Wandering Moose 42k – P.A.C.E. Trail Runs

Marathon

Wandering Moose 42k – P.A.C.E. Trail Runs

Race: Wandering Moose 42k – P.A.C.E Trail Runs

Runner: Coach Jennifer Kozak

Race Date: 10/07/2023

Location: Kelowna, BC, Canada

Results: Overall: 43 GP: 14 // 5:40:11

Photo: Benjamin Walker Photography (@localsince1908)

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  1. The PACE Trail Run community: P.A.C.E – Positive Attitude Changes Everything – truly lives up to its name! Despite this being my first PACE race, everyone was welcoming, the volunteers were amazing, and the RD, Rene, was spectacular! While I haven’t done any larger trail running events, I have to imagine that this race has more of a grassroots feel. Rene hand makes each finisher medal in her pottery workshop, awards the top runners with home made jam, and greets each and every finisher with a hug at the finish line. In addition, during the race briefing she is clear that if you stop to help another runner and sacrifice your own race (i.e., a trail angel), you will be rewarded a free entry into another PACE event. This race is all about community!
  2. The course: This race takes place around the Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park, a popular spot for mountain biking. The course had a little bit of everything, flowy single track both on the ups and the downs, short sections of fire road, technical downhill sections, four creek crossings, and an almost scramble to the finish.
  3. The scenery: This race takes place over Canadian Thanksgiving and the weather was PERFECT! The start of the race was a chilly 6 C (43 F), but got to highs of around 22 C (72 F). The race starts through the forest and it was gorgeous with all the trees changing color. At one point all you could see were yellows and oranges! After the initial climb, you were treated to sweeping views of Okanagan Lake. The final section of the race is along the valley floor and again, very beautiful with the trees changing colors. I honestly can’t imagine a more perfect day to run this race.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

The final 2km was interesting. It seemed like they needed to end the race so they cut the trail straight up a grassy hill (almost on all fours, scrambling) to short cut over to the finishing area! After 39 km (~24 miles) already ran, this was tough!

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

Nothing weird! Everything was amazing! Perhaps the weirdest (but most wonderful) thing was a volunteer dressed as a moose a few km into the race giving out high fives!

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

This was my first trail marathon. I’ve completed a couple of trail half marathons in the past, and I was looking forward to seeing how a longer trail race felt. Going in, I didn’t have any time goal. My usual goal for first time distances (on both road and trail) is to finish the run wanting to sign up for the next! That said, I was secretly hoping to finish in around 6 hours.

The first mile is a descent along the road that leads you out of the parking lot and into the trail network. As with most runners, I probably ran this first downhill mile too fast! After you enter the park, you have a long ascent up to the next aid station at around 10 km (6.2 miles) with approximately 550m (1800ft) of gain. Here is where I told myself to take it easy, and power hike the uphills, and run the flatter sections. At this point I made some trail friends! Having someone to chat with (and remind each other to eat) was phenomenal and passed the time to the first aid station very quickly. The next descent took us down that full 1800 ft we had just climbed. It wasn’t wildly technical, but had a lot of rock gardens typical of mountain biking trails. Here it also became exposed to the sun and it had started to heat up. The next ascent (550m/1800ft) was also exposed to the sun mostly and at this point, blisters had opened up on both heels. I tried to ignore it and luckily, the pain seemed to go away after a few more miles.

By the time the next aid station rolled around (around 20km/13 miles) I was still feeling very strong! After leaving this aid station though the mountain biking trail began to become more technical, and not long after I had to stop to figure out my first ever leg cramps. I had practiced with salt tabs in training runs and my stomach did not agree with them, but for this race I decided it might be a good idea to have SOME sort of electrolyte on hand. I packed (but didn’t anticipate using) a SIS gel + electrolyte. When the cramps came on, I downed this gel. After stretching out for about 30 seconds, I was ready to roll! From there, it was a very technical descent through a DARK forest (I had trouble seeing even though I wasn’t wearing sunglasses), some creek crossings (dunked my hat a few times), and the insane uphill at the end (oh right, I had blisters)! On the final transition from the uphill to a fire road that takes you to the finish, the cramps came back. After stretching them out for a minute, I was able to finish the run and get my hug!

I was also ecstatic to see that I had beat my projected finish time by 20 minutes! I had a very good build up to this race training wise, and felt ready to tackle it. Though, overall, I attribute my feeling good throughout most of the race to fueling. I brought most of my own fuel (8 gels in total), but relied on the aid station for water and electrolyte refills and a couple slices of watermelon. I did not feel depleted of energy at all over the course of the race.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

I’d recommend wearing some lightweight gaiters to cover the tops of the shoes. On the exposed sections it can get quite sandy and it would be ideal not have that dumping into your shoe. Same goes for in the forest as well, the loamy trails were so squishy at points it resembled sand.
Perhaps next time I would rely more on fuel from the aid stations. They were very well stocked and if you are good with Hammer, you probably don’t need to pack much.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

I must be wiser about shoe choice! I 100% attribute my blisters to a poor shoe selection (though I had practiced some long runs with them). I’m already looking forward to a race where this does NOT happen.

I may consider practicing with salt/electrolyte tablets again. I did not expect the cramping and glad I had that electrolyte gel in my bag even if it was added as an afterthought or a “just in case”. I may also need to force myself to take in more liquid during the first 10km (6.2 miles). I drank little during that first section because it was forest covered and “cold”.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Definitely to expect that 2km scramble at the end of the race up to the finish area. It was mentally easier I feel knowing it was coming. I feel like being surprised by it would take a mental toll. Also, this is a public area and so you need to be aware that you’ll likely cross paths with mountain bikers and hikers.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Beautiful! Fall foliage and sweeping lake views. The course seemed to have a little bit of everything!

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

The long course is approximately 42 km (26 miles) with about 1320 m (4330 ft) of elevation gain (though my watch put it at closer to 5000 ft). There is also a 21 km course, a 11 km course, and a kids run. I would say that this is a moderately difficult course, but that most of the trail (aside from the last 2 km) is considered “runnable”. There are sections of more technical downhill, and the creek crossings, but nothing crazy.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

PACE is a well-oiled machine! This was obvious right at package pick up where we were in and out of there in about 5 minutes even though there was a line forming. Race day check-in was smooth and the briefing and race started right on time. Most importantly, there was never a line for the porta potties. The course was also very well marked with intersections/turns clearly marked and flags all along the course. If I autopiloted and wondered if I had taken a wrong turn, I only had to wait for 1 minute before the next flag came up. Aid stations were very well stocked and the volunteers were very friendly and helpful.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

There are some VERY fit and fast runners taking part in these races! So, yes, I would say they are competitive. That said though, with a finishing group of only about 81 in the full marathon, the field isn’t super deep.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

It was easy to sign up for this race. I signed up well in advance, but it didn’t technically sell out until approximately one month before the race. We had also forgot to book lodging but we found a nice AirBnB available and close to the race only a few weeks out. While I wouldn’t wait until the last minute to sign up, you certainly don’t have to be ready one year in advance. They do have a Quadzilla option (where racers who complete one run from four of PACE’s races are put in a draw for an entry to the TransRockies Run and the TransAlpine Run) so runners who sign up for this get priority registration.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Perfectly stocked aid stations! They had Hammer gels and electrolyte drink, water, chips, pretzels, pickles, watermelon…among other things I’m sure I didn’t notice. Volunteers were super helpful in filling bottles, helping apply anti-chafe gel, and helping runners get the nutrition they needed.

