the first time I have ran this event, but I have ran multiple 5Ks and 10Ks at this same location and course. It is all city streets and flat. No traffic as the roads are all closed off. Fairly simple course to follow. Not the most scenic because it is downtown around the state capital. You will see some homeless people along the way. The streets are not too damaged and the park where it starts and ends is a great monument/park to fallen officers and first responder. That’s worth checking out after the race if you haven’t spent time there. This race raises money for colon cancer research and it well supported with volunteers.

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This race provides multiple opportunities - Blackberry Mountain half, River Road half, double half marathon, or full marathon. I chose the mountain half and I thought it meant it was … MORE

This race provides multiple opportunities – Blackberry Mountain half, River Road half, double half marathon, or full marathon. I chose the mountain half and I thought it meant it was up an actual mountain. I took trail running shoes with me and imagined maybe grassy inclines and creeks that I would have to run through. No – it’s all on blacktop, but it goes up a mountain. The mountain was steep but it wasn’t as bad as I thought. Really the first 6 miles were not bad, then the mountain started around mile 6.5 but the descent took us to mile 7.5 or 8. After that it was similar to the beginning with just another slight incline later.
The most impressive thing was the crowd support. The towns all come together for this. The day prior was the race expo at the high school. The kids were spirited, there were many local vendors, a spaghetti dinner, etc. I bought a stuffed pig for the run. During the race there were many people along the way hanging out in their front yard to encourage runners and some even set up tables with water and snacks.
The water stations were well stocked and had a good number of volunteers. They truly made the race a great one. My performance is still poor, but this was a fun run and I met a lot of nice people both in the race and along the streets. I would highly recommend this one!

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What a time I had with this race – starting the week prior. For some reason I had it in my head the race was 5/12 and after a night … MORE

What a time I had with this race – starting the week prior. For some reason I had it in my head the race was 5/12 and after a night of short sleep I arrived to the start but was unable to find the run. After attempting different locations I was about to give up when I rechecked the event details and noticed it was actually 5/19. That should have been a sign to just give up and stay in bed.
The morning of 5/19 I again went to the race site and it was packed. The run had sold out, they added a few more spots, and those sold out as well. It was a nice atmosphere with many people there eager to begin the run. Every day I drive by this area and think how I would like to explore those big rocks and trails. That sounds great from the car.
As I lined up the runners were broken into three waves to allow for crowd control. We started up a small incline, through the parking lot, down the street, and into a canal path that led to the trails. By the first half mile I was already feeling it. I have completed the PF Chang half marathon five times, and in that race the entire thing is flat except when the run enters Tempe around Curry Street and suddenly there are hills that kick my butt near the end of the race. This trail run was entirely in that area and it was working its magic on me right from the start. It wasn’t too hot yet, so that wasn’t an issue, but I was definitely way out of shape for those hills. I made it around the two mile mark when I started thinking about how hard I was breathing, how my legs and butt were already sore, and how after finishing the course of 6.5 miles I would have to do a second lap. By mile 3 I decided there was no way I could pull that off, so I stopped and walked back to the parking lot where my car was. At least I got a nice shirt out of it. I definitely need to get in better shape before trying a trail run again.
But if you are in shape, I would recommend the run. The race staff I have run with before and they are great, the shirt was nice, and the medal was fantastic – if only I would have finished and received one. Plus the area is beautiful so it would give a fit person and enjoyable view.

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So this would normally be a fairly easy run - a nice 1.3 mile loop around a lake in Brighton, CO. the course was 2/3 gravel bike path and 1/3 … MORE

So this would normally be a fairly easy run – a nice 1.3 mile loop around a lake in Brighton, CO. the course was 2/3 gravel bike path and 1/3 sidewalk. Very flat and easy. Except this day it was low-mid 30’s and snow. Small standing puddles in some areas on the track. I began running, but walked when I came to a snow-covered bridge. There were 3 or 4 wooden bridges around the loop. Back to running after the bridge, but then slowed down when I encountered standing water or mud. Eventually most of the course turned to mud as the runners continued their laps around the lake – some half marathon, some full marathon, and there was also a 50K option (not sure if anyone did that). Being from Phoenix I was miserable in snow and cold. My time was horrible not only because I ended up walking due to the frequent mud, but since there was a 9 hour time limit, after lap 5 and 8 I went back to the car and turned on the heater. Looking at my lap times that added about 20 minutes to each of those two laps. I guess 40 minutes off of my total would be a descent pace for my current fitness level and considering it was 99% walking.

