Emily Vislocky's Staging Area

I just don’t think it was worth it.

My biggest issue was that there was no food at the finish line– nothing provided, and nothing available for purchase at the wine tasting area. Clif, Krave, Nuun were all supposed to be sponsors, but did not receive any products from them. The only recovery food I received was a small bag of Nut Thins and a packet of apple sauce (not sure if I would consider this food). Aside from that, NO FOOD was even available for purchase at the finish line festival area. The only thing was a deli that happened to be adjacent to the festival. Is it even legal to have a wine tasting festival with no food available for purchase? Oh also no food or Gu packs or anything along the race. Just water and Gatorade. The people who handed them out were very nice. But again, Nuun was advertised, but had no presence. I’ve participated in many active events that were much less expensive and received much more food than this, or at least had the option to purchase.

We purchased the Portland pick up option at Coopers Hall. Yes, PURCHASED pickup for $10 more on top of the nearly $100 fee per participant. When we asked the volunteers about how the relay was divided up/which leg was more challenging, they didn’t know. They admitted they knew nothing about the course.

I received countless emails from this race leading up to the event, and checked the website multiple times, yet still I could not find information about the shuttle for the second leg relay participants. It may have been there but I think it should have been easier to come by! I was lucky that I caught the shuttle just seconds before it left. Even so, on race day, nobody was directing me towards the bus. There was no signage, that I could see. My friend was the one who texted me and told me where it was (thanks Jimmy!).

I’m surprised that we have to pay for our photos, even after the large fees to participate in this event ($12 per photo). Furthermore, there are only photos available of myself at the finish line (with no wine country scenery in the background). There isn’t a single photo of my partner in the relay that I can find by searching our shared bib number. Keep in mind, we BOTH paid to run the race. Also, there were many photographers taking photos along the race where you could tell that we were actually in wine country, but I don’t see how to access those.

My partner and I actually won the mixed relay. I wish there was a medal or something that said that we won. The prize of wine is nice, and the burlap bag it came in is kinda cute, but there’s nothing that says 1st place. It just would have been cool, but that’s our opinion. Oh and at the ceremony, it was mentioned that the wine prizes were DONATED by local wineries… I guess the race organizers only paid for the bag?

Overall, I just think this event was much too expensive for the experience. Next time I choose to do a race I will try to go through a different company, or do a race that is a fundraiser. I feel like every penny was being pinched out of us– for the pickup of the bibs, for the photos, for the beer at the end of the race (I guess it’s only supposed to be wine, but still, was disappointed to have to shell out more cash).