Snohomish Marathon Race Report – Matt Urbanski

Marathon

snohomish marathon race report

Snohomish Marathon Race Report – Matt Urbanski

snohomish marathon race report
Space Cat Taco in full effect

Race: Snohomish River Run Marathon

Runner: Matt Urbanski

Date: 10/15/17

Location: Snohomish, WA

Results: 2:32:05, 1st place and PR!

3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most

  • It is a flat and fast course. I set a new PR and was able to stay in a steady rhythm the entire run.
  • The weather was absolutely beautiful and perfect for racing – 40s at the start, creeping into the 50s by the time I finished. It was a clear, crisp autumn day. Awesome!
  • I loved the small town feel. There was a good deal of out and back so there was lots of cheering from other racers which added to the race camaraderie. Plus, I was wearing Space Cat Taco so I was getting some extra love from my fellow runners out there!

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

Twice at turns I briefly went the wrong way. Not a huge deal b/c the volunteers yelled quickly and got me on the correct path, but the jolting stop/turn/accelerate is not something that feels good 16 miles into a race. I know I could be paying attention better so it’s mainly on me, and the fact that this is the only downside I can think of for the entire race is super positive.

Weird factor – what’s the weirdest thing about this race

This isn’t about the race but about my nutrition. I went by feel and literally only drank one swig of water the entire race, and I took in no calories. I wasn’t thirsty and I wasn’t feeling low energy or hungry. It was awesome and totally a first for me. I didn’t plan well and didn’t have my marathon-favorite PowerGels for the race. I wasn’t excited to choke down any of the Gu that I was carrying so that likely contributed to my not eating anything, but I simply didn’t feel the need the entire race. Shows how perfect the weather was that I wasn’t thirsty either!

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

I set a new PR by almost two minutes! I also stayed steady the entire run with minimal slowdown overall. I may have even netted a small negative split! I felt in control of my run throughout, was not stressing or pushing through 16, and only around 18 did I start to feel the accumulated fatigue building up. That aspect of my run didn’t start getting really real until after mile 21 and even though I could feel my body wearing down, it stayed strong all the way home. Really encouraging.

Lessons Learned – share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner or yourself on the next time around

  • Eat and drink to thirst and hunger. I am glad I went with this and didn’t bother messing with any gels or the water stops along the way. Cool part of my race for sure. Caveat: I’ve been practicing with racing and fueling for a long time and feel like I have a good sense for the “feelings” my body is telling me. I recommend practicing this and learning about yourself before totally going on feel.
  • Small town races are really fun. I have been doing the major marathons the past couple years and really enjoying them. I thoroughly enjoyed being in a smaller group, running country roads, and having minimal logistical things to deal with for the race. I showed up 75 minutes before the start, got checked in, warmed up again in my car, before doing a 10 minute warm up prior to starting. Plus, it was my first win in a long time so I’m likely a tad biased. 🙂
  • There are a couple gravel spots in the middle of the run near the turn around on the second out and back. The RD said these were supposed to be paved this year but were not. I’m guessing it’ll be good to go and all paved by next year!
  • Keep smiling and keep having fun. I said “thank you” so many times b/c I was getting so much love out there. Along these lines, wearing something ridiculous (Space Cat Taco) has it’s advantages b/c I was getting so many happy comments about my shirt!

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

  • Be ready for sharing the road with other runners. This is particularly important if you’re running faster, but after about 10 miles, I was quickly in the mix with 10k and half marathon runners. The lead bike guy was awesome about trying to get people to make some room for me to get by but it was still some dodging and weaving, and this went on for much of the final 16 miles.
  • And marathoners, be ready for that turn that I botched during mile 16. There is some gravel leading to the turn and the HMs do a hard right to get on the bike path while the marathoners go with the soft left.
  • The hills are minor but there are some gentle rollers in the first half. I think the first hill up from the start might be the biggest but it’s literally in the first half mile and is therefore not very noticeable.

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

This was the inaugural year and it went really smoothly. I signed up 10 days before the race, getting to the start and to Snohomish were easy, and everything about the race went smoothly. Well done!

Logistics – Anything special regarding getting to/from the race, hotels around the course, registration…?

Super simple. I think I paid $90 to register less than two weeks before the race.

Weather and typical race conditions

One of the highlights of this race. Beautiful fall day, cool temps, minimal wind, sunny skies, and just absolute awesomeness for racing. It could get ugly out there on the country road though if it were windy – like you could seriously get blasted if it was blustering!

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends and family?

I think there were plenty of spots you could get to in the first 10 miles, but after that, it would likely be more challenging given that they have the road closed. I think it could be done to get at some of the intersections, but it didn’t feel like there were tons of spectators out there. But with all the other racers, there was plenty of cheering.

How’s the swag?

I didn’t get a shirt b/c I signed up late (I could have paid more and gotten a shirt). The medal looks nice. I got a hat for winning. Decent, but for the price, not something I was concerned about.

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

Solid 5 of 5 for a small town race in it’s inaugural year. If the weather were crappy, it could have been knocked down a notch, but seriously, it was absolutely gorgeous out there! Fun day and one I will remember!

snohomish marathon race report
Enjoying the beautiful Fall day post-race with Josh B
portland marathon race report

Portland Marathon Race Report – Pritam

Race: Portland Marathon

portland marathon race report
Photo: MarathonFoto

Runner: Pritam

Date: 10/8/17

Location: Portland, OR

Results: 4:00:59

3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most

  • It was a fun race overall so hard to pick 3 things. Portland is a fun, friendly city and the race was well organized. 3 things I can think of:
    • The course – it was along the Willamette river for the most part and included a back & forth over one of the river bridges. So, we got great views of the city. Lots of aid stations so runners don’t need to carry bottles etc.
    • The people – Portland is a friendly city and it showed. People showed up by the side of the road to cheer and high five the runners. That was fun!
    • Location – the start and finish lines were right downtown near the hotel district. So, it was easy to get to and from the race. We took the Amtrak down from Seattle and walked to our hotel from Portland’s Union Station. So, no car/travel arrangements needed beyond the train tickets!

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

A part of the race was on a highway where only 2 lanes were blocked for runners. So if you were running in the outer lane, high-speed highway traffic was zipping by you. Not a problem in itself, but the draft created by a big Semi going at 55 mph can surprise you!

Weird factor – what’s the weirdest thing about this race

It was weird in a good way! All runners got tree saplings after finishing the race. Given the state of Eagle Creek today, runners could donate their saplings for use in the reforestation effort. The event’s website claims that >150,000 Portland marathon trees have been planted in the Pacific Northwest!

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

Followed Matt’s advice ☺. Didn’t go out too hard. Stayed consistent with my pace and form/cadence. This helped me overcome tiredness towards the end and set a PR.

Lessons Learned – share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner or yourself on the next time around

The uphills are deceptive. Think of it as one big climb starting around mile 6. You climb continuously for 4-5 miles and then turn around. So plan accordingly.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

It’s a road race with very frequent aid stations (1 every 2 miles!!) so plan on running light and maybe set a PR!

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

Overall, it was well organized and the volunteers were amazing.

Logistics – Anything special regarding getting to/from the race, hotels around the course, registration…?

Participants should try staying at one of the downtown hotels. Its near the expo and start/finish lines. Portland has great transit so even if you fly in to the airport, you don’t really need a car. Everything is walkable if you’re downtown.

Weather and typical race conditions

Typical Pacific Northwest fall weather – wet and cool. Though the sun did shine for the last hour or so.

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends and family?

Yes! Lots of aid stations and the course winds through some interesting Portland neighborhoods.

How’s the swag?

Pretty standard. But the Portland rose and the tree sapling were winners!

