Michael Anderson's Staging Area

This is a nice though smaller race.

The pre race communication was very good and I knew exactly where I needed to be for packet pick up. This is good because there packet pick up area was not much to look at. It was held in the area that was also the start/finish line. There was only packet pick up and no sort of expo of any sort. One could also pick up their packet early on the day of the race. At packet pick up you receive your bib, and your participant shirt.

Race morning was a little more spirited and organized. Pre race announcements were of sufficient volume and there were enough porto-potties. The starting corrals were not overly crowded either which was lovely.

As for the course I did not have very strong feelings on the scenery. I thought that the course encapsulated what you need to see in Jackson. The course was deceptively more difficult that the description would lead you to believe. There is not a lot of elevation change but there is just enough in the right places to make you think “hey this is kind of hilly”. I will say that I am glad I was only doing the half marathon. The full marathon is two laps of the half marathon course.

The finish line was actually very well done for the small geographic area that it was in. There was sufficient snacks and liquids. The beer choices were tasty. The jambalaya was tasty. The music was well themed. If I was going to knock them on something it would be their level of organization surrounding the awards. No one really seemed to know how they were doing the awards that were not being handed out on the Victor’s Blocks.

One should definitely consider this race if they need to get their Mississippi race done. And if I am to be shameful and plug a local business, Fertile Ground Brewing is a great place and gave a free beer to participants in the race that brought their bib.

Hood To Coast was such a different experience than anything I have ever participated in. The logistics of 12000 runners making their way from Timberline Lodge to Seaside without anyone getting harmed is a massive logistical undertaking.
So first to understand how it works traditionally. Each relay team has 12 runners split over 2 vans. Van 1 starts the race and rotates through its runners all the way to Sandy High School. At Sandy High School Van 2 takes over and rotates through their runners all the way to OMSI in close in SE Portland. Van 1 then takes over again and rotates through the same runners in the same order all the way to the Columbia County Fairgrounds. Van 2 then takes the relay all the way to a large Field that is near the Columbia/ Clatsop County border. Van 1 then takes things to a farm field not far out of Astoria. Finally Van 2 anchors the run through to Seaside. In a perfect world, Van 1 is waiting there with their runners and everyone crosses the finish line together.
If it sounds exhausting just reading the logistics, I assure you that it is no less exhausting to run. You most certainly will run during a time of day when you normally would be asleep. You will certainly not get as much sleep as you should for peak performance. You will spend a great deal of time sweaty and tired with at least 5 other people in a van.
The difficulty with Hood to Coast is not so much the mileage that you actually run. Most runners clock between 16 and 19 miles over their 3 legs. Nothing to yawn at, but not even a marathon. The difficulty with Hood to Coast is the terrain, hours awake, constant leap frogging, and in the case of 2023, the weather. I was runner 9 and had my first leg on the Springwater trail. Its a nice trail, the elevation is consistent, and it was not particularly crowded when I was running. But it was also 93 degrees, on blacktop, and the only aid you have is what you are carrying with you because your van can not reach you until you get to your exchange point. My sister ran 3 legs that all had her running up hills that no one should yawn at. The conditions are difficult even as a fresh runner, but when you have been at it for over 24 hours, you are really testing yourself.
This race can not go off without hiccups. Parking to drop and pick up your runners is difficult. There are areas that can be traffic snarls. There are large swaths of the race that have no cell phone coverage and therefore teams can not consistently communicate in the easiest manner. But for the size of this production, the relay truly is a marvel. My biggest disappointment is that the finish is a bottleneck and very anticlimactic by the time you can actually take your team across the finish line. I did not know how this can be improved at this moment, but I am going to give it some thought.
My final word on Hood to Coast is that if you are invited to participate and you believe you are ready to test yourself, you should definitely take the invitation and see what you can really do.

Ran this race as my Kansas race. The expo was quick and efficient. The morning of the race there were shuttles from 2 locations to cut down on the crowding at the start/finish. I found this helpful. I was pleased that the parking garage was sectioned off so that there was an area for runners to warm up that was not directly in the 35 degree weather.
The race itself had great support and markings. I did not find the course to be overly scenic or beautiful but it was not ugly. I was trying to figure out why they made the race too long, but can see that last year it was too short so apparently this is to make sure that they don’t have that problem again.
Finish line had enough snacks to satiate a runner if not anything exciting. There were multiple beers to choose from and they were not all Macro Breweries so that was nice. They also had chocolate milk which is always a nice touch.
Walking away I said to myself that they seem to have this race production dialed in. Would recommend doing it for anyone that wants a race that is not in KC but close to it.