The runners and the race director were very nice. Love the unique metal, and I would do it again if the weather were warmer.

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This was an easy course in one of the local parks. The course was a 1.47 mile loop around a nature preserve with a one little jog down a side … MORE

This was an easy course in one of the local parks. The course was a 1.47 mile loop around a nature preserve with a one little jog down a side path for the extra distance. The course was paved sidewalk around a dune-like area. Lots of rabbits along the path. Run from start to finish, then back again for one loop. Repeat 4 times.

The challenge of the course was it felt a little warmer than expected and it made it more difficult that I thought. One aid station on each side of the start/finish line and a volunteer to direct runners on the side path. Overall a nice run.

The t-shirt was awesome – a blue long sleeved tech shirt that read “Once in a Double Blue Moon”. The back had the blue moon design depicted in the medal. I do like the medal, although I was a little surprised that it didn’t say double blue moon. The Blue Moon run is an annual race, but the double blue moon is only 3-4 times every 100 years. The shirt was different so I thought the medal would be too. But it was still nice.

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This race has been on my interest list for about four years now, but I always failed to register for it. But this year the 50 State Half Marathon club … MORE

This race has been on my interest list for about four years now, but I always failed to register for it. But this year the 50 State Half Marathon club selected it to be the annual meet up. I also have never attended a 50 State Half Marathon meet up even though I joined in 2010. I have been a slacker and thought attending this would bring back my motivation and allow me to check off a race that has been on my to-do list for a while (plus a new state).

The race production was great. The Race Director was in attendance Saturday at the meet up banquet and I enjoyed his enthusiasm. Hearing the people who ran the Saturday race I was excited to go. It was a bit, okay a lot, colder than I expected, but I improvised and was warm enough. There was a large crowd for the run, most of them fellow club members so it really created a great atmosphere. The race was flat and would be fast if I were still in shape. Basically a walking/bike trail along the banks of the Rio Grande river (which really wasn’t so grande). As the day warmed up it was a very pleasant running experience. Two laps on an up-and-back pavement; fairly straightforward. The little bridges were a bit slippery in the morning, but by the second lap they were fine.

Great job to Clint for hosting a wonderful event. He got us ready to go with a pre-race talk to explain the course and it was a fun day. I am glad I attended. Oh, and a bonus months ago – I originally signed up for the race but neglected the discount code. He applied that and sent me a refund check. I had an old address listed so it was returned to him. He wrote me again to get the new address and resent it back to me. A lot of time and commitment hunting me down for $15. Much appreciated that he took the time to do that.

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I went to see a fellow runner in our 50 state group reach half #100, and I had not yet run Kansas. The run was well staffed and the activities … MORE

I went to see a fellow runner in our 50 state group reach half #100, and I had not yet run Kansas. The run was well staffed and the activities around the race were excellent. The day was more humid than I expected and the course a little more rolling hills than I expected. I also saw less cows than I thought – but it was nice to be there, nice to see all of the 50 state runners out there, and my wife and I had a nice few days in the area. The medal was fantastic.

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This is a run I register for every year. This is the sixth year and I am a legacy member, having finished all six years. It is nice, not only … MORE

This is a run I register for every year. This is the sixth year and I am a legacy member, having finished all six years. It is nice, not only because the race director is awesome and the swag is good, but it is familiar. I know the course, I know what to expect, and that helps when it gets challenging. There are some hills in Hollywood and the streets are very slanted, so I run right down the yellow line. The streets could use some repairs also. Nearing the 10-11 mile marker a woman in front of me tripped on a bump in the road and fell, scrapping her elbow. The finish line is calling because around 11.5 you pass it, but have to keep going out, then turn around and come back. But overall it is a nice run. The Hollywood Walk of Fame, Sunset Blvd, and through the small towns like Little Armenia, Thai Town, etc. are really cool. Always a great production and I have enjoyed it each year. I always make it a nice long weekend trip from Phoenix.