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

Five stars. Highly recommended!

monument marathon

Monument Marathon Race Report – Jeff U

Race: Monument Marathon

Runner: Jeff U

Date: 9/30/17

Location: Scottsbluff, NE

Results: 3:12:44, 3rd place overall

3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most
– Everyone was super friendly. It had a classic Midwestern feel.
– There was a purse for top three male and female finishers. I won $125 for placing third out of only roughly 92 total runners.
– I liked how open the course was so I could see the people ahead of me for most of the race.

Not so much – aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you
There was a section of loose gravel in the last mile that was fairly unpleasant at that point in the race. It didn’t last that long, but it still made me sad.

Weird factor – what’s the weirdest thing about this race
I was amazed by how many people were using this race as their Nebraska race in their quest for 50 states.

Highlights of your race – what did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular
I felt a little competitive given the small field and the small purse for top three male finishers. I went out harder than I normally would in an attempt to see how long I could hang on. Had I deviated from my #JUM training plan and actually done some workouts, I likely would’ve been mentally stronger to where I could have caught the other two guys (winner was 2 minutes ahead). It was a nice reality check and reminder of what it takes to get to the next level. I was still psyched with my 7+ minute PR though.

Lessons Learned – share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner or yourself on the next time around
This course takes some mental strength given how open everything is out there. You can see the people in front of you for quite awhile during the majority of the race, so that can work for or against you depending on the kind of day you’re having.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race
The first 6 miles are downhill. There are a few rollers during the back half of the course, but they aren’t a big issue if you’re accustomed to hills. There are a handful of areas where you are running on dirt roads which was a nice change of pace from the asphalt. The whole course is exposed, so it could be more challenging in inclement weather.

Organized and well run – did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?
The race director did a fantastic job. This was a super low key marathon, but it was well run. The morning shuttles went rogue and didn’t show, so the RD quickly rallied a number of locals with SUVs and got everyone to the start with plenty of time to spare. They did a great job.

Logistics – Anything special regarding getting to/from the race, hotels around the course, registration…?
This race is roughly 3 hours east of Denver. There looked to be a handful of hotel options available (I slept in my car at a local truck stop). Logistically it wasn’t super challenging if you’re looking to knock out a Nebraska marathon. There is a shuttle from the parking area (finish line) to the start since it’s a point to point.

Weather and typical race conditions
We had beautiful weather. This race could be challenging on a windy day since it’s fully exposed.

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends and family?
This is a spectator friendly course for the majority of the first half. It’s kind of out there in the middle of nowhere a bit, so it would be easy to pull off the road and cheer for your runner

How’s the swag?
Cotton t-shirt; painting of the neighboring landscape by a local art teacher for winning your age group

The Overall Score – how many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it
I’m not sure I would go out of my way to run this race in particular, but I would definitely consider doing it again if I continue living in Denver. It had the classic small town marathon charm, so I would recommend this to anyone looking to do a Nebraska marathon.

skagit flats marathon

Skagit Flats Marathon Race Report – Dionne

Race: Skagit Flats Marathon

Runner: Dionne

Date: 9/10/17

Location: Burlington, WA

Results – 3:47:03

3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most
1. I is a small race and chances are you will feel like you are running alone.
2. It is a flat course for BQ and last chance to better your time to qualify.
3. The volunteers at the aid stations are very nice and quick to help you with anything you need

Not so much – aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you
Although one can consider a rural area is nice and sometimes pretty to look at, but when the temperature raises so does the manure smells in the air. And when you are breathing hard it almost like you can ‘taste’ what you smell in your mouth.
Also the course is very open with nothing to protect you when it is windy. In this race we got a headwind all the way back to the finish line after the turnaround. Last but not least, the turn around was at a point where someone put up a big TRUMP-PENCE sign on their barn, I guess that’s where you know you need to turn around 🙂

Highlights of your race – what did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular
After the turnaround at mile 13 we had a headwind. And after mile 20 my left leg started to cramp up on and off and this slowed me down a bit. In the past I probably would have panicked a bit. But this time I was able to manage the circumstances and dig deeper. I knew it was a flat course and there shouldn’t be any surprises on the course. I stayed calm and focused and was able to finish it without stopping at all.

Lessons for others – share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner or yourself on the next time around
If anything just be prepared for the wind. The weather should be mild around this time of the year in early September, if it rains you will get wet. But if it is windy it will blow.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race
It is flat on the road the entire time. At the end your legs can feel it.

Organized and well run – did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?
Yes, it is a well run and organized race. Given the fact that they did not close any roads the police and volunteers that help with the traffic were fantastic.

Logistics – Anything special regarding getting to/from the race, hotels around the course, registration…?
The race was on Sunday. You can pick your package on Saturday at Hampton Inn that offers 10% discount for lodging. It takes about 50 minutes driving from Seattle, I picked up my package on Sunday with no hassle at all. And if you pick it up on Sunday it will be at the stadium where the race starts. Plenty of parking at the stadium. The gym at the high school was open to allow people to use their showers, very nice indeed.

Weather for race day?
Typically mild and in the cooler side in the morning (in high 40’s to low 50’s). It was in low 50’s when I started and high 60’s when I finished. But it could also be raining as this is in early September.

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends and family?
Very friendly. Your friends and family can basically follow you and stop anywhere to cheer you on. I saw a runner who was being followed by her friend on a bike the entire run.

How’s the swag?
It was ok. There’s a cotton t-shirt and bandana, but mine was missing the bandana.

The Overall Score – how many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it
4 out of 5. It is a well organized small race, flat and fast course and can be beautiful scenery here and there. But at the same time you are in a rural and agricultural area where the smell can be unpleasant.

Jack & Jill Downhill Marathon Race Report – Julie U

Race: Jack & Jill Downhill Marathon

At the start with Dan the Man, who ran 3:06!

Runner: Julie Urbanski

 

Date: 7/30/17

 

Location: Starts at Snoqualmie Pass, finishes near North Bend, WA

 

Results – 3:39:00

 

3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most

  • The course is fast with being a net downhill and it’s easy to get a PR or BQ, or at least your odds are better with this course. Minimal turns as well, as it’s nearly a straight shot from point A to point B!
  • A smaller race with less people, yet still enough that I could always see people ahead and behind. I like the point in the race when the dust settles from the buzz of the early miles and I can just get to work on focusing on staying steady without tons of people around me.
  • Super beautiful course, shaded at least on one side, and a really cool place to run a marathon with looking down at I-90 and crossing over huge gorges on bridges.

 

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

  • The headlamp situation. They gave us bags with our numbers on them to drop off our headlamps after the tunnel and get them at the finish line. At the finish line my headlamp was nowhere to be seen, so I lost a $50 headlamp. It was the cheapest headlamp I had to use, and another runner on the team had the same happen to her last August. There’s another tunnel race that gives headlamps to participants to use and then give back at the end of the tunnel and I wish other races did the same.
  • Few porta-potties – Not sure how the race can remedy this with a trail that’s fairly hard to access, but the first porta-pottie wasn’t until the halfway point, and by that time I’d already ducked into the woods once to go to the bathroom. It would have been nice to have had at least 2 spots with bathrooms up until the half, and then 2 more in the second half. I had to pull over into the woods again at mile 19 and when I popped back on the trail, another runner said she was dying to use the bathroom too. To be fair, there were random pit toilets and porta potties near the rock climbers in the second half, so it might not be necessary, but that first half could use something.
  • Pacing groups in the tunnel. I like pacers in races but people tend to clump in groups around them, and at the start of a race and in a narrow tunnel, the groups were a little annoying in terms of taking up the whole tunnel, making it hard to pass them and being a little rude when passing. I don’t think there’s a whole lot to change about this, but next time I’ll watch where I’m starting and will try to not be near a pacer.