In the aftermath of doing the Princeton half people asked me how it was. My answer is that it was good…

The Pre-race communmication was thorough and I had a good grasp on the information that I needed as a person coming in from out of town. The expo was quite small and getting into Princeton Running Company was definitely a squeeze. The people at the desk however were very nice and friendly.

On the morning of the race the communication on site was quite clear it was easy to find gear check and get things in. The small issue I have with this gear check is that it was supposed to (and did) rain some the morning of the race. The gear check was placed out in the open however when a awning could certainly have been procured for the small to moderate area it needed to cover.

The course was lovely with a mix of town and wooded country roads. The markings were spot on and I thought there were enough aid stations. I did think the placement of some of the aid stations were a little weird but I wont quibble with that.

The course definitely has some inclines. It is not a crazy elevation gain, but one could not call this course flat. On the biggest hills there were a lot of supporters encouraging you along and I found that very nice.

The finish line was well staffed and the medal photos were a great touch. Just as a reminder, this race has free photos which is a perk that racers should just incorporate into their fees. The munchies at the finish line were minimalist. Bananas, bagels, pretzels, some granola bars, water, and Gatorade. What is missing from this list? BEER! Life went on, but there are plenty of breweries in the area of Princeton and I’m sure they could find one that wants to get the publicity.

The swag and small finisher festival were nice enough. I was very pleased with the speed of the results for this race. I think within an hour I had all the information I needed.

Would I suggest this race to people as a race to do in New Jersey? If you like cute towns and country roads, it is a great choice. Especially since it does bring out some solid runners to compete. If you want the large races that push you along with the sheer amount of people energy…. Not this one. If beer is important…. You need to speak to them about that.

This race reminded me a lot of the Fargo Half Marathon. It has the same main sponsor so perhaps that has something to do with it. From start to finish a solidly organized race. The packet pick up and expo was small but delightful. The directions coming into the event were well times and definitely informative, The organization of the morning of the race was well executed. I liked the course overall as you really were able to take in what Sioux Falls has to offer. There are a few inclines in the course but nothing of too much consequence. The finish like was well stocked and the physical therapists were a nice touch. The only issue I would like to see addressed is that it is very difficult to get out of the finish line area and get to gear check as you have to cross the race course in two places. This was definitely the right choice for my South Dakota race.

This was my first time running the Race of the River. Going to the website for the race, I was not sure exactly what to expect from the race. The thing I did know is that I thoroughly enjoy Astoria and wanted to do a half there. I missed the Expo ad had to pick up my packet on the morning of the race. This was an easy enough process. There was plenty of space to warm up and stretch at the starting line. The announcements were loud, clear, and dare I say amusing?
Lining up for the race it was clear that there were some runners that meant serious business there. It was also clear that this was going to be a wet day. The first part of the race is a south/west out and back to get some lead miles in before doing a north shot down the river front and out into some sneaky hills before turning around and coming back to the start. I am accustomed to hills but these were still no joke to me.
On return there were plenty of snacks and a huge variety of beer. They had done their best to provide shelter in the now downpour that was occurring. The race was a PR for me and though I was soaked I had a great time. This is definitely a race that anyone should consider doing.

It is important to note that I have done this race three times. I am a local and therefore I would have a different view of the race perhaps than someone visiting from elsewhere. I had taken several years off because I was concentrating on getting my 50 states done. However, my sister decided she wanted to run her first half marathon and I immediately told her that this was the race and that I would join her.

The “expo” for the this race is not much to speak of as it is held at a different Foot Traffic store depending on the the day you go. With that being said, I have no issues with this setup.