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I would have likely done very well on this course in 2012 when I was in good running shape. The course was mostly flat – a few small inclines, but … MORE

I would have likely done very well on this course in 2012 when I was in good running shape. The course was mostly flat – a few small inclines, but nothing strenuous. It was a very scenic run along Mission Bay and Fiesta Island. The course was the road that went out to the island and later sidewalks along the walking trails. It was overcast and sprinkling at the beginning, but never amounted to a steady rain. Temperatures were pleasant and made for good running.

I felt like I was running well – better than my previous two weekends – through mile 9. Then we passed the finish line and kept going about 2 miles, then turned around. A combination of passing the finish line and some mile makers that I thought were off caused me to slow down and not finish as strong in that final 4 miles. The distance between the mile 7 and 8 marker definitely felt short, but 8 to 9 was very long. I think the distance between mile 10 and 11 was also short. In the end I finished and talked to a couple of ladies afterward. One said according to her device it was 13.4 miles. I cannot confirm that as I did not use anything to track progress. But even still, it was enjoyable.

The medal was very nice – a mardi gras mask that was very colorful. A volunteer gave me a couple of beads and I kept with the medal. I would definitely do it again and hopefully in better shape and faster running times.

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The course was flat and ran on the shoulder of rural roads. The route was a 6 mile box along cotton fields; not too much to see, but it was … MORE

The course was flat and ran on the shoulder of rural roads. The route was a 6 mile box along cotton fields; not too much to see, but it was flat. Traffic continues to run, so be alert. Not too many cars at the beginning, but later it picks up a bit more. The half marathon was two loops around the boxed route.

Big improvements on the medal. I saw a friend of mine ran it two years ago and it was a plain medal with a sticker. Now it is a nice pink cut-designed medal. The proceeds of the race go to a good cause: providing mammograms to women who do not have insurance or are under-insured.

The race is also small. If you are a slow runner like me I would recommend bringing your own water and holding off on drinking it until lap 2. There were water stations around mile 2/8, 4/10, and 6/12. There may have been one more. But on the second lap the first station started packing up as the final runners passed. The ones in the middle already left and there wasn’t water again until mile 12. There was a small, but cheerful group still awaiting at the finish line as the final runners arrived.

As for me personally in the run, I was feeling very poor dispite the flat terrain. I ran last Saturday and had a blister on my foot. This week no blister and my body felt fine, but my heart rate and blood pressure were high. Also because it was so small and I was near the back I think that added to my mental issues. Near the end I was ready to quit, but I continued. Despite the struggles I finished 3 1/2 minutes better than last week.

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The course was fairly straight-forward: exit the casino, turn left, run for 6.5 miles, and return. The casino sits on top of a hill so going out it wasn't too … MORE

The course was fairly straight-forward: exit the casino, turn left, run for 6.5 miles, and return. The casino sits on top of a hill so going out it wasn’t too noticeable. The first two miles were fairly quick and either downhill or flat. The mile 3 marker started an uphill climb that lasted until the turn around. Coming back it was mostly downhill until around mile 11-12 when the climb up to the casino began. It was noticeable that time. Not too much to see along the way: a small town of Somerton and a lot of agricultural fields with people working. The Yuma Valley is one of the largest producers of vegetables in the country, and at the end of the race a small cup of raw broccoli with a dribble of ranch was awaiting. It was quite good and different. The medal was nice, the shirt was a nice quality tech shirt. The expo was small and easy to navigate. Easy to get in, get the stuff, and head out.

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The Caribbean Christmas typically is a half marathon in Carmel, IN. I signed up for it last year; however, I was unable to go. To my surprise it was listed … MORE

The Caribbean Christmas typically is a half marathon in Carmel, IN. I signed up for it last year; however, I was unable to go. To my surprise it was listed as a 5K in Chandler, AZ this year (one week after the typical half in Indiana). I need to get back in running shape so I thought doing a 5K would be a good start. The course was just along the streets of Chandler – basically around the block not too far from my house. Not much to see scenery wise, but the course was flat and fairly straight-forward. The medal was awesome – a large snow globe with a snowman & surf board. This was the first run in Arizona conducted by the race group. They provided a good atmosphere with Fractured Prune donuts, hot chocolate, reggae music, and some photo ops. I would definitely do it again and other races they put on.