 

Weird factor – what’s the weirdest thing about this race

  • Running through a 2 mile long tunnel to start the race.

 

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

  • Pacing. I started out a little erratic, especially with the tunnel throwing me off a bit and the big groups around the pacers sweeping past me. After about 6 miles and a bathroom break I clicked into a really comfortable pace, took water each time, gels every ~5 miles, and after another poo break at mile 19, I felt awesome and ready to pick it up. The last 10k was so fun to pick it up and pass people, and I finished with a 7:08 mile and a 3 minute negative split from the first half. Those races are rare where I still have my legs the last 8 miles and I enjoyed every step of it.
  • Though the course was a fairly straight shot, I tried running the tangents to make sure I was running no more than 26.2. In my 2 previous road marathons, I’ve run at least .5 miles more because I swing wide on the turns or don’t pay attention to this. This time I paid attention and also tried to stay in the shade as much as possible, as nearly half the course was in the shade for most of the race.
  • Enjoying the hell out of it. Going into the race I had tweaked my hammy, so I wasn’t sure I could even do the distance, so my goal was to make it to finish line and enjoy the hell out of my “me” time while Matt watched Paavo and while I got to jam out to my music and take it all in. Mission accomplished!

 

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

  • There were enough water stops, but I was thirsty and ready to drink each time I hit one. If you’re a big drinker, consider carrying your own water, or tank up at each aid station, because they felt far apart, especially in the first half (I think there were only 3 in the first 10 miles, and then more often after that). No gels given out, just water and gatorade.
  • Watch for random puddles in the tunnel, there were plenty of them and some kind of deep, so make sure you have enough room in front of you to sight them (ie, don’t run right on someone’s ass because you won’t see the puddle!)
  • There are a few turns around mile 21 that come up a little suddenly, and are quite tight, with a couple of quick little downhills. Be ready to pay attention on where to go and to have a change in rhythm from just the straight shot on a long downhill.
  • After those tight turns the course flattens out for a mile, which at that point can feel like an uphill if your legs are tired, and then it resumes the downhill once again.
  • Be a little cautious in the beginning and don’t go crazy in the first 10 miles of downhill so you can have your legs for the second half and have much more fun passing people in the last 10k.
  • You will have the sun at your back, so a hat is plenty for shade, sunglasses if you really want them, and I found shade on lots of the course to stay cool and avoid the heat.
  • I carried my own toilet paper for emergency stops in the woods along the way, and I doubt some of those random non-race porta potties had tp.

 

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

  • I wore road shoes but next time I’d wear my trail shoes, as it was crushed gravel, but still had a few spots with some good sized rocks, and crossing over the “median” of the wide path meant running on rocks.
  • Next time I’d either have a super cheap, tiny flashlight that I don’t care about losing, or no headlamp at all. I’m still bitter about my lost headlamp.

 

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

  • Your watch might not work in the tunnel so don’t freak out if splits are off
  • The turns around mile 21 are tight and your body probably won’t want to make any lateral movement at that point considering the straight course you’ve run thus far.
  • The flat mile after all the turns feels like a bit of a shock but then it’s back to downhill and all is good with the world.
  • People told me my quads would hurt from the gradual downhill but I didn’t experience that, but thought it was good to mention still!
Just after the start and before entering the tunnel, headlamp on and ready!

 

Aesthetics – is it a pretty course

  • Yup, especially for a “road” marathon

 

Difficulty – is it a tough course

  • Nope, likely your best shot for a PR and/or BQ if you run it right. If anything it’s difficult because you have to hold yourself back from crushing the first half because it’s so fast on the downhill. A little more difficult because not tons of aid, the trail being a little harder to access.

 

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

  • Pretty well organized. I’m not happy with the post-race stuff, as I’m trying to contact them about my headlamp, but haven’t heard much, and another team member is trying to contact them about results being wrong, and he too has heard nothing.

 

Competition – is there a strong field?

  • Nothing like a big road race, so if you’re fast, like under 3 hours, you’re likely to be running alone or chasing a guy 400 meters ahead of you.

 

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, but the races sell out fairly quickly

 

Aid Stations

  • 11 total for the race, with more of them being in the second half. Enough, but not so many that I skipped one. I was quite thirsty each time I hit one.

 

Weather and typical race conditions –

  • Warm, clear, pretty. It started out in the 50s and got in the 70s, but stayed quite cool from the start and in the shade.
Coming into the finish with plenty of shade still on the course!

 

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

  • I wore a belt to carry gels, toilet paper, and my music, I saw a lot of people with camelbacks, which seemed a little excessive if you’re trying to run fast. There was enough aid, just be ready to drink up when you pass through it.
  • Use a cheap headlamp or a flashlight that you’re cool losing and then be pleasantly surprised if you get it back
  • I’d wear light trail shoes

 

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends

  • Not really. Matt, Dionne and Paavo were at the halfway point and the finish, and they could have seen me at 21, but they didn’t want to miss another runner’s finish.

 

Awards –

  • Not sure, I’m sure top people got something. Typical medal for finishers and I did like that they gave out a running tank top/singlet as the race shirt.

 

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

  • 3.5 out of 5, losing a star and half because of the crappy headlamp procedures, the lack of much aid or bathrooms in the first 10 miles, and the poor post-race communication. If you want to run a fast time, this is definitely the course, so the course is 5 stars, just not the race management of it.
Me and Dan celebrating our BQ’s post-race
dionne super cascade marathon

Cascade Super Series Marathon – Dionne H

Race: Cascade Super Series Marathon

Runner: Dionne

Date: 6/10/17

Location: Snoqualmie Pass, WA

Results – 3:43:45

3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most: Small race, fast course, and this year they gave us lights for the tunnel so we didn’t have to bring our own. At the end of the tunnel we just need to drop them off in a box.

Not so much – aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you: Almost none.

Weird factor – what’s the weirdest thing about this race: It is not that weird since I already know it but running through the pitch black tunnel is always interesting. The first 15-20 seconds I lost my bearing.

Highlights of your race – what did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular: This is a fast course.

Lessons for others – share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner. Just make sure you train downhill a bit for this. Although it does seem like it is difficult I have seen people ended up walking after only mile 17-18 because their quads were toasted.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around. I will use the bathroom before. I had to pee so badly after mile 18 but didn’t want to stop and there was no bathroom nearby. So .. I peed my pants. It’s the BQ that motivates me 🙂

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race: This year we had to go up and down for the first 5 miles before we enter the tunnel. After the tunnel it is all the way down to the finish line. It is better this way compared to last year when you entered the tunnel right off the start and finished the last 5 miles on the flat course.

Aesthetics – is it a pretty course: Yes, it is. And for most part you will run alone too.

Difficulty – is it a tough course: Not at all but you definitely should prep your quads if you plan to run it fast.

Organized and well run – did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants? Yes, it is. The aid station is also well stocked with water, gatorade and I believe some Gu as well. At the finish line they have warm food as well.

Competition – is there a strong field? Yes, it is. This race is known for its BQ.

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. No, but it definitely sells out quickly as they limit the amount of runners on the course.

Aid Stations: Well stocked with water, gatorade, Gu. And more food at the finish line as well.

Weather and typical race conditions – Weather can be tricky. This year it was cooler in the morning, slightly misty too and some patchy fog, and I finished my last mile in the rain. Dressed in layers if you are typically feeling colder but a lot of people had tank top on from the beginning too.

Gear – did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy? I put on my gaiters on my shoes. It helps me since most of the course is on gravel trail.