Race morning was COLD. I mean it is not warm in Portland in December to begin with. But it rained almost all the way to the beginning of the race and the wind was blowing. This was my first time doing the “new” course. The old race started and finished at Adidas and the race now starts and finishes at Daimler which is a little further south. This was actually a good move because it cut what always felt like just a silly little zigzag through a neighbourhood to add mileage before beginning the real course. Now you go straight up the hill and pass Adidas before connecting with Willamette Drive for most of the course. I love Willamette Drive as it has a beautiful view of the Willamette River, DT Portland, and some very nice fancy homes. You pass University of Portland which is a pretty campus and run under what is arguably the nicest bridge in Portland (the St Johns). The turn around near Pier Park is a bit anticlimactic but such is the nature of an out and back sometimes.

This race was funny for me because I set out not really trying (since it was not part of my 50 States) but something about being on the course drove me that morning. I was obviously cruising along. I did not see my sister until I was well on my way back (which she told me was disheartening to know that I was that far ahead). I knew I must be going hard because I did feel it in miles 9, 10, and 11. But at mile 12 the course pretty much switches to you descending the hill that you ran up at the beginning. It is actually a nice way to end as it pretty much carries you that whole mile with just a small straightaway into the finishing chute. I actually thought I was hallucinating when I saw the timer as I did not believe that it could be right. A 9 year PR was shattered that day. This is a big deal considering I am on the other side of what should be my “peak running years”. I was pretty excited that my new PR was on my favourite local race.

The finishing area had plenty of goodies and of course the obligatory beer. My sister finished the race in a respectable time for a first timer and promptly retired from the half marathon. She did however agree that it was a nice course.

I think think that if you are a local this is a great race to shake off winter dust. I would even say it could be worth it for a destination race.

I ran this race the year that they did it in June. I can not recommend doing this race in June :o) However it appears that it normally is in April, which seems much more pleasant.

Not much to say about the expo. It was basically a packet pick up in a running store. No complaints, but very simple.

I decided to scope out the course a little before I ran it and knew quickly where the “fun” was going to be. More on that later.

The pre-race communication was solid and I was very clear on where I was going and when. Parking was simple on race morning and there was plenty of room to warm up and stretch. The announcements were plenty loud and there was even sufficient space to line up for the race.

After launch you quickly come to a steep downhill. This is a clue about what you shall face when you return. This is an out and back course and therefore you need to run back up that hill again. In mile 12….. If this hill isn’t already making you reconsider your life choices, I can tell you that it is steep enough that there is a separate set of timing mats just for the ascent back up, and a prize for the fastest to do it. You need to leave gas in the tank for this hill or suffer the consequences. The remainder of the course is rolling hills through neighbourhoods and a park. It is actually kind of pretty. But…. again….. Not in June heat.

The finish line and festivities are solid. The beer from Foothills was tasty. The music entertaining and there were lots of awards.

I am not sure how all this looks in April, but even in the hot hot heat I was very pleasantly surprised by this race. I don’t know that I would pick it over Charlotte for those trying to do their 50 States, but certainly it is not a poor choice.

I wish I knew how this race plays out when it is not trying to be COVID compliant. The COVID version of this race was truly a gallant effort. I have to give the organization credit for the extra logistical nightmare. I do have to say however that the COVID version of this race was just not enjoyable. The same day packet pick up, the small boxes to warm up in, the scheduled starting times throughout the day, and the use of a NASCAR complex did not do it for me.
The medal and shirt for the is race were very nice, but that is about it. I know the race has now moved back to Atlanta and does not resemble what I ran. I hate to have my review effect what essentially is a very different event. Hopefully they will never be in this situation again however if they area, this is not the blueprint to repeat.

The headline says it all. This is a Rock and Roll organized race and it is New Orleans. Rock and Roll are consistently solid in their race production, swag, and expos. This was no different.

Large expo at the Convention Center. Lots of people, lots of booths, and if I known this would be my last race before COVID I might had relished it all more.

The race begins in Downtown and takes you out to the area near the Universities along St Charles. You then turn around and come back, go through the French Quarter, and then end in a huge city park.

Plenty of aid, lots of bands, my pacer took shots from a spectator during the race. It was a huge New Orleans party. The shirt and medal were of the normal Rock and Roll quality. There were shots of Southern Comfort in addition to the Michelob Ultra at the end.

Should you do this race? If you like the Rock and Roll style of race production then of course you should.

This race has been discontinued and I am not entirely sure why. For the record this was not my favorite race, but it was quite popular and definitely an experience.

The expo was nothing special. It was held at the finish line/Casino and it had the bare minimum once would expect for calling itself an expo.