Weather and typical race conditions

As mentioned above, this was the perfect fall weather. It was chilly at the start, and very warm at the end. I wore a windbreaker that ended up being removed around 30 minutes in, though I think next time I would wear small gloves as my hands were numb up until around 60 mins. When speaking with a local who had run this race multiple times, he mentioned that the weather for this race always seems to be perfect!

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

There was no required gear for this race though they recommended an emergency blanket and first aid gear. I liked the gaiters I wore as they kept a lot of dust out of my shoes. I’d highly recommend a hat as it got quite warm out in the sun.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

There was really only 1-2 great spots for spectators unless your friends/family were up for a bit if a hike! There were spectators at the 2nd and 3rd aid stations as they were placed along road access before you tucked into the trails again. Finally, along the final stretch of road some spectators walked out a ways to cheer their runners along the final stretch.

How’s the Swag?

The bag received at package pick up contained a Hammer gel, Hammer electrolyte tabs (one tube), a long sleeve cotton Wandering Moose T-shirt, and 0.5 lbs of their home roasted espresso beans. Finishers received a hand made medal created by RD Rene, and the top runners received some homemade jam. Maybe the best finisher treat was the hand made (and roasted in ovens brought right to the finish line) pizza! Those who were gluten free could choose curry and rice.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

5/5 stars! I highly recommend this race (and have heard amazing things about the other races in the PACE series as well). If you are in BC and able to support them, you won’t be disappointed!

Jack & Jill’s Downhill Marathon Race Report – Matt Hall

Photo: AJ PETERSON

Race: Jack & Jill’s Downhill Marathon

Runner: Matt Hall

Race Date: 07/30/2023

Location: North Bend, WA

Results: 3:11:24 https://www.athlinks.com/event/379803/results/Event/1055186/Results

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/9552544434

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

Trail is beautiful, downhill, and the race shirts were really nice. Photos were great too!

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

  • Started 25 minutes late.
  • Parking instructions were bad.
  • Live runner tracking didn’t work.
  • Waited a full 24hr to post results (still haven’t sent an email with results 48 hours later)

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

2 miles through a tunnel requiring a headlamp. Tunnel was also filled with unmarked potholes full of water.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

Put up a big 8 minute 45 second PR. Paced myself really well so I didn’t crash towards the end.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

Road shoes were fine but it is a bit rockier than most courses; 100% compact gravel trail

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Next time I’d bring a cheap flashlight and ditch in the trash after the tunnel.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Beautiful; probably the most beautiful course you’ll ever do.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Easy. The entire course is about a 1.5% decline. Not so steep that it kills your legs but steep enough that you get a little momentum boost.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

I’d give them a 6/10. Starting line was a bit chaotic with starting late and not communicating well with runners.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Crazy. First place finished in 2:07:11.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

I had no trouble signing up 3 months before raceday. The start time was 6am which is just early enough that it’s rough to wake up in time to drive out to north bend, get on the shuttle, and get to the course without waking up at 3am.

There is only one hotel by the start line and it was sold out.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Standard. More porta potties than I was expecting

Weather and typical race conditions

Perfect; we really lucked out. Start line was around 58 and foggy, finish line was low 60s and sunny.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

Bring a throwaway flashlight

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Only if your friends like to hike. There are only 3 or 4 possible spots to meet runners in the first 20 miles of the course and all of them require a quarter mile to mile hike from the nearest parking lot. There’s a great parking and cheering spot around mile 21 at Rattlesnake Lake otherwise the second best option is probably the intersection with the Mount Washington Trail.

How’s the Swag?

Great! Love the race shirts and they were selling previous year’s shirts for just $5.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

4/5 stars. I’d give them 5 if the starting line was more organized.

Photo: SAM WESTOVER

Grandma’s Marathon Race Report – Eddie Grier

Race: Grandma’s Marathon 2023

Runner: Eddie Grier

Race Date: 06/17/2023

Location: Duluth, Minnesota

Results: BQ***3:02:48 (close to my marathon PR)

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  1. The crowd support is definitely off the charts in a good way
  2. The other runners around me in the HUGE pack in the 3 hr group that I was apart of throughout the race were good to speak with at least for a couple minutes
  3. I have to put the weather here. Very nice & cool temperatures to start

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

*The 3 hour pacer dropped out after Mile 19

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

*See previous answer

The 3 hour pacer dropped out after mile 19. I was very confused by that move. I told my friends about this as well & they thought that it was very strange too. I honestly never seen that before

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

The last 3/4 mile I pass some 10 to 12 runners bring it home!

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

Just go out there & have fun enjoy what Duluth has to offer

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Maybe if I waited another mile or so early in the 2nd half of the race I would have been solid as far as under 3 hr goes. But I continue to trend in the right direction, exciting!

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Not major but you better do some hill training. Lot of rollers for sure. Mile 22 & I think 25ish you need to have some energy saved

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

The people who ran this race before me they were telling me the truth! Very pretty course running along Lake Superior & into town

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

However, don’t sleep on those rolling hills. Especially in the 1st half of the race

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Grandma’s Marathon is definitely a well-oiled machine! This race is like ranked #12 in the US as far as marathons go. I personally think it doesn’t get talked about enough.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

This was a SOLD OUT field across the field 5k, Half, & Full Marathons. Good competition I like that

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Lucky for me and some of the other runners, hotels were a big issue because the event was sold out the university dorms opened up. If y’all do sign up be sure to booked in advance

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Aid stations where well managed! Something there for every runner

Weather and typical race conditions

Cooler temps early in the race…did actually get a little humid late in the race.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

Nothing special.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Crowd: Brings the noise 10/10, course friends indeed!!

How’s the Swag?

Swag was awesome. Got another sweet GMA’s Marathon hoodie along with the jacket

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

9/10. Great Experience

Sugarloaf Marathon Race Report – Ben Curll

Photo: Melissa Curll

Race: Sugarloaf Marathon

Runner: Ben Curll

Race Date: 05/14/2023

Location: Eustis, ME

Results: 3:26:45

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/9070587780/overview

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

Finally a breakthrough Marathon!

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

Nothing – what a perfect day!

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

Go conservative the first 10k, as 7-10 are some hills, and then light it up last 16!

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Replicate effort from last time, maybe start a little faster to improve time, and hydrate better after 16

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

HUGE elevation drop last 16, so train running downhills, or your quads will be toasted!

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Extremely, runs right next to a river that gets runoff from the ski resort

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Can be if you aren’t trained to run downhills

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Yes, usually sub 230 winner, and top 100 are around 3 hours.

Photo: David Colby Young

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Book lodging well ahead of reg opening, as it is a top 15 fastest course in the US, and a BQ course

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Every 2 miles, with porta johns peppered throughout. Gatorade/water available at every station, and gu at 9&17.