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends. Yes, it is. All they need to do is to find any access to the Iron Horse Trail.

Awards – I don’t know about the awards.

The Overall Score – how many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it. I give it 5 stars because it is my 2nd time I got my BQ. Not only that, but overall the trail is very well maintained and beautiful views throughout.

Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon – Teddy B

Race: Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon

Runner: Teddy

Date: 5/7/17

Location: Cincinnati, OH

Results – 2:51:03, 18th overall out of 3362

3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most

1. Hometown Marathon: The Pig is a classic in Cincinnati and it has a great sentiment for me just running the streets around this city.

2. Crowd: The energy never really dies during this race. Cheers from the crowd are heard along the entirety of the course with gaps meaning there is only 1 or 2 people clapping for you. Also, the aid station volunteers are just awesome and all have fun Pig themes: HOGwarts, Piglatin, HAMmer Time.

3. Big Race, Small Town Feel: the field isn’t fantastic at the Pig because there is no prize money for the winners. I mean, when I say “not fantastic” I mean there are no Kenyans and guys like me who run a 2:50 are able to run alone throughout the entire race. This is HUGE for me because nothing frustrates me more than having to run in a crowd of people, hence why I take to the trails!

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

I just don’t love road races.

Weird factor – what’s the weirdest thing about this race

I mean, the Pig theme is ridiculous. There is always at least one or two live “flying pigs” that are brought out to the course and given wings. As above, the aid station themes are classic with everyone dressing up to suite there theme. I love it when people get super into it!

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

You can’t beat running free at a 6:20 pace while getting cheers from big crowds. This being my hometown, both my parents followed me around the course and I saw them 5 times. This was great because even though there were water stations every other mile, I preferred to drink from my bottle and had my dad literally tossing me water bottles during the race! My dad video tapped the first time my mom through me a gel and I caught it, she was so excited haha.

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

The weather is the biggest crap shoot here. The beginning of May has been excruciatingly hot – mid 80s, even 90s – to damn near frigid in the 20s. This year we were at a perfect 45 and I can’t complain at all, but just know if you sign up, you could have anything on race day. I’ve done this in snow as well as dripping sweat.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

My water bottle probably isn't necessary on the road races…I just don’t want to depend on other people mixing my gatorade and then dealing with the pinch and sip technique with those paper cups.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

There is literally one hill that takes any effort at mile 6 and after doing a bit of rolling, the final 12 miles are all pretty much downhill. I planned to negative split this race and was spot on with my timing. If you conquer Gilbert, you can maintain your pace all the way home, just like a good little piggy. Wee, wee wee!

Aesthetics – is it a pretty course

The route takes you on the highlights through most of downtown Cincinnati and out as far as Mariemont. Eden park is beautiful and going through Mt. Adams always gives gorgeous views of the Ohio river and surrounding Kentucky greenery. I love Cincinnati and believe it has a pretty stellar skyline.

Difficulty – is it a tough course

It has a reputation of being hilly and tough. Going from the trails to this road race makes those descriptions pretty laughable, but I do think there are difficult parts including the climb up Gilbert into Eden Park. Also, your last turn is at mile 21, following 5 miles along the river into downtown for the finish so you can see where you need to go as soon as you make that last turn. It does seem far away at that point…luckily every step brings your closer.

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

They do a great job managing the crowd of 9,000+ people between the full and half marathons. The corral system is just the greatest invention, so I am not passing walkers in the first mile. The aid stations are great with fun themes and loads of eager volunteers. They even had Larosa’s pizza at the finish this year, which I was a big fan up. My buddy Matt threw up crossing the finish line…he didn’t enjoy the pizza quite like I did.

Competition – is there a strong field?

As stated above, there are good quality runners, but nothing too amazing. I believe the course record is around 2:32. No Kenyans breaking 2 hours here! However, this also is appealing to me because I don’t want to be jostling for the inside curve while trying to manage a sub-6:30 min/mi. I think the competition here is Goldilocks.

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.

Nah, typical road marathon. Sign up early for discounted entry.

Aid Stations

Water and gatorade at every mile it felt like, might have been every other mile. Gu stations throughout as well as some random tents with Twizlers, Oranges, Beer…etc.

Weather and typical race conditions –

As above, this race can be too hot, too cold or just right, welcome to spring in the Midwest.

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

Probably don’t need anything other than your favorite, weather-appropriate hat. Maybe your preferred gels, but honestly, you can show up in a t-shirt and shorts and just munch what you find along the way.

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends

Great for spectators and they put road closures on Waze this year so you could route yourself to different locations on the course and the app knew how to avoid the closed roads. Pretty great!

Awards –

Top 3 overall (male/female), Age group awards, Fastest half marathon, Fastest last mile

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

5 stars, the Pig rules all

Avenue of the Giants Marathon – Jael

Race: Avenue of the Giants Marathon

Runner: Jael

Date: 5/7/17

Location: Southern Humboldt County, CA

Results – 4:28:49, PR!

3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most

  1. Beautiful course running on the Avenue of the Giants with giant redwood trees lining the road.
  2. Not very crowded.
  3. Perfect weather. sunny 40-60 degrees with the road shaded by the redwood trees

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

  1. Some aid stations only had water and Gatorade, luckily I brought my own GU’s for fuel
  2. I didn’t feel well from mile 17-24, but that wasn’t due to the race, most likely due to my choice of fuel.

Weird factor – what’s the weirdest thing about this race

At the start of the race, the announced called for the band (I guess they were going to play along to the national anthem) but the band wasn’t there, except for one tuba player.  Everyone laughed that the band had one member and the tuba player proceeded to lead everyone in singing the national anthem. Never did hear him play the tuba 😉  I heard the Humboldt band showed up a bit after we took off.

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

I started off at a good steady pace and the redwood trees and shade made it a peaceful run.  There weren’t people standing all along the course taking photos like in other races I’ve been too.

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

I would suggest wearing either a hat or sunglasses for the sections of the course that are in the sun.  It’s not a very long section but I was happy to have my sunglasses.  Make sure to bring whatever fuel (GU, PowerGels) because you won’t find much on the course.  At the halfway point a guy was standing there handing out GU’s.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Book a hotel more in advance.  Figure out what to eat as the GU’s I had didn’t make me feel very good from miles 17-24.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

The first half of the marathon is on a cement road that has lots of potholes and uneven cement, so you need to watch the ground so you don’t trip.  

Aesthetics – is it a pretty course

Very pretty course

Difficulty – is it a tough course

Not a difficult course, rolling hills.  Only a couple shorter steep hills.

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

Pretty well organized except the website doesn’t list what exit to take (667a), only the GPS location.  It would have been helpful to list what exit off of 101 to take.

Competition – is there a strong field?

I’m not sure.

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.

Need to book hotel in advance as all the hotels nearby fill up.  

Aid Stations

About every 2 miles was an aid station with water and Gatorade.  I thought there would be oranges and bananas at some of the stands, but most had run out by the time I passed by.

Enjoying the post-race, post PR bliss!

Weather and typical race conditions –

Clear skies, and 40-60 degrees with shade along most of the course.  A few sections were in the open and I was happy to have worn my sunglasses.

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

Nothing special, I would suggest wearing a hat or sunglasses and a sports belt to carry your fuel.

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends

Yes, spectators could be right at the front of the race with you if you wanted and they were standing at the finish line as you finished the race.  I also saw spectators on the side of the course, but they must have walked there as no cars were allowed.  A few police or service vehicles did pass during the race but they were driving slow and watching for runners.

Awards –

They had awards but I didn’t stick around for the ceremony.  Everyone gets a medal who finishes the race.