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This year the run unveiled a new medal design for the 5th anniversary. I am a legacy member, having run all five years - and I am registered for year … MORE

This year the run unveiled a new medal design for the 5th anniversary. I am a legacy member, having run all five years – and I am registered for year 6 in 2017. After that I may drop out. Not because of the race, but there are many others around the country I want to do that seem to be on the same weekend.

The Race Director, Ken Nwadike, is my favorite race director because he always listens and makes improvements based on what the feedback is. He has become so famous as the Free Hugs guy that I am impressed he continues to have the time to put on the run.

The scenery is nice – down the Hollywood Walk of Fame and you see many of the famous buildings. Good view of the Hollywood sign coming back. The end is the only thing that is challenging because you run by the finish line but still have about a mile left. Other than that, by now the run production and event itself is flawless.

This was my slowest year running it. In the beginning years of the event I was in shape, but I have become lazier and fatter over the years. While the race itself has improved every year, my performance has decreased.

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I wanted to run this race because my Mom’s side of the family lives just about 10 miles from the run and my Mom not only graduated from Marshall with … MORE

I wanted to run this race because my Mom’s side of the family lives just about 10 miles from the run and my Mom not only graduated from Marshall with her Master’s degree, but she was a professor there for a number of years. She recently had a stroke and I had not been able to visit her yet, so this was a great opportunity for accomplish both.
The weather had been chilly, but warmed up nicely on race morning. There were some sprinkles, but they stopped before the run. The course was through the streets of Huntington, mostly flat the whole way. The route wound through the streets, down into a park along the river, back into the streets, and there was a little hill until we emerged on a nice walking trail. There was excellent spectator support, the band was playing in the park, and people on their porches watching.
I knew the end involved running into the stadium, getting a football, and scoring a touchdown. I did not know it was down and back, so as I ran down the ramp with my water bottle in my pocket so I could easily grab the football, I mustered up the last remaining energy to sprint down the football field. To my surprise once we reached the 20 yard line we turned to run to the other sideline, then back to the other end of the field to finish. I kept thinking don’t fall now! I made it and it was a good time. Another thing I wished I knew was the food being grilled in the parking lot was free. I was hungry, but walked back to my car thinking I left my wallet there…but as it turns out the food was for us.
I purchased the warm-up jacket and it was nice to have in the morning. The medal was cool, the town is great, and I enjoyed the race. I was nice to be able to get to spend time with my family during the same time. I definitely recommend this one.

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The race was difficult for me because it was on the mountain, and we don’t really have mountains where I live. Some steep ascents made it tough. The descents were … MORE

The race was difficult for me because it was on the mountain, and we don’t really have mountains where I live. Some steep ascents made it tough. The descents were mostly steady, but a couple were sharp as well. The course ran on regular roads on the mountain, which made for smooth running. The roads were open so traffic was present, but not too much. The weather was hot in Portland that weekend, but on the course it was cool thanks to the heavy shade from the trees. The road also ran along a river and provided nice views throughout the run. The race was well organized and had some great support along the way.

Overall I rated the swag as average. The appeal to me was the medal – a wooden medal of Bigfoot. Over the years the cost of that production has apparently increased, so the company has had to cut back on other things. The run was a little cheaper than others – I believe I registered at $55 price level, but a t-shirt was not included. There were some available for purchase at the expo for $15. At packet pick up there was a nice insolated custom tote, and it contained a few items such as a sample bag of chips, chapstick, a bumper sticker, deodorant, and another snack sample – but none of it was too exciting. I would have rather had the shirt than the things in the bag.

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The scenery is very nice. It is outside of the park but has a good view of mountains and part of the run is along a river. It is a … MORE

The scenery is very nice. It is outside of the park but has a good view of mountains and part of the run is along a river. It is a trail run, but a lot of the course is a gravel road or a well-worn route trucks or maybe snowmobiles. This weekend the course was a little wet with frequent large puddles. The ruts in the road were narrow and made it challenging when there were several people together. The road also had a lot of rocks which made it important to watch footing. I did see a couple of people fall along the course. There was also a monster hills from just after mile 5 to over mile 6. That really zapped me most of the rest of the way.

I brought my own water and did not stop at any of the aid stations, but they ran out of water at the mile 7 table. They did call it in and someone came along in a truck to deliver water there and also to the table at mile 9.

At the end of the race we received a box and a banana. The box I didn’t open until later, but it had all good stuff – honey stinger, fruit leather, cave man bar, and some trail mix. The medal is one of the best I have received. Very large, colorful, and nice graphic.