Weather and typical race conditions

Never know what you’ll get. have run this at high 20’s, and low 60’s.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Tons of scenic pulloffs for spectators.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

Hands down, a 10!

Big Sur Marathon Race Report – Seth Lapic

Race: Big Sur Marathon

Runner: Seth Lapic

Race Date: 04/30/2023

Location: Big Sur, California

Results: 3:32:16

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/8985849019

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

The views, the surrounding area, the challenge

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

Having to board busses at 3:30am then wait around a few hours after getting to the start with nowhere to warm up due to the crowding. Catching up to the 21 miler and 11 miler runners who were walking, possibly in a line, and having to navigate around them.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

Strict time cutoff.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

For a first marathon, it was certainly challenging. The hills were challenging but I was proud I powered through.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

You have to catch the busses early. There isn’t any room to warm up once you get to the start. I brought a hoodie to toss away at the start line but I wish I would have brought sweat pants as well as we were sitting on the ground in the cold for a few hours. Bathroom lines got very long, even 1+ hour prior to start time.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Wind had gusts up to 40mph. I lost a race bib magnet (I usually run with 3) with the wind gusts and had to hold onto my bib for fear of losing another one. Found someone with extra pins a few miles later. I’ll likely run with 4 magnets in the future and in high winds I’ll stick with race pins.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Knowing where the hills are located. There’s a few other race distances including 11 miler and 21 miler so you may catch up to those runners and have to navigate around them.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

One of the most beautiful you’ll ever find.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

The official website says the elevation gain is over 2,100 feet. The wind made that even harder.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Well run. They’ve been running it for over 35 years.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Results lists over 5,000 for the marathon.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Have to enter a lottery. We booked a house for our group within hours of the lottery results coming out but some of the homes we were looking at got rented out from under us during those few hours.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Seemed sufficient

Weather and typical race conditions

  • Clear skies but was very foggy with no views of the ocean the day prior. Wind was outrageous.
  • Temperature was high 40s to low/mid 50s.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

  • I carried an 11oz bottle in my running belt with electrolytes and didn’t make it halfway through it.
  • There were 12 aid stations which had water and Nuun. Many runners had full hydration vests which seemed like overkill as it wasn’t warm and there were plenty of aid stations.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

No where for spectators until the end.

How’s the Swag?

Hand made medal.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

Seeing as it’s my first marathon, it gets all the stars.

Boston Marathon Race Report – Brandon Tower

Race: 2023 Boston Marathon

Runner: Brandon Tower

Race Date: 04/17/2023

Location: Boston, MA

Results: 2:56

Strava Activity Link: https://strava.app.link/KOgakjL19yb

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  1. Taking part in something with such a rich tradition and significance to the running community
  2. Overwhelming crowd support
  3. Very well organized/executed event

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

Only thing, and this is nit-picking, it was difficult for family to see you more than once along the course. My family tried to get from Natick (mile 10) to the finish line in time to see me, but they weren’t able to make it on time

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

The 3/4 walk just to get to the start line. It makes warming up a little tricky, but there’s an element of it that’s fun too.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

Just taking moments to be intentional about appreciating and enjoying the fact that I was at the Boston Marathon. I ran as hard as I could, but made sure to have fun doing it.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

If you have a ride to Hopkinton in the morning, and don’t need gear check, getting dropped off at the Hopkinton shuttles is super easy and lets you sleep in a little longer.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

I might think about doing more training at goal marathon pace. I started cramping early in my calves, and wasn’t able to recover from there.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

The Newton hills during miles 17, 18, 20 and 21 aren’t crazy, but you’ll need something left in the tank for them.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Very much so, especially as you get to the back half of the course.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

It’s got the hills in Newton, but it’s not too bad. It’s got a lot more downhill than up.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

After 127 years, they know what they’re doing.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Eliud Kipchoge showed up, and finished 6th. That tells you all you need to know.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Runners generally need a qualifying marathon time. Once you’re in, don’t wait to book hotels and flights.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Tons of them. Every mile after mile 2.

Weather and typical race conditions

April in Boston has really random weather, and there’s no way to know what you’ll get. Could be anything.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

Bring clothes for any climate!

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

It’s hard to get around on race day, especially if they’re trying to get to the finish line. The portions of the course during the first half are a lot easier to move around through.

How’s the Swag?

Great shirts, and the expo has a ton of merchandise if you’re looking for more.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

It’s as good as it gets. I hope to do it again next year.

Paris Marathon Race Report – Doug Miller

Race: Paris Marathon

Runner: Doug Miller

Race Date: 04/02/2023

Location: Paris

Results: 3:59:26

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

What an epic way to see the historic sights of Paris! To have the streets shut down for you to go for a run and see all the monuments is amazing.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

The streets narrow down often. With the volume of runners, these pinch points make holding a cadence and pace difficult. It’s especially true during the back half of the race when heading back into the center of the city.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

The federal government protests and city garbage strike leading up to race day created some uncertainty before arrival, but the race organizers and city gov pulled it together for race day.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

The early part of the race, starting near the Arc De Triomphe, running along the Champs Elysees, past Place De La Concorde, Place Vendome, La Bastille, Louvre Museum…it’s like an architecture and history tour of Paris.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

I booked a great little independent hotel that was walking to distance to the start and even closer to the finish. It made race day logistics super simple.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

The waves of runners seem to pinch back together at various spots heading west back into the city center along the riverfront boulevards from 24km, on and off to the finish. If you’re going for a specific time, and you’re not in one of the early waves, you have to take this into account.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

There’s a stretch along the river with some tunnels and short hills, and large volumes of runners that takes some patience and energy.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Again, you just can’t beat having the streets of Paris shut down for you to take a run. Plus, I’d never been in the large Bois de Vincennes park on the east edge of Paris. It was quite nice to break up the city run with miles in the park.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Not a hugely difficult course. Just account for the tunnels with small hills along the Seine.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

The race is well run. They should consider if there are some routing or wave spacing improvements that could avoid some of the runner volume choke points along the route. They could take a page from NY marathon in getting large groups into corrals at start, and the mobile app experience could improve, but only small tweaks ahead.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

My first marathon in 20+ years was NYC in November of last year. The logistics here felt like a comparative breeze. To walk from the hotel to the start, and again return with just a short walk from the finish made me question whether I’d ever do a point-to-point race like NY again.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Every 5k like clockwork

Weather and typical race conditions

The weather was cloudy and 50-degrees, with a few light sprinkles of rain. Great for this Seattle-based runner.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

I brought a goodwill fleece jacket with a hood for the start area. As you progress toward the start line, there are volunteers in the middle collecting such gear and it made it easy to stay warm right up to the start.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

My daughter came along as support. She learned the metro system and with some planning met me in several spots along the route. She said the metro was packed with spectators and families doing the same, so that’s worth keeping in mind. With a little more planning, and maybe some coaching from a local, we may have picked a few different locations. Overall, she had a great time chasing me around in Paris.

How’s the Swag?