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

5 stars, most beautiful marathon course.

Post-race nap in the grass and very well earned!
matt urbanski tokyo marathon

Tokyo Marathon – Matt U

Race: Tokyo Marathon

Runner: Matt U

Date: 2/26/17

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Results – 2:35.56

3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most

  • There were a ton of fast runners. I was with people the entire way and always had someone to run with.
  • The course was fast and there were always people along the course.
  • The weather was perfect!

 

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

  • Having to get in our start corrals early meant not having a chance to pee right before the start. More on how I solved this later in the report. 🙂

 

Weird factor – what’s the weirdest thing about this race

  • They had tomatoes and this weird gelatinous sports drink as part of the pre-race aid. People were chomping down on ripe tomatoes on the vine – I couldn’t do this. I did drink the packet of jelly drink though. I thought it was water and then was surprised at the weird texture. Then I got a little more, realized it tasted good, and so I went for it. I think it is called Pocari Sweat.
  • And I can’t forget the toilets at the start. We had toilets with no signs, and toilets with signs that said “Western Toilet”. I of course tried the regular, non-western version. They were squatty potties with a bar to hold onto as you crouch down over the hole to poop. There was a foot pump to flush the poo down. I daresay I might like this version better!

 

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

  • I felt good nearly the entire race. Having run Rocky Raccoon 100 three weeks prior and not doing any speed work since January, I was not sure what to expect in this race. I knew going into Rocky that I was in good marathon shape though so I had hope that things would go well. Things went as well as I could have hoped for. The last 5k was challenging and I slowed a little, but overall, I was on and could press the pace whenever I wanted. This was one of my fastest marathons ever.
  • I actually managed to pee my pants multiple times, and I did it on purpose! With being in the start corrals so early, and being well hydrated, that meant that I really had to pee by the time the race started. They seemed quite strict regarding public urination and disqualification from the race, and I didn’t want to test this rule. I was wearing my Salomon compression shorts and have never had a problem with chafing with these before, so I had decided before the start that I’d try to just let it go during the race. It was more challenging than I originally thought. It took real concentration to pee in my shorts on purpose. Early on I was self conscious so I didn’t let a lot come out at once. By the 45 minute mark I was into the race and didn’t care anymore. I let it all out. My shorts were wet, some ran down my legs and got my socks wet. Didn’t matter. It dried quickly, I spilled water on myself during aid stations anyway so I was already wet, and I felt lighter and relieved as a result. Major strategy win for this race!

 

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

  • It’s a big city marathon and one of the World Majors. Logistically, this is a challenging race. You have to get here early and getting out and home is a challenge. Do your best not to get flustered or frustrated at all the standing and sitting around you’ll have to do before the race, and after.

 

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

  • If I’m in good shape and ready to go, this is a race to go for a fast time. There is a nice downhill start (not steep), there are minimal hills during the race, and there are people to push the pace with all day long. Great chance for a PR at this one.

 

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

  • There are no notable hills. I remember seeing a slight bump on the elevation profile around 25k, but when I actually ran this during the race, it was barely noticeable. It’s flat and fast, and the only hills to speak of are the downs early on, and they’re not as punishing as the downs to start Boston.

 

Aesthetics – is it a pretty course

  • We were in big city all the time with people and big buildings the entire way. One cool thing about the course is that there are several out and back sections along the course. This meant that I actually got to see the leaders, including Wilson Kipsang after he broke away and was running to the finish all alone (finished in sub-2:04!)

 

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

  • As well as any big city marathon I’ve ever run. From packet pickup to the corral and toilets, it was all well coordinated.

 

Competition – is there a strong field?

  • Fast and 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’s a tough race to get into. I heard rumors that there were 300,000 applicants for 36,000 spots. There is a lottery for most runners. There is also a special “semi-elite” category for foreigners. I think the cutoff for my category was sub-2:50.

 

Aid Stations

  • Frequent, though they didn’t seem as frequent as some other big city runs with aid being every mile. Sorry, I haven’t done the research here, but it seemed like there was plenty. No gels that I’m aware of, but sports drink, water, bananas, and some other stuff. I only drank the sports drink (Pocari Sweat) and water. I brought my own PowerGel but only ate one late in the race.

 

Weather and typical race conditions –

  • It was absolutely beautiful. Other days surrounding the race had more wind and cold, but race day was idealic.

 

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

  • Salomon compression shorts (great for peeing your pants), compression shirt, fast road shoes (Nike Elite). I had a Pategonia Houdini wind jacket I wore to the start and tied around my waist. Looked like an amateur, but it didn’t bother me at all during the run. It was nice to be warmer at the start and the finish, and to not have to deal with a drop bag.

 

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends

  • The course was full of spectators throughout. Julie got to three spots via the metro, and she was traveling solo with a baby. You could likely get to more if you were more aggressive. In short, it’s possible to get to lots of spots, especially with the various out and back sections.

 

Awards –

  • Lots of money for the fast guys. Standard medal and a finisher’s towel for the rest of us. 🙂

 

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

5 out of 5 stars. I loved this race and the experience. I could definitely see doing this one again, either for the experience alone or to attempt another fast time.

lord hill 20 miler

Lord Hill 20 Mile – Jeff K

Race: Lord Hill 20 Mile

Runner: Jeff K

Date: 2/19/17

Location: Snohomish, WA

Results – 2:55:05 (2nd place overall)

3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most

It fit in nicely with my training plan, and had the elements I was training and preparing for – elevation, difficult trail conditions, and not so great weather.

Not that far from Seattle, I saw some friends I hadn’t seen in a while so that was nice.

Logistics are easy –  you can sign up day-of, parking situation is decent, you don’t have to get there super early

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

Too many races (5) on one course – This race hosts a 5K, 10mi, 13.1, 20mi, and 50K.  Runners are sharing the same trails. It is kind of overloaded.  

Course is loops on non-scenic terrain. Trail conditions are muddy and pools of water, and it degrades quickly with all the runners.

Weird factor – what’s the weirdest thing about this race

Despite the conditions, there are quite a lot of runners, and this race has been going on for 13 years. I guess it’s the only thing going on in Feb.

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

This was my tune-up race for Chuckanut. I was able to run fast at the very end which meant that I didn’t blow up early. It gave me confidence for the upcoming 50K.

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

Wear trail shoes with good traction. Don’t try to run up the Lord Hill,  you will burn way to much energy and not really gain anything (unless you are an ultra-elite )

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

The more practice you can get on downhills will really help you in a trail race.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Know about circular loop sections off the main loop. You can be going the opposite way as other runners. Organizers do a good job with the markers but I did come across a couple runners doubling back wondering if they were on the right track.

Aesthetics – is it a pretty course

Not really. Some sections of the single track through woods are nice, but all you end up remembering is that gigantic muddy hill that you have to climb twice for the 20mi or 3x for the 50K.

Difficulty – is it a tough course

I would say it meets the “difficult” category. It is similar elevation as the Cougar 20mi – maybe a 200-300 feet more. With the exception of the Lord Hill itself and the smaller one right after it, the course is runnable. There is a good chance you can slip and fall on these trails.

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

Evergreen runs are generally good local events and this one was like the rest I have done. There is a runner listed in the official results for the 1st place position, yet there was no other 20mi runner in front of me or Matt C. (the 1st place runner). I’ve seen this before where someone bails early in one loop, or uses another person’s bib. I had emailed the organizers and ask if they could verify, but didn’t get any response.

Competition – is there a strong field?

The 13.1 had 4 runners that could do a sub 1:50 which is fast on this course. In the 20mi and 50K there were only a few fast runners and I think they were training for Chuckanut. The first place 20 mi runner got a 2:50.   