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The run begins atop a mountain at 7000 feet and runs mostly downhill to about 5500 feet. There are some slight inclines, but the majority of the run is downhill. … MORE

The run begins atop a mountain at 7000 feet and runs mostly downhill to about 5500 feet. There are some slight inclines, but the majority of the run is downhill. The medal is a big attraction here. It features a dinosaur on the front and the fossilized dinosaur on the reverse (because the run is near Dinosaur National Monument where there is a dinosaur quarry and fossils). Some people described inconsistencies in their bag from the expo. I received gloves, many others received gloves, but some who arrived even before us did not receive gloves. Another couple of ladies said they did not receive gloves, but they received headphones. There was also a pre-run post on Facebook regarding free photos, but apparently near race day the photographer pulled out and there was difficulty finding someone else to do free photos. There was someone who snapped a few photos at the start, but that’s all I saw. I would definitely do the run again for the medal and the course. I would also like to explore the dinosaur national monument, which I didn’t get to do this time due to time constraints with my travel.

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This was the fourth year for the run, and I have completed each one of them. I definitely consider Ken E Nwadike Jr one of the best, if not the … MORE

This was the fourth year for the run, and I have completed each one of them. I definitely consider Ken E Nwadike Jr one of the best, if not the best race director in the country. There were challenges in the first year and they were resolved by year 2. He takes feedback from all runners and works to incorporate it in the upcoming year’s run. This year was a good example when the initial date of the run was moved to Sunday, but overwhelmingly people wanted it back on Saturday. He moved it back. The race medals are excellent, the swag is great, and it continues to improve. For those who have completed all four years and are founding legacy members he definitely goes out of the way to ensure they are taking care of. This year there were Walk of Fame stars with some runner names on it, a nice dry-fit legacy hat, and the medal that I like. Next year will be a new medal design for the 5th anniversary. I just completed this run on Saturday and have already registered for 2016. I look forward to this run every year. Plus it is a nice long weekend family trip where they get to relax on the beach in Santa Monica.

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I had been recovering from multiple injuries that left me without any running or gym time for eight weeks. Thankfully I healed just prior to this race. Since I had … MORE

I had been recovering from multiple injuries that left me without any running or gym time for eight weeks. Thankfully I healed just prior to this race. Since I had been inactive I planned to just walk it because there was a 9 hour time limit and I didn’t want to risk re-injury.
That said, had I been running it I likely would not have been running after mile one. The start was in a parking lot and down a gravel road – then up a very long and steep hill. Even walking I was completely winded by the top. I failed to read the course map and didn’t realize it was a trail run. After a couple of miles on the road it was into the woods, which thanks to a couple days of rain lead to muddy trails. Because I was walking it wasn’t long before the runners were gone and I was in front of other walkers, but most of the time there weren’t others around. Just me alone in the woods, hoping there were no bears. The trail was well marked with a green flag every couple hundred feet. Near the end I looked at my phone and it seemed like I was well over the 13 miles, but there was no end in sight, only a few occasional marathoners coming back, and I wondered if I were lost. For the first time in a run I thought about giving up…except I had no idea where I was, how far I had come, how far to go, or where the car was parked…so I continued following the green flags until eventually I found the glorious end.

Waiting at the end was some of the best swag I have received. The shirt I received before the race was beautiful – a long sleeve grey shirt with a nice logo of the run (no sponsor logos). The medal was handmade out of wood, and we also received a raccoon hat! It was very challenging, but the views, the swag, and the support from the race crew was wonderful. A well organized event by the folks at Run Chattanooga.

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The run sounds crazy – a half marathon along Lake Michigan in mid-January, especially for someone who lives in warm Phoenix. I researched the run and the promoters have a … MORE

The run sounds crazy – a half marathon along Lake Michigan in mid-January, especially for someone who lives in warm Phoenix. I researched the run and the promoters have a good web site. 2015 was the sixth running of the race and the reviews from past years were positive. The images from last year’s cold and snowy run were a little scary, but I set off to earn the really cool medal. There are no t-shirts for the run, but instead a toboggan and gloves. That worked for me because I have too many shirts as it is. Race packet pick up extended nearly the whole week prior across multiple locations around Chicago.