Shirts handed out at finish rather than expo before. I wear my long sleeve from NY race for running all the time. This bright yellow short sleeve will probably end up in a drawer. Not as nice.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

4.5 stars — with 5+ stars for the experience of running in the streets of Paris, especially the early miles

REVEL Mt Charleston Race Report – Nicole Thome

Race: REVEL Mt Charleston Marathon

Runner: Coach Nicole Thome

Race Date: 04/01/2023

Location: Las Vegas, NV

Results: 3:50:11

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/8814708958

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  1. Since it’s a downhill course, it’s wicked fast!
  2. Exceptionally well-organized
  3. Free photos/video

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

Though I like the early 6 am start, the bus loading times are brutal — 3:15 – 4:15 am. The ride up the canyon is about 45 minutes. This means a fair amount of time standing around in a pretty small staging around in VERY cold temps! If you’re considering the half marathon, the staging area is much bigger and bus loading times are a bit more forgiving (it’s still pretty cold, though)

Note: this year it was a particularly cold/snowy season for Mt Charleston — starting temps were around 28 degrees. Fortunately, it was a lovely 60-ish for the finish.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

Not really a “weird” thing but something that is different for this race (and most REVEL races) is the disparity in temps from start to finish. Because all of their races start up a canyon, it can be VERY cold. It isn’t unusual for temps to rise as a race goes on but for REVEL races, you need to be prepared and dressed for upwards of 30-40 degree temp swing from start to finish. Layers are key.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

I PR’d by nearly 7 mins and Boston Qualified with a nearly 5 min cushion.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

  • Dress for the finish but layer up for the start
  • Bring throw away clothes to stay warm at the start
  • This course runs downhill at approx 4% grade for 20 miles, you MUST incorporate a fair amount of downhill training into your plan or your quads will be TOAST!

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

I went into it pretty prepared but I can’t emphasize enough: downhill training is key!

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

The course is a steady downhill for nearly 21 miles. The first half is exceptionally fast. Collectively, it’s around 4% grade.

Most courses, you want to aim for even or negative splits. For a course like this, where the first half is WAY FASTER than the second half, you can and should expect positive splits. Build some cushion in by running the FIRST HALF at least 20-30 seconds FASTER than your normal goal pace (ie, the pace you’d run on a regular/flat course). The last 10k of this course is still net downhill (approx 1.2%) but after pounding your quads downhill for 20 miles, it will feel flat (and there’s a slight but steady incline at mile 24). Don’t be discouraged if you’re running over goal pace at this point. This is why you want to build the cushion.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Very much so!

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Depends on if you’ve trained for the downhill pounding. “Gravity-assisted” courses are a lot of fun. But, as mentioned above, pace management is important. Particularly since this one “flattens out” (seemingly) in the last 10k — which makes it feel harder after the fast downhill.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Very well organized. Plenty of aid stations with water and Nuun.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

I think so since it’s known for being a fast course.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Pretty standard fare. Water, Nuun and Gu.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

Layer for the start — I always wear the same thing for races regardless of temperature (shorts and crop top) but for a race like this I’ll add arm sleeves and throw-away mittens. You are running EAST into the rising sun so sunglasses are helpful (I forgot mine; wore a visor but wish I had the sunnies).

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Not so much. Hard for spectators to get up the canyon. There are plenty of spots in the last 5-6 miles though thru the neighborhood.

How’s the Swag?

REVEL is always good swag! The shirts are nice quality (choice of short or long sleeve) and they always give either a hat or socks. This year was a hat. They also provide free photos.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

5 out of 5

Nicole Thome is a coach with Team RunRun. To learn more about her or to work with her, check out her coach profile.

The Drift 28 Miler Run Race Report – Dandelion Dilluvio-Scott

Photo: Rob Tolley

Race: The Drift – 28 Miler Run

Runner: Coach Dandelion Dilluvio-Scott

Race Date: 03/12/2023

Location: Cora, WY

Results: 1st place female, 7th overall, 8:00:52

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

–The weather/snow conditions: It’s probably surprising to find a -25F windchill and sloppy snow mentioned as aspects of the race that I liked the most! However, I registered for this event because it is known for unforgiving and brutal conditions. I wanted to run in harsh, winter weather and I was not disappointed!

–The athletes: The Drift has three divisions: bike, ski and run. We all competed at the same time on the course. It was awesome to see athletes of different disciplines all with the same goal: surviving to the finish! No one method of locomotion was superior over the other. It depended on the section of the course we were in and there was a lot of leap frogging throughout the day. The tenacity of every athlete was inspiring to witness as we all contended with the elements.

— Location: This was a local race for me. I am simply in love the rugged beauty of the Wind River Range, the relentless terrain and crazy weather.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

I didn’t much care for my water freezing despite my insulated containers… but that was also part of the charm of the race and added to the overall excitement!

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

I wouldn’t consider the race weird in any way. I think it is unique in that it takes place on the Continental Divide during the Wyoming winter when conditions are always guaranteed to be challenging if not completely heinous!

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

I love running in extreme environments and this race 100% fit that description! I not only enjoyed the conditions on the course, but also the creativity involved in coming up with specific training for the race. I exposed myself to a variety of winter challenges during training including waiting to run in the evening when the temperature dropped and timing some runs to coincide with winter storms. My preparation was brutal and, therefore, when race day presented less than ideal circumstances I had the confidence to plow through without much of an afterthought.

I was also very happy with my sweat monitoring. I practiced a lot of layer transitions during training to make sure I had everything dialed. I did two clothing swaps during the race right when I felt like I was heating up and sweat would soon follow. I got the combination correct both times. I don’t think I had any appreciable sweat during the race which is crucial to preventing exposure (more on that later).

Finally, I was pleased with my walk/run decisions and pacing. In snow, even if you can run, sometimes it makes a lot more sense to walk for efficiency and energy savings. What’s the point of exhausting yourself by running 17 minute miles if you can hike at 18 minute miles and feel fresh(er)? I ran about 90% of the first half of the race and switched to about 90% walking during the second half which included most of the climbing and slushier snow conditions. My intensity remained at RPE 7-10 throughout the race regardless of my pace. This was the most intense pacing I’d ever utilized during a race and I am pleased that I pushed myself until the end; in fact my fastest split was the last one!

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

Monitor your sweat very closely and adjust layers accordingly on this frigid course. If you allow sweat to build up, when you finally do make an adjustment you will freeze if so much as a gentle breeze sweeps across the damp fabric. Remember that running and walking creates airflow so this can happen even on a calm day. Test what clothes will work for you in different conditions during training so your layering system is dialed.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

I would put hot water in my insulated containers and keep the hydration hose on the inside of my jacket (and, yes, the hose was also insulated!). I am still not sure why this happened on race day, but not during training. Maybe it was the duration of -25F windchill!