I think a lot of runners are using Lord Hill as their first race to get back into spring running and racing.

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.

Aid Stations

There is one aid station about 4.5 miles into the loop, and also at loop start. I carried gels and stopped once at the start line 10 mile mark to re-fill my water bottle.

Weather and typical race conditions –

Weather was cold but not freezing, and wet. Fortunately, the rain stopped around 8AM. The sun was out mid morning and that was nice. I did this race in 2014 and it was colder and raining so it could have been worse.

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

I wore shorts, a short sleeve shirt, arm sleeves, gloves, and a ball cap.  It warmed up enough to take the gloves off halfway through.

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends

They could be in the start area to see you pass through for a loop and the finish. They’d be hanging out in a dirt parking lot so not much else to do except wait for you to come through.

Awards –

There are no awards or medals for finishing.  They do a raffle for bib numbers and there are some decent prizes like a pair of Altra shoes.  I didn’t win anything.

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

I’d give it a 3 out of 5. I would run it again as part of a training plan, or if I wanted to support a friend who was running it. I say it’s a good “coming out of winter hibernation” race.

super tunnel marathon

Tunnel Vision Marathon – Matt K

Race: Tunnel Vision Marathon (Part of Tunnel Marathon series)

Runner: Matt K

Date: 8/21/2016

Location: North Bend, WA

Results – 3:09:30 (13th of 225)

3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most

  1. Good start line / finish line logistics, with easy parking and a relaxed, non-hectic start.
  2. Running through the tunnel. It’ll probably mess with your pacing and GPS watch, but it’s a unique experience and a lot of fun.
  3. The course is very fast, and very scenic compared to your average city marathon. We even ran past a group of rock climbers, which was fun to watch!

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

Aid stations either weren’t ready for us or were understaffed. A few times I wanted to grab a cup and a gel without stopping, but volunteers weren’t handing out aid, requiring a painful abrupt stop to grab stuff and go again.

Weird factor – what’s the weirdest thing about this race

Definitely the tunnel. The race starts just outside an old, 2.3 mile long train tunnel that runs under Snoqualmie Pass. The tunnel is unlit, requiring a headlamp as you barrel towards a pinprick of light that is the other side.

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

The highlight for me was my big PR. This was just my second marathon, and I improved from a 3:54 to a 3:09; knocking way more time off than I thought possible in one year’s worth of training.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

The downhill course can be deceptive. Early miles go by all-too-easily; you need a lot of discipline for proper pacing.

Aesthetics – is it a pretty course

Overall I’d say this is a pretty nice course. I complained a bit about this same course in my Mt. Si 50 miler report because a few places you pass close to the I-90 highway, but in this case I think I have different expectations. The 50 miler I expect to be a trail run and to be immersed in nature. This is a marathon course where seeing the mountains and trail was a welcome alternative to dodging a pack of runners.

Difficulty – is it a tough course

The course is a slight downhill all the way to the final 3 miles, which are flat, so objectively this is not a difficult course, however a few things can conspire to make it more difficult if you aren’t careful:

  1. The downhill profile can easily lure you into going too fast
  2. The tunnel will almost certainly mess with your GPS watch. If you’re aiming for a specific time I would recommend a pace bracelet or some other mechanism to track your progress
  3. After running downhill the whole race, the flat final miles will feel extra tough

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

Overall a well run race. Check-in was easy, course was well marked, and the race even has a drop bag for your headlamp at the end of the tunnel, which was available promptly at the finish.

Competition – is there a strong field?

Not particularly. This year the winner’s time was 2:56, with an average finish time of 4:14.

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 is simple; they usually do sell out, but there are 3 identical runs per year (Light at the End of the Tunnel, Little Tunnel, and Super Tunnel), so finding a race that fits your schedule shouldn’t be too tough. There aren’t many hotels close to the race, but it should also be easy to book one if you’re coming from far away. I live in Seattle so I just drove directly from home to the start.

Aid Stations

Aid stations were spaced 3 – 5 miles apart, which is a bit far compared to many city marathons, but I think aid every mile is overkill. Nothing special here, and as I mentioned previously I had to stop at a few aid stations to grab water or gels instead of handing off at speed.

Weather and typical race conditions –

The race is near Snoqualmie Pass, so typical “anything can happen in the mountains” caveats apply. Typically the race seems to be in the 50s – 70s degrees, with either overcast or rainy skies. For our run it started off quite cool, but warmed up throughout the race.

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

I saw many other runners geared up for a trail ultra (vests, packs, etc.), which I felt was very unnecessary. Try to run with as little gear as possible. I’d only bring along some gels, as only two aid stations had gel, which may not be enough for you.

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends

This is decidedly not a spectator-friendly course. After the start there’s just a single point along the route (Cedar Butte / Rattlesnake falls) that runs anywhere near a road.

Awards –

Small finisher’s medal. There may be awards for top finishers, but I didn’t see any.

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

I’d give race 3 out of 5 stars. It’s a small race, but a good, fast course. It’s advertised as one of your best chances to qualify for Boston, and I think it’s great for that.

Cougar Mountain 20M – Dionne H

Race: Cougar Mountain Trail Run Series – 20 miler – http://www.seattlerunningclub.org/Events/Cougar/cougarmtn1.html

Runner: Dionne H

Date: 10/30/2016

Location: Cougar Mountain

Results – 4:13. 4th out of 7 in my age group ????

3 Bests – it is not crowded, well marked course and inexpensive.

Not so much – I didn’t know there’s no cups at aid station, so it was a bit hard for me to get water/drinks. I had to tilt-up the bottle which of course with my shaky hands most of it (or in my case it was coca cola) ended up spilling all over me. The course changes a lot with many ups and downs and turns that I never can get a good rhythm.

Weird factor – nothing that I could think of.

Highlights of your race – given the fact this is my longest trail race to date, the course is very technical for my skills: lots of roots, rock, wet in some parts, covered with leaves, small single track at some spots, but I enjoyed everything. The distance is also perfect as part of my training for 50 mile race in 5 weeks, it is short but long enough to get me comfortable with the trail.

Lessons for others – share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner: do your tempo workout on hilly course. It will help you enjoying the race better ????

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around: I will train more up and down hills on trails. I slowed down more on downhills because I got nervous from falling down and simply being new to the trail running. I would really like to be able to run faster downhills to make up the time and have stronger legs to power-hike or even jog those uphills eventually.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race: I could not find the race profile anywhere on the website. If you need it, just go to my Strava and there you have it. I was blind going to this race only relying on what people say about where the next hill is. I think it is hilly EVERYWHERE.

Aesthetics – is it a pretty course – it is but I wish I could enjoy it more, instead I was focusing 99% on my footing.

Difficulty – is it a tough course – Yes, it is for me.

Organized and well run – did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants? Yes, it is well organized and the volunteers are very nice too.

Competition – is there a strong field? I don’t know but seems like some people have been doing this series all summer long.

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 registered very late and still can get in. It is not a sold-out race and my guess is it is because of the season.

Aid Stations: 3 stations with water, gu, bananas, PB&J and sodas. But they don’t have cups and expect you to fill out your bottles/vests.

Weather and typical race conditions – it was cold and damp. But we were lucky that it wasn’t raining on this day.

Gear – did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy? I am glad I had my vest on. I had tailwind, powergel and m&ms. Perfect.

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends. It is at the starting line, the aid stations (especially 2nd station as it was right off the main road). Other that that the whole course is in the boonies.

Awards – I think there was but I am not sure.