Arriving to Chicago a few days before it was windy and very chilly, but on race morning the temperature was warmer, less wind, and for the first time during my visit I saw the sun. The start and finish was Soldier Field. The run was along the lake trail (sidewalk). The lake was beautiful and the course was fairly level. There was no ice on the trail and the large sell-out crowd seemed to have enough room coming and going. The challenge was bicyclist and other runners who were no part of the race also were using the same trail. It wasn’t too big of a deal with the runners, but the bikes meant runners needed to be alert. The run cut-off time was 3:30, which was 30 minutes more than I expected. Trying to get back into my running shape meant I had to push it toward the end when I thought I would not make it…but I did. The view around mile 2-3 and back at 10 (I think) gave a nice view of the city.

I am still not a fan of winter, but I would do this run again. It is a great crowd, well organized, and nice swag.

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This was a local race in the Phoenix area. Not too much scenery - out and back along the canal. I liked the medal though; however, it has now since … MORE

This was a local race in the Phoenix area. Not too much scenery – out and back along the canal. I liked the medal though; however, it has now since changed names and designs.

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This was a one-time only half marathon to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Ford Mustang. The race was held on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway racetrack, so it wasn't … MORE

This was a one-time only half marathon to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Ford Mustang. The race was held on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway racetrack, so it wasn’t scenic – just laps around the course. But it was fun to be on the track. The day started very chilly, but warmed up quickly as the sun rose. It was a fun atmosphere and a lot of support from the race team. The medal was the mustang logo and being a one-time only run I didn’t want to miss it.

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I wanted to run this race because it was a one-shot only. I mean, what if the world really did end? Plus I had not marked Texas off my list. … MORE

I wanted to run this race because it was a one-shot only. I mean, what if the world really did end? Plus I had not marked Texas off my list. I realized that it was a two-race event (After the End of the World on the following day), and there was no time limit. I had never ran back-to-back half marathons, but without a limit I figured I could run one and walk the second. Plus the medal looked really cool.

I made it too the packet pick up and the swag was excellent. There was a huge medal (over 5″), a gym bag, and a small Easter Island looking squeezie think. For the second run there was another medal, another gym back, and another item – plus since I was doing both races I received a 3″ coin that had the face of both medals on it. To date these two are still my best medals.

In all of the excitement I saw that the course was around a little nature area. I expected it to be a 6 mile loop that we would do twice. I failed to understand that it was more challenging than that. It was a trail run that began in 35 degree temperatures with frost and tall grass, progressed through short grass, sand, dirt, mud, woods, an apartment complex, and farming roads. The course was not simply a loop around everything but wove its way throughout itself so that I found it challenging to see where I was headed next. There were some cool props along the way with aliens, end of the world, and other things, but that course killed me. I had planned to run day 1, but I barely made it one mile and was spent. I walked the rest of that day and all of day 2. Two days that proved to be my slowest runs every….but that swag was still pretty awesome!

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My first half marathon and I was not sure what to expect. Training did not go as well as I hoped, but Salem is one of my favorite small towns … MORE

My first half marathon and I was not sure what to expect. Training did not go as well as I hoped, but Salem is one of my favorite small towns and I was looking forward to it. I knew I would be slow so I took a spot near the back. This was also the inaugural half marathon, and now there is sponsorship so hopefully it is better.

The course started at the park, went through town, and out along the waterway. We went through some of the streets through the houses on the peninsula and back to the park. Good thing I looked at the course map ahead of time so I knew where I was going. There were plenty of volunteers at first, but as my slow pace dragged on, everyone started packing up. The last few miles there were no volunteers and no aid stations. Another guy was behind me and we kept going. Making it back toward town I followed the street signs that directed people to the park location. Running down the sidewalk two times people stopped me for directions. I guess I was so slow that they didn’t realize I was in a race. As I approached the end I could hear the band playing at the school and started to turn down a side street. The guy behind me yelled out that it was not the way to go. We were supposed to continue straight (but again, no volunteers to guide us). SInce he helped me, I waited for him and we walked toward the end together. The last quarter mile he thought he would run and leave me. No thank you – I kept up and we finished together. Being that we were the dead last two and there were no volunteers I felt very slow and challenged. Afterward I could barely walk for more than a day. That is the sorest I have ever been in a run.

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