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Plan your race specific training runs to be in a variety of snow surface conditions and during different times of day. Also, make an effort to train in winter extremes including high winds, negative temperatures, snowstorms and intense sun exposure. Of course, make sure you know how to train safely in these harsh conditions as well before venturing out! The risk of exposure is very real both during the race and while training for it.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

We were lucky to run this course on a bluebird day! Awesome views of Green River and the Wind River Range throughout the event. The race is also in a winter wildlife protected area, so you could potentially encounter elk, moose, wolves and bears, though I saw none. This adds to the wild beauty of the miles.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

The course difficulty varies from year to year. The temperature can be in the 20s, snow consolidated and wind mild. Having the luxury of perfect weather is unlikely in the Winds this time of year though and some difficulty due to the extreme environment is likely to be encountered. For example, race day for me featured the following:

  • Start temperature was -4F, 20mph headwinds and a -25F degree windchill
  • By the time I was climbing it had warmed up to 8 degrees and I was fighting the power of the intense winter sun
  • Snow surface conditions, though somewhat recently groomed, were mostly soft and mushy due to the recent storm that deposited about a foot of snow on the course two days prior

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

The race directors put on a very well-organized event and made sure all the runners were safe in these risky winter conditions.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

This is a small race with multiple distances and three divisions: run, bike and ski. Not many folks are interested in registering for a race in the harsh Wyoming winter so the fields are small. However, almost every year there seems to be a few elite athletes who register in one or more distances/disciplines and impossible looking times are often posted.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Due to the extreme nature of a winter race not many folks sign up for any of the distances or divisions, so there is no need to rush. Lodging can easily be found in nearby Pinedale, WY. The 100-mile version of this race does require previous winter travel experience.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

You are expected to be 100% self-sufficient on this course with the exception of water. There are no drop bags and aid stations do not make any promises in regards to fare. There were two aid stations which both had sweet & salty snacks and water when I arrived. Aid station 2 also offered hot cocoa with electrolytes mixed in!

Weather and typical race conditions

The nature of this course varies not only year to year, but also week to week. Snow conditions are constantly evolving during the winter. There is no real way of knowing what you might find on race day until a week prior. Then you can look ahead in the forecast and somewhat predict what the precipitation and freeze/thaw cycle that week might do to the track. Regardless that is still only a guess! Grooming is another wild card. The course is on a snowmobile track, but there is no real way of knowing when it will be groomed and how many times snowmobiles will have used the track before the race. Also groomers can break down! Temperatures, precipitation and wind are also mysteries that can vary greatly and won’t be known until a few days before the race… but the forecasting can be way off at times! Therefore, the runner must be prepared for multiple scenarios on race day.

Photo: Damien Scott

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

A versatile layering system that has been tested in different winter conditions is an absolute must. This will vary from person to person. I also recommend very dark sunglasses, hand-warmers, a face covering, gaiters and mittens. For the 28 mile distance, the race directors require insulated water containers, puffy coat, hat, gloves, blinkie light and nutrition that will last throughout the race.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Spectators are allowed at the start/finish, but not along the course. Reminder that any friends and family at the start/finish will get cold without lots of insulating layers!

How’s the Swag?

Functional which I love! They gave us socks and hot sauce! First place finishers also got a mug.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

If you are strategic, like the cold and relish suffering in extreme environments this is an excellent race and I rate it 10/10! This is not the race for the fair-weather runner or someone inexperienced with remote winter travel.

Dandelion Dilluvio-Scott is a coach with Team RunRun. To learn more about her or to work with her, check out her coach profile.

Deception Pass Marathon Race Report – Michael Linscott

Race: Deception Pass Marathon

Runner: Michael Linscott

Race Date: 03/11/2023

Location: Deception Pass, WA

Results: https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=97667

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/8698364345/overview

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  • One of the prettiest courses around.
  • Super well organized and lots of aid stations.
  • Perfect weather.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

  • At mile 16 of the marathon the course joins up with the half marathon and suddenly the course becomes very crowded.
  • Lots of the course is small out and backs along single-track trails. This causes a lot of congestion and stopping to let other runners pass.
  • The line for a burger at the finish line was super long.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

  • A lot of the course is part of an out and back, or repeated.
  • Crossing Deception Pass Bridge is no joke. Especially with a decent side-wind and cars passing by. Not for the faint of heart, but beautiful.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

Good weather, chilly to start but just right once we got into the woods. The marathoners spread out pretty quickly and for the first 16 or so miles I was running by myself for most of it. The aid stations are well placed and spaced out just right so I didn’t need to carry anything besides a hand-held.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

There are lots of short, steep climbs so be prepared. And the second half has a lot of rocky and rooty sections that are not easy.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

A 7am start meant getting up at 4am to drive to the start. Usually I’d stay the night close to the race at Lake Campbell. So waking up early, driving, and trying to get some calories in before the start didn’t work great and the first few miles of the race my body was super sluggish.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Don’t get frustrated with the stopping and starting along the out-and-backs during the second half of the race.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

It is one of the prettiest courses in the PNW. You start running along the coast and then up to a beautiful vista at Goose Point. Then miles 7-14 are in a nice lush forest. You cross Deception Pass Bridge, twice, which is spectacular. Then the later miles are out to small points with views of the bays and the ocean, bald eagles, kayakers and sometimes seals.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

There are a few short, steep climbs and the rockyness makes parts of it not super runnable but none of it is difficult.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Very well organized, lots of volunteers, well communicated, well marked trails, etc.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

There were a few very fast runners, but for the most part it was pretty chill as far as “competition”.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Nothing special, I don’t think it even sold out. Lots of lodging on the island as well as a few minutes further in Anacortes. Lots of parking at the start, you just need a Discovery Pass.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

There was quite a bit for everyone at the aid stations. GUs, tailwind, Coke etc as well as your standard snacks.

Weather and typical race conditions

March along the coast is going to be chilly, but the fog burned off and the sun came out later in the race. I think even if it was rainy, most of the course is pretty sheltered by trees. There were a few pretty muddy spots, but nothing horrible.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

I only carried a hand-held, the aid stations were spaced well and stocked great. The trails are rocky in spots so I’d recommend cushy shoes.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

It isn’t that great for spectators, there are maybe 4 or so spots to see your runner. But on the other hand, it is a great place to go explore and enjoy the park while your runner is out there. Lots of trails to hike/run, on and off the course.

How’s the Swag?

Meh, we all got a race medal that said “Marathon and Half Marathon”. I guess I’d rather pay a bit less and not get the medal or pay a touch more and get one specifically for the distance I ran. But some people don’t mind.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

Five out of five stars. Fun trails, well run and that spectacular, coastal scenery.

Sequalitchew Trail Marathon Race Report – Derek Siebert

Race: Sequalitchew Trail Marathon

Runner: Derek Siebert

Race Date: 03/04/2023

Location: DuPont, WA

Results: 3:55 4th of 37

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/8660130876

Photo: Takao Suzuki

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

Well organized and well marked course. Lots of intersections so you do have to pay attention. Really supportive runners, volunteers and race staff. It’s a lollipop course so you get to see full, half and 10k runners multiple times. Great scenery in several parts of the course and nearly all of it is very runnable. Hot soup at the end was awesome on a dreary day.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

Smaller field meant lots of time running alone.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

When you run on the beach, the rocks are very difficult to run on. Fortunately it’s only for a couple hundred yards. Enjoy the view while you’re down there!

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

I jumped in last minute as a training race with the goal of negative splitting. I missed this by a couple minutes, but still happy with the even effort. Wasn’t wrecked at end so that’s always a bonus.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

The first couple miles and the tunnel miles you can run pretty freely. The uphill switchbacks are steep, but only take a couple minutes. No reason to kill yourself here. Power hike and have something to eat and get back at it.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Not much I would have done differently. Make sure you wear trail shoes to have any confidence on the single track and downhill portions. It wasn’t muddy, but road shoes would have been dicey.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Course is marked with ribbons and flour with directional arrows and X’s. Pay attention. It’s well marked, but if you don’t see a flag for awhile, you went the wrong way. Look for the X’s on the ground and don’t cross over them!