The Overall Score – how many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it: 5 out of 5. A good training course for your next ultra. Like I said before this trail is pretty technical, it is short but long enough to get the workout done, inexpensive and it’s on our backyard.

columbus marathon review

Columbus Marathon – Julie U

In this race report, co-founder Julie Urbanski breaks down her experience of the Columbus Marathon. Read on for her tips on pacing – and how to shave 5 minutes from your time!

Race: Columbus Marathon

Runner: Julie U

Date: 10/16/2016

Location: Columbus, OH

Results – 3:50.19. Way off my best but I was happy to be under 4

3 Bests – what aspects of the Columbus Marathon did you like the most?

  • The spectators and having my own personal cheering team, including Matt and my son Paavo, Matt’s parents, a cousin, and a family friend and his wife. There were spectators along nearly the entire course.
  • The weather. It’s typically cool and clear this time of year in Ohio and makes for near perfect marathon weather. It was a little warmer than I would have liked by about mile 18, but still a beautiful day.
  • The course. It’s flat except for an overpass and maybe one other tiny hill that I can remember. Amazingly, people were walking the “hills”, even early on, which I had never seen in a road marathon.

Not so much – what aspects of the Columbus Marathon didn’t do it for you?

  • They needed way more porta potties. I couldn’t find more than a few outside of the starting corral, and then once inside, they only had about 30 for a corral of thousands. As you’ll see in the highlights of my race, I made it into the porta potty with 2 minutes to spare before the start of the race.
  • The half marathon and full start together, which makes for a really crowded start, including the line for bathrooms, and the first half felt packed with people tripping over each other at each aid station.
  • Pace groups. I used to love these things and have run with them in previous races, but several times during the race I got cut off and nearly tripped by people trying to follow so closely to the pacing group that they weren’t paying attention to anyone else other than that pace leader. It was a bit much.
  • Fireworks at the start. Seemed like a cool idea, except the massive amount of smoke at the starting line that all the runners and spectators had to inhale. Not sure they thought through that.

Weird factor – what’s the weirdest thing about the Columbus Marathon?

The spectator signs were especially fun given the election year, my favorites being, “If Trump can run, so can you!” and “Run like (picture of Trump’s face) is trying to grab your (picture of a cat’s face)”

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

The start was one of the more memorable ones. The lines for a porta potty were incredibly long and even after standing in line for 30 minutes, there were still about 10 people in front of me 5 minutes before the race. 2 minutes before the race it was finally my turn to get out those last minute pre-race poops, and as I’m hurrying to poop and wipe, the AC/DC song “Thunderstruck” is blaring outside, literally pulsing “THUNDER” through the porta potty. It certainly sped things up for me and 45 seconds before the start, I finally got in the start corral. I think that’s the closest I’ve ever cut it.

Other highlights – having Matt and Paavo out on the course. Thinking of them at the start, I choked up and almost cried, and after seeing them at mile 13, I almost cried again. It meant something completely different and special to be running my first post-baby marathon. I loved that I didn’t have any pressure for a time, and was just out there to enjoy the miles, the atmosphere, the beautiful weather, and my wonderful cheer team.

Lessons for others – share your pro-tips on the Columbus Marathon to help the next runner

Start out conservative. It’s a flat, fast course, and with half marathoners in the mix to push the pace, it’s easy to go to fast at the start. This always seems to be a lesson, but it’s so easy to ignore this advice.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Get better at my nutrition. I ate a Gu every 5 miles and was sipping water about every mile, and every 2-3 miles I either sipped Gatorade or just swished it in my mouth and spit it out. I started the race a little dehydrated and by mile 18 or so, I was thirsty and drinking a good amount of water and Gatorade. This came back to haunt me by mile 23 and the combo of Gu, water and Gatorade was not good, so I gagged and nearly threw up the rest of the race. Not fun. Next time I need to start more hydrated and have a better nutrition routine that doesn’t overload my system, but that keeps me hydrated and energized. With the heat, it also made it hard to dial in the right combo.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the Columbus Marathon?

Run the tangents! I didn’t get close to corners, trying to avoid the crowds on each turn, and ended up running and extra half mile! That’s at least 4-5 minutes extra! Holy crap!

Aesthetics – is it a pretty course

Meh. It’s flat Columbus, Ohio and goes through downtown and neighborhoods. I’ve seen prettier but it certainly wasn’t ugly.

Difficulty – is it a tough course

Nope. Just flat and fast, which makes it tough to hold back early.

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

Organized and well run for sure, but they needed way more porta potties both outside the start and inside.

Competition – is there a strong field?

I think so.

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 Columbus Marathon happen.

The half marathon sold out but not the full, but I’d register by late August to make sure you get a spot. Hotels got booked fast near the start and there was nothing left near the start that was remotely affordable or nice, so we stayed about 20 minutes from the start. We pre-booked our parking for $12 total and parked two blocks from the start and it was the best, no-hassle parking decision we’ve ever made for a race.

How were the Columbus Marathon aid stations?

Seemed like they were every mile, with water and Gatorade and Clif shots at miles 8 and 17.

Weather and typical race conditions?

Typically cool at the start, warming up, with clear skies and a touch of cool fall air. Pretty much my favorite conditions.

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

Nope.

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends

If just on foot, spectators can see runners at the start or first go to mile 2, then 7, then 13. If in a car, spectators can hit a couple more spots like miles 17 and 22 (ish). So yes, pretty friendly.

 

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

4.5 out of 5. If going for a BQ, this one’s a great option; the only complaint I have is the need for more bathrooms.

Prepping for a race? Check out our coach-approved checklist!

super tunnel marathon

Tunnel Vision Marathon – Dan S

Race:  Tunnel Vision Marathon (Part of Tunnel Marathon series)

Runner: Dan S

Date: 8/21/2016

Location: The race starts at Hyak (Snoqualmie Pass) and ends in North Bend, Washington.

Results: 3:04.14

3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most

  1. The course is pretty much tailor made for a personal record: gradual down, all the way.
  2. The course is pretty in many places; from sections in the woods to more open trestles over creeks, it’s a nice (aesthetically) path.
  3. Though small (only a couple hundred finishers or so), the race seemed to be well run.

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

The only notable “drawback” of the event that stood out is that the aid stations are really shallow.  This reality was entirely to be expected with a small race like this, but it did mean that I was doing loops at several-most aid stations (it was a warm day) to get a couple of cups of fluids (one to dump on me, the other to drink).

Weird factor – what’s the weirdest thing about this race

The better part of the first two miles of the race are in a tunnel (the tunnel is the race’s namesake). The race follows a path that used to be used by trains (hence the gradual down) and the outset of the race (racers enter the tunnel at about 0.25 miles) is underground in an old rail tunnel.  Headlamp required.

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

This is by far the best marathon I’ve ever run.  I shattered my personal record by a margin I hadn’t even imagined possible and in so doing, achieved a long-standing personal marathon time goal.

Things were going so well that I literally did not trust my training computer for much of the first half of the race (the GPS was thrown off in the tunnel so I knew the data from that portion of the race was inaccurate).  It was not until the guy standing by the side of the course at the half marathon mark (no clock – just a guy with a watch – it’s a small race) told me what pace I was on that I started to believe what my training computer was telling me.

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

The race started kind of late (8:00am) and was held in late August.  So heat could be an issue.  We were lucky in 2016 that it was warm but not too hot.  That said, right up to the morning of the race it was looking like we’d be dealing with performance-dampening temperatures.

Most of the race is on gravel.  I found gaiters helpful for keeping rocks out of my shoes.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

I learned (from Matt) about the technique of placing crushed ice in the back of my running vest to help keep my core temperature down.  I did not end up needing to implement this technique (or using the vest at all) but if I do end up trying a high temperature, long distance run in the future, the crushed-ice-in-the-vest idea may be useful.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

This course was the easiest marathon course I have ever run.  As noted above, bring a headlamp for the tunnel (there’s a drop station right at the end of the tunnel where headlamps can be left for transport to the finish line) and be ready for a long run on gravel (not big gravel, but also not a smooth, paved surface).