Because this was a point to point race, I thought it was interesting that you could either show up to the starting line and have someone come get you at the finish line or you could park at the finish line and take a shuttle to the start. Because I was staying close to the start and was traveling with my husband, I elected to just walk to the start. But it appeared that the shuttle worked well.

The starting line was unlike any others I have experienced with first nation people performing traditional music and dance. There was plenty of room to stretch and line up and the announcements were loud and clear.

This race does not have pacers and starts at well over 7000 feet above sea level. Racing in both the Tetons and Denver did not effect me. However…. This did. I definitely experienced the thinner air and I also went out too fast. This combined to cause me issues by mile 9. However I was able to catch my breath and finished the race perfectly well.

The race officials at the end were very diligent and made sure that I was ok after being spotted walking on the course. I actually have mixed feelings about this because by the time they had contact with me, I was actually doing fine and know my body (which is why I had the walking part when I did) but I have to admire their dedication.

There was definitely some traffic snags at the casino. The shirt and the medal were designed by a local artist which I thought was a nice touch.

If this race was still being conducted I would tell people to do it. It was a worthwhile experience.

This race, like my new motto for OKC, is not as bad a you might think.
The packet pickup/expo was in an easy to walk part of DT. I stayed out of the downtown core so I drove in, found a nice parking spot, went to the expo ad then walked around for dinner and entertainment afterwards. The Expo had everything you would expect from a large race. There were 2 shirts this year because it was the 20th race and therefore there was a special shirt for the anniversary. There is of course a huge emphasis on the bombing (as there should be). As a quick aside, if you haven’t been, you really need to go to the OKC Bombing Memorial and Museum. It is astounding.

Race morning it was easy to find a parking spot and walk into the race area. I scope out the starting area before a race so I am not left wondering where to go, but had I not, I would have been easily able to find the start with the signage. There were buildings open with REAL rest rooms for us! Corrals were easy to find and I lined up easily with my pace group.

The race was quite pretty and the support was consistent. Downtown, the Capitol, peaceful neighbourhoods, it was all nice. There were some surprisingly hillier than expected spots and there was a part of the race where I was not sure I was going to be able to hold on with the pace group. But I managed to stay there and even left them around my usual breakoff spot of 15K.

The finish line was well equipped with all the eats and beer. The medal was high quality bling like one might expect from a race of this magnitude.

I would definitely travel in to do this race again when I am done with my 50 states. If one is looking for their O.K. race, this is a perfect choice.

There are so many people that like this race…. I am not one of them. And honestly my opinion has only gone further down as I have done more races.
I like Portland Running Company (which this race is peripherally related to). I will give credit to the Run With Paula Organization for providing great communication about the logistics of the race. Because it is so popular, it can be a pain to get everyone into Hillsboro Stadium but they organized that well.
The line up and launch was somewhat chaotic but that is low on my list of things that annoyed me about this race. The course was not interesting to me in the least. It is mostly paved country roads with a portion on gravel late in the race. There are multiple out and back loops along the course (which I also am not a fan of). Part of my annoyance that is not the fault of the race is that a had multiple rocks get in my shoe during the course of the race. At the end of the course you combine with the other distances and it did make for a bit of a traffic jam.
The after race festival had potential. They had chocolate milk (which is always nice) but they were serving it is small dixie cups that didn’t come close to a serving. When I grabbed a second one I was rudely reminded that there needs to be enough for everyone. Yes, I am aware of that . Go buy another gallon if you are worried about my getting a few more ounces of protein after running a half marathon in June. The other item that could have been quite exciting was the Helvetia Burgers. They are supposed to be delicious. However when I went to collect mine, what I received was a luke warm soggy burger that had been placed in a cooler. Apparently they had precooked a bunch of burgers to serve to the early people returning so that they did not get behind on the grill. However that means that the fastest people were the ones receiving the cold burgers. I do not remember any beers at this race which…..might have been helpful to have since we are trying to conserve chocolate milk. The shirt for the race was very bright yellow and the medal was a small talisman. It is by far the smallest medal I have hanging in my collection and I have had several people ask if it is really all that they gave.
I will never do this race again and I will never steer anyone toward it. Honestly the only people that might not notice how underwhelming a race like this is would be people that are doing their first race. And if this is their first race, I could see why they may never do one again.