Photo: Takao Suzuki

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Both on the beach, on top in the neighborhoods and through the tree tunnel were all enjoyable to run. A few neighborhood crossings that aren’t monitored, but no traffic to deal with.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

If you’re trained for a road marathon, it can be a tough course. If you’ve done some trail prep, then it’s not technical or steep with only 2000′ in the full marathon.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Organized by Run Super on the old DuPont Marathon route. First time they’ve been the race organizer for this course and it was very well organized, as usual. One aid station on course and one at start/finish line so much more of an ultra type spacing vs. a road marathon. Great photos for free, good food/drink, nice medal and t-shirt included.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

A lot more people registered for the half, but with only 37 for the full it was pretty spread out. Most of the racing was done in the first half as people settled into their paces.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Very easy to get into. Just register. Local race and plenty of free parking. Can get out of your vehicle 10 minutes before race.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Pretty standard fare, but nice to have warm soup at the end!

Weather and typical race conditions

At race start it was 35 degrees with a rain/snow mix. Precipitation stopped after about an hour. Plan for a long, wet day.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

Trail shoes and dress to stay warm.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

The full is 2 loops so there is some opportunity. But I don’t think I saw a single spectator on course or at end. You’ll be sharing trails with walkers, runners etc.

How’s the Swag?

Standard T-Shirt and nice medal.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

4/5 stars. It’s a great way to not have to run alone for a long run. I think the half would be fun to race.

Hyannis Marathon Race Report – Keith Nadeau

Race: Hyannis Marathon

Runner: Coach Keith Nadeau

Race Date: 03/05/2023

Location: Hyannis, MA

Results: 2nd place OA – 2:41:20

Strava Activity Link: https://strava.app.link/hyhTOBUP6xb

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

The course is beautiful! Some beachfronts and backroads out on picturesque Cape Cod. The marathon is two loops of the half marathon course, so it is kind of nice to know whats ahead on the second time around. Lastly, the people are great. Very supportive community of runners, and even had Frank Shorter to send us off and greet runners post race!

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

The only thing I didn’t love was that it started at 10am on Sunday. I prefer Saturday races to have the Sunday to relax before going back to work, but it is what it is!

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

The 10km, half marathon, marathon relay, and marathon all start at the same time. So right off the start it is a a mix of everyone trying to find their groove. The first loop was filled with people, second loop nobody around.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

This was a marathon PR for me! I eased in nicely, then maybe went a bit too fast for miles 14 to 18 which led to a tough last few miles. I was happy to have not fallen off pace too much grinding it out to the finish. Also, we got extremely lucky with the weather today! The day before had high winds and rain/sleet, but this day was sunny and mild winds.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

This course has some sneaky hills mixed throughout. I had done a course preview a few weeks prior so knew that going into it, and made sure I didn’t overwork myself on the hills. Other than that the beachfronts can be very windy, so similar to the hills trying to relax through them instead of tensing up and straining.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Stay steady through the middle! I think I would have had a faster time had I stayed more steady in the middle and finished stronger. Tough game to play with marathons distance and I think I was close to my best execution.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Two loops, can be windy, crowded start but lonely finish.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Very pretty course!

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Not too hard, but the hills and wind keeps you honest! Not the fastest course but also not extremely difficult.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

This event has been going on for a long time and is organized very well!

Competition – Is there a strong field?

This race doesn’t see a very competitive field compared to bigger marathons. Some fast locals out there but not many.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Easy to get in, and a Boston Qualifying race which got me in for 2024 with this year!

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Plentiful water stops. They had water and blue Gatorade which actually was very nice to switch things up a few times throughout the race.

Weather and typical race conditions

It’s late winter in New England, so weather could pretty much be anything! This year it was about as good as it gets.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

With the warm ish weather I went with shorts, upper base layer and TRR jersey, light gloves, a hat and sunglasses. Also, first time running in the Hoka Carbon x2 which worked very well.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

First loop many spectators, second loop it thins out a good amount. Easy to spectate many different locations.

How’s the Swag?

The race comes with a nice athletic long sleeve. They have many other options you can add on, and some cool free things in the race expo before and after race including a full gear shop for last minute purchases!

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

I would give this race a 4 out of 5 star rating. Overall it is a great race and run very well!

Keith Nadeau is a coach with Team RunRun. To learn more about him or to work with him, check out his coach profile.

Run Through Time Marathon Race Report – Jacob R

Photo: Daniel Flanders

Race: Run Through Time

Runner: Jacob R

Race Date: 03/11/2023

Location: Salida, CO

Results: 5hrs 59mins 57S

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

The race has Beautiful scenery, it is a very low key race with no fancy metals or big swag bags, the course was really fun

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

The food at the finish.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

The town of Salida

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

I fueled really well and was able to push myself better than I have in other trail races

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

Pack layers and be prepared for unpredictable weather

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Don’t be stubborn and apply sunscreen if I need to.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

The back half of the course is loaded with very technical trails. Even though it’s a forest road it was very technical and challenging to run down

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

The course is gorgeous. The Collegiate Range and Salida never disappoint

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

It is a difficult and challenging course. The is usually some ice an snow at the higher elevations.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

The map the publish for the course and the course directions are not very clear. However, the course is very well marked and the had a lot of markings at every major intersection. Packet pickup was very clear and everything else was very well organized.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Yes. It attracts some very fast runners.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Logistics are easy. Lodging fills up fast and the run fills up fast too.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Very standard trail run food. Electrolytes, goo, chips, candy etc.

Weather and typical race conditions

Weather can be extremely variable. It thundersnowed for the first 2hrs. It then turned to blue bird skys

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

I brought layers and a rain jacket along. I found my poles very useful

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

No. There is good spectating at the start but the race coordinator ask to keep the spectators to a minimum in the more remote areas of the course

How’s the Swag?

You get socks for entering. And a nice card for finishing. This race is purposefully swag light.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

8/10. It’s a fantastic race

Toyko Marathon Race Report – Kim-Anh Nguyen

Race: Tokyo Marathon 2023

Runner: Kim-Anh Nguyen

Race Date: 03/05/2023

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Results: 4:02:29

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  • The organization
  • The volunteers
  • The course

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

  • The expo (super disorganized and chaotic!)
  • The lack of info leading up to the race
  • The many restrictions we had to abide with

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

Was able to keep my breathing easy

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

Like for any other race, don’t go out too fast because of all the excitement!

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Start way slower

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

  • The first 5km are downhill, so take your time. Also, the GPS signal isn’t accurate because of the tall buildings, so for people that use a watch to pace themselves, maybe wear a time wristband
  • They have pretty severe cut-off points along the course. If you don’t get to those points by a certain time, the bus sweeps you and you don’t get to finish. I think the max time to complete the race is 7hrs (GUN time)

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Yes!

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Mainly flat with very short uphills

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Race day was so smooth! Before was another story

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Getting into the Tokyo Marathon is notoriously difficult. I went through via charity

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

15 aid stations with Pocari Sweat offered every 5km. Some food and candy at some points, but didn’t want to try anything new. Very well organized.

Weather and typical race conditions

Was a nice cool day, cloudy with some sun. Windy at some points.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

No water bottles allowed into the race. Nothing. Have to rely on the course aid stations.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Yes!

How’s the Swag?

The medal is beautiful

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

9/10, definitely recommend (aside from the expo)

Mesa Marathon Race Report – David Ha

Photo: Mesa Marathon Photographer. Official Race Photo

Race: Mesa Marathon

Runner: David Ha

Race Date: 02/04/2023

Location: Mesa, AZ

Results: 3:03:55

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/8504948347

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  1. Point to point downhill course that is good for a PR or BQ attempt. The downhill is not as dramatic as the ‘Revel’ series so it does not beat you up.
  2. Seeing the sun rise in the desert.
  3. Good size marathon that is neither too big nor too small

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

  1. Aside from the beginning, which is in complete darkness the race is through residential and commercial neighborhoods.
  2. Not a lot of shade in the second half of the race, so it can get pretty warm

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

Starts before sunrise so the first 1.5 miles is in the dark. You need to pay attention to your surroundings and other runners. One runner tripped over another within the first five minutes.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

I ran a PR by 6m25s. I stuck to the race strategy that my coach and I devised until I could not hold on at mile 24

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

Do not start too fast in the beginning even though it is downhill. Learn to run by effort/feel. Do not try to run the same pace at mile 5 and 6, where the course turns uphill because you will go back downhill for the next 12 miles.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Still trying to figure how to avoid hitting a wall late in a marathon

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Knowing the elevation changes of the course will help you formulate a good race strategy.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

The most aesthetic part of the course is the first several miles, which are in the dark

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Not a tough course, but the downhills can wreak havoc if one does not have experience running downhill

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Very well organized from communication before the race, live stream on FB, Expo was well run, and race day logistics were very good.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Good competition unless you are very fast or sub-elite runner. I had someone to run with the entire time.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Race does not sell out, but prices do increase closer to the race. They have an early bird and Black Friday discount. Although registering early may get you the best price. Hotels are easy to come by unless you want to stay one of the two hotels at the finish line

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Standard number of aid stations. Five aid stations had GU Gel, which is different than other marathons that may only provide one. I had my own gels. The aid stations spacing between Gatorade and water could use more distance and perhaps more people handing out drinks.

Weather and typical race conditions

Starting temps in the high 40s/low 50s. Probably a 5 – 7 degree temperature difference between starting and finishing depending on the time one finishes

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

I wore a singlet, half tights, arm sleeves, and gloves at the start. They had heaters at the start line and provided gloves, arm sleeves, and a warming blanket at the expo. One can also stay on the bus to keep warm until the race starts.

I took off my glove after a mile and rolled down my arm sleeves about 75 minutes in

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Yes and no, plenty of areas for spectactors since it goes through residential neighborhoods, but not really since it is point to point course. Spectators may only be able to see you at a couple of locations

How’s the Swag?

Thought this was excellent. T-shirt, arm sleeves, gloves, warming blanket, good medal, printed finishers card, free full resolution race photos, personalized race video, a Mesa to BOS luggage tag for qualifiers. Although not swag, they offered free sport therapy (stretching) and massages at the finish line.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it

5/5: I recommend this race to anyone looking to run a PR or a BQ time. It is well organized. The only drawback for me is having to train through the MN winter

Dopey Challenge Race Report – Lydia Schrandt

Race: Dopey Challenge

Runner: Lydia Schrandt

Race Date: 01/05/2023

Location: Orlando, Florida

Results: Finished!

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  1. Getting to run down Main Street and through the castle when it’s all lit up in the early morning hours — it really is magical.
  2. All the nostalgic Disney tunes along the course.
  3. The costumes. More than half of participants dress up, and some of the outfits are amazingly creative.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

Running Dopey means waking up at around 2:30am for four days in a row and spending a fair amount of time waiting in the Epcot parking lot and walking a couple of miles to the corrals before the races even begin. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, just part of the experience that’s worth being aware of.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

If you’re not too fast, you can hop on rides during the marathon. I was able to ride Expedition Everest, Tower of Terror, Rockin’ Rollercoaster, and Test Track while racing. The cast members were all wonderful and let runners go in the single rider or lightening lane to get on and off rides more quickly. You’ll also find character photo ops throughout the course, and it’s pretty common to buy a drink or a snack in Epcot to carry across the finish line. At Disney Races, it’s better to go for a DPR (Disney PR), which means a slower time because you took advantage of the on-course fun. Some runners even compete to see how much they can cram in without getting swept. This year, one guy rode eight rides and had a sit-down breakfast at a restaurant along the course while still finishing within the time limit.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

I got to run the 10k with my dad and the half marathon with my brother (his first), which was fun. Getting on a rollercoaster in the middle of a race was certainly a highlight as well.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

If you want to DPR by taking advantage of rides/food/character stops, join the Ultimate Dopey Challenge Facebook group. The administrator knows all the ins and outs and gives great advice about where you need to be when to maximize course fun. I found it helpful to stay on property, as then you can take advantage of race buses to and from the start line. I’d rather drag myself onto a bus at 3am than have to drive in and deal with race day traffic. I also spent some time in the parks each day after the race. I think that helped keep my legs feeling loose despite the accumulated miles.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

I ended up spending about an hour waiting in the corrals each morning, and two mornings were pretty chilly. I packed throw-away sweats (Disney collects and donates these) as well as mylar blankets, but I was jealous of runners who brought cushions from the dollar store to sit on. The pavement was cold!

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

These races attract runners of all ages and abilities, and since it goes through the parks, it can be narrow and crowded at some points. Expect for the first couple of miles to be a bit slow. If you want the best race photos, keep an eye out for the course photographers sitting in little green tents to either side of the course.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

The portions between parks are not particularly scenic, but Disney does a good job of making up for it with entertainment, including live music, big screens showing movie clips, and stops for character photos. Running through the parks is pretty fun.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

No. It’s mostly pancake flat with the exception of a few overpasses. There are some sections that are not well lit, and it can get congested at times.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Yes, Disney does their thing, and they do it well. The volunteers are top notch, as well.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

It’s a pretty big field, with some 16,000 participants in the marathon. The marathon winner this year finished in 2:26:51.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Registration typically takes place in the spring for the next January race weekend. In recent years, the races have sold out in a matter of minutes. While the race organization is excellent, the registration experience is often frustrating. I ended up waiting in the virtual queue for nearly four hours before they managed to get the site working and open registration. If you get a spot, it’s a good idea to book your hotel right away, especially if you’re planning to stay at a Disney hotel. The races tend to happen on the first weekend in January, so you’re competing with New Year crowds. Florida schools are sometimes still off, as well.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Typically water and Powerade every 1.5 miles. There were two spots on the course with bananas, two with sports beans, and one place giving out dark chocolate. The medical tents are also well stocked. Volunteers there are ready with biofreeze and popsicle sticks with vasaline on them.

Weather and typical race conditions

It’s highly variable. It was in the 70s and humid for the 5k and 47 degrees for the half. We had 54-degree temperatures at the start of the marathon, but by the end, it was well into the 70s. Prepare for anything!

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

It’s Disney, so have fun with it.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Friends and family have several options for places to cheer you on, including along Main Street in the Magic Kingdom before it opens. The finish line is in the Epcot parking lot and typically has seating.

How’s the Swag?

Usually pretty awesome. For the Dopey challenge, you get medals for each of the four races, plus a medal for the Goofy Challenge (half and full) and a medal for the Dopey Challenge. You also get six shirts, typically long-sleeved and made of a technical material.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

9/10, particularly if Disney holds any nostalgia for you. It’s a race experience you really won’t find anywhere else.

CIM Marathon Race Report – Ava Sorell

Race: California International Marathon

Runner: Ava Sorell

Race Date: 12/04/2022

Location: Sacramento, CA

Results: https://www.athlinks.com/event/3241/results/Event/1036173/Course/2307831/Bib/5753s

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/8208282980

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

Start line bathrooms are a clusterf***

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

The downhills can sneak up on you if you haven’t done any downhill training in the block leading up to the race.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

I was targeting sub 2:45. Though I missed that goal due to my quads locking up at the end, I still ran a 13 minute PR and managed to gut out the last 2k at my original goal pace.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

(also lesson for self) I knew the course was mostly flat/downhill, so I didn’t do a lot of hill training. I was on pace to run a 2:43, but my quads locked up at mile 18 because the pounding downhills at sub-6 pace were too much stress on my quads over that duration, which resulted in a 2:49 as I slowed by 45 seconds per mile the last 10k.

In hindsight, I would have done more specific strength work, and more workouts with downhills that I was running at least moderately hard on.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Don’t rely on the busses to get you to the start time on time. Have a friend drop you off at the start line shuttle at least an hour before your race.

Our bus got lost and dropped us only 24 minutes before the race (if your bus is late, you will not get a refund). The bathroom lines were 20+ people deep (the worst I’ve ever seen), and I only had time for a quarter mile warm up and a single chance at the restroom (which bit me later as I had to stop along the course to use the restroom).

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

The course is mostly through neighborhoods and lined with deciduous trees in full autumn color.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

The course is not tough, provided you train for the roller downhills so your muscles don’t lock up like mine. The trees and houses mean the course has practically no wind.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Considering our bus got lost and the bathroom lines were a 20 minute wait…. For a course that prizes itself on setting personal records, this was dissatisfactory.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

The field was extremely competitive. I didn’t even finish in the top 100 women with a time of 2:49. 42 women hit the OTQ (Olympic Trials Qualifier) of sub-2:37

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

You’ll want to book your hotel in advance and make sure you have private transport to the shuttle instead of relying on the busses.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

Bring throw away clothes to the start line and shed them as you go.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

The course is generally accessible, but since it’s point to point, spectators can realistically only see you twice.

CIM Race Report – Jarrod Ottman

Race: California International Marathon

Runner: Jarrod Ottman

Race Date: 12/04/2022

Location: Sacramento, California

Results: https://track.rtrt.me/e/CRRM-CIM-2022#/tracker/RL7E9HFK

Strava Activity Link: https://strava.app.link/REnIRDNowvb

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

I loved the course, had the perfect mix of hills and flats. The atmosphere, it was electric throughout the whole race.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

I fueled perfectly. Raced the plan to best extent. Started comfortable and cut down. I blazed through the last 10K like I was supposed to and felt comfortable and great 22 miles.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

Use your fuel. Don’t use so much that you’re full and uncomfortable but utilize what you got.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

I can go out conservative, but don’t hold back too much and hold off your potential fitness. Race to what you know!

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

It was a great course! A lot of spectators.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

It was organized.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

This year was USATF National Marathon Championships so it was a very elite field.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

The aid stations were amazing. Not only do you get your water but you get Nuun, Gu/Gels. Very helpful for someone who does not have their own bottles on the table.

Weather and typical race conditions

Weather usually seems to be 40 mid, this time the course was wet from rain but it held off during the race.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Very friendly spectator course.

How’s the Swag?

Cool shirts nice medals and small and decent post race jacket

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

5!

Revel Big Bear Marathon Race Report – Younes Sennadj

Race: Revel Big Bear

Runner: YOUNES SENNADJ

Race Date: 11/12/2022

Location: San Bernardino, CA

Results: 2:55:36 – PR & BQ – 71/1890 overall

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/8107977525

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  • Downhill
  • Very well organized – aid stations & markers

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

Buses to the startline

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

Very cold at the start, temperature rises after

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Race management is key.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

Alphafly Next % 2

Revel Big Bear Marathon Race Report – Kyle Robinson

Race: Revel Big Bear

Runner: Kyle Robinson

Race Date: 11/12/2022

Location: Redlands, CA

Results: 3:07:28

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

Beautiful course, substantial downhill, well organized.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

It’s hard for spectators to cheer, they really can only be at the finish. Thankfully the race starts early so by the time most of your family is up and out the door it is time for the finish anyway.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

3:30 AM bus loading!

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

The course is sneaky. It is a net 4,300 foot downhill but the first 8 miles have rolling hills at 6,600 feet of elevation. The course favors patience, if you go with what the course gives you the reward is a screaming negative split.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

Take the first several miles easy. Once you hit the decline you have many miles to make up for the slower start. Also this is a quad killer. Whatever you are doing for leg day double it and then double it again! Seriously. Two days post race and my quads are still on fire.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

More leg days. Also, due to the cool temperature I didn’t drink enough water at the first few aid stations. At mile 24 that caught up with me! The dry and thinner air were a bit deceptive!

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

The hills on mile 2, 4, 6, and 8 aren’t bad. But they are there. Given the elevation and what is to come go easy over those. When the course drops go with it.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Beautiful. It honestly might be one of the most beautiful courses I’ve run. The first two miles are pre-dawn and you are in the mountain woods with stars everywhere. Then the rollers through the mountains at sunrise is inspiring and downhill is scenic until mile 15 or so. Then it is so-so but you are still enjoying the downhill so the most beautiful part of that section of the course is your mile split!

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

It’s sneaky. The first several miles should be managed. If you haven’t prepped your legs the downhill would be brutal but if you’ve done the work it is a wonderful course.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

It was fairly well organized. They started a bit late due to a few late buses and could have benefited from better signs at the bus loading but their email communication was great and as long as you read what they send you will be ready to go.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

It’s a fast course with good pacing groups and some shift runners. Great course for a PR.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Try to find a hotel near the bus loading area. We were only 4 miles away but given the early start time that proved to be a little annoying on the morning of the race. Some folks staying nearby just walked over which would have been better!

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

They had Powerbar Power gels…who knew Powerbar was still around??!! Good luck finding that at your local running store!

Weather and typical race conditions

Cool and dry…the start is chilly, bring a shirt to toss.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

Leg day. Honestly, the downhill running is no joke.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

No, this is the one bummer of the course.

How’s the Swag?

Awesome. Good shirt and a surprise with a great hat!

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

Highly recommend! 4.5/5