Aesthetics – is it a pretty course

Yes.  This is one of the prettiest courses that I’ve run.  The aesthetics are somewhat “spoiled” by the soft roar of the freeway (the course largely parallels the highway for the first 15-18 miles or more) in the background.  When the course ducks away from the freeway into the woods or runs over a creek, though, very nice.

Difficulty – is it a tough course

No.  As noted several times above, this course is the easiest marathon course I’ve ever run.  It is downhill essentially for all 26 miles.  The downs are gradual enough that my quads were not blown out by the run, but steep enough that I definitely knew I was going down, down, down.

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

The race was, particularly for its small size, well organized.  While this year (2016) was the first year of the Super Tunnel event, the race follows the exact same course as the Tunnel Light and Light at the End of the Tunnel races and is organized by the same people.  The other races have been going on (and filling up) for years – the people organizing the race know what they are doing and did well.

Competition – is there a strong field?

Ummm…  I finished 6th overall.  Which lets you know that Meb most definitely was not out there.  This was a small race and there were no elites, no big names (to my knowledge), or even local legends out there for this run.

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.

No.  I registered very early because the sister races (Light at the End of the Tunnel and Tunnel Light) fill up.  I don’t believe that this race filled.  I got in with no issues – just went online and signed registered.

Aid Stations

There were aid stations every 2-3 miles.  All were stocked with water and-or energy drink.  I believe that some were stocked with gels.  There were only a couple of people at several of the aid stations, so (as noted above), getting two drinks meant sacrificing time to run a loop.

Weather and typical race conditions

As noted above, heat could be an issue in late August in this part of the country.  The course is in the mountains, though, so heat is not guaranteed.  August is generally known to be one of the more consistently nice weather months here in the Northwest.  So chances are comparatively low that inclement weather will mess up the race.

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

No.  When I saw that temperatures weren’t going to be too high, I went with bare-bones attire.

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends

Not really.  There is access to the course by road (it looked like) at about 13 miles and then again at about 20 miles along the course.  The start is road accessible, as is the finish.  Otherwise, the course is not readily accessible for spectators.

Awards

None to my knowledge. Finishers receive a shirt and a medal.

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

For the first time ever, I will award a race ten out of ten stars.  Please recall, though, my comments about setting a personal record and achieving a big goal on this particular run.  My assessment of the race is filtered through rose-colored glasses.

Nevertheless, if you are interested in a fast full marathon in the Northwest that is small, goes through the woods, is well organized and is fast (did I say that already?), the Super Tunnel Marathon is definitely one to consider.

super tunnel marathon

Tunnel Vision Marathon – Dionne H

Race:  Tunnel Vision Marathon (Part of Tunnel Marathon series)

Runner: Dionne H

Date: 8/21/2016

Location: Hyak, WA

Results – 3:41:02

3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most

  • Small race/not overly crowded
  • Fast course
  • Boston qualifier

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

I can’t think of anything.

Weird factor – what’s the weirdest thing about this race

You are going through Hyak tunnel that is pitch-black and damp in the beginning of the race and you will need to use a head-light.

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

The fast course. It keeps on going downhill but not steep enough for you to feel uncomfortable.

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

I ran the course once during one of my long runs, 21 miles, and that helps a lot.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Check with the weather forecast.

I thought I was going to need my vest (wasn’t in the game plan) because it was supposed to be a warm day. But after checking again in the morning I realized I will be finishing right around when the temperature is in the high 60’s low 70’s.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

The last 3-4 miles of the course were flat all the way to the finish line.

Aesthetics – is it a pretty course

It can be at several spots.

Difficulty – is it a tough course

No.

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

It is well organized.

Competition – is there a strong field?

I don’t know but one thing I know is that this race is popular for those trying to get BQ.

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.

Register early.

Aid Stations –

Several of them.

Weather and typical race conditions –

Warm. Start out in the 50’s but by the time you are done it can be in low to high 70’s. Put sunscreen on, the sun will be on your back throughout the entire ran.

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

Running gaitors will keep gravels out of your shoes.

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends

Yes. Plenty of access to the trail.

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

I give it a 4 out of 5. It is a fast course, makes it feel like you are running your tempo pace on a good day. We just don’t need the noise from I-90.

3er Gran Maraton Mexiquense – Matt U

Race: 3er GRAN MARATÓN MEXIQUENSE

 

Runner: Matt U

Date: 6/5/2016

Location: Toluca, Mexico

Results – 20/264, 3:20.43

3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most

  • Very unique race for me, being a foreigner. All communication was in Spanish, we ran through some smaller towns on our way to the city center finish, and the vibe was not that of a typical race I traditionally run in the US.
  • There was competition. There were Kenyans there and there were people that looked legit at the starting line. People were scoping each other out as we were warming up and I was excited to race.
  • The altitude was a unique challenge. I’ve raced utlras in the mountains before, but I’ve never tried to race fast on roads at elevation. My watch said we were between 8,500’ and 9,000’ the entire race.

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

  • Not much of anything. They recommended getting to the start area at 5:30am for the 7am start. I didn’t bring enough clothes and was cold while waiting. The warm up run was a real warm up, as I was freezing before I started. Thankfully, they let me hang out on one of the buses that they were keeping drop bags in.

final kilometersWeird factor – what’s the weirdest thing about this race

  • This might be one of my favorite things I’ve ever seen at a race. There was lots of chatter in Spanish over the loudspeaker leading up to the start. I could understand some of it, particularly if I made an effort. As we were within 15 minutes of the start, I was not paying much attention. But then I heard counting, repeating over and over. And I notice that tons of people are standing around doing calisthenic drills, following the instructions of the woman on the microphone. We’re five minutes from the race starting and hundreds of people are doing leg kicks and stretches in unison. The kicker was that the song “The Final Countdown” was playing in the background throughout. I couldn’t help but smile!

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

  • I tried to hold back. I tried to account for the altitude. I tried to smile and enjoy the experience. Fail, fail, and sort of fail. I didn’t hold back enough, 8,500+’ was more than I bargained for, and though I smiled and joined in the cheers of “vamos” and “animo”, I was thinking of various forms of the verb sufrir (to suffer) for much of the race.

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

  • If you don’t normally race at 8,700’, be extra cautious. 42k is a long way to go when you’re struggling to breath well.

finish line abuzzAesthetics – is it a pretty course

  • It was pretty in the sense that we ran through a couple smaller towns and finished in the big city center of Toluca. It was unique in this way and I enjoyed it. It also had some sections that we ran on busier, bigger roads. These weren’t bad in themselves and traffic was always kept separate, or at least far enough apart to feel safe. However, there were lots of moments when I could feel the pollution as I was breathing it in. Many of the busy road sections had cars backed up and the exhaust from buses and trucks was tough to deal with.

Difficulty – is it a tough course

  • Not in the sense that it’s hilly. There was a total of 500’ of climbing in the entire race. The course was flat and would have been easy if you were used to running up high. There was one section of cobblestone road that was kind of tough to run on and it beat up my feet a little.

finish line buildingsOrganized and well run – did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

  • Really well.

Competition – is there a strong field?

  • I think the winning time was 2:25. That is fantastic given the altitude. There were a few Kenyan men and women vying for the top spots. The men’s and women’s winners each took home 60,000 pesos, and the prizes went 8 deep so it brought out good 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.

  • Sign up online was easy. They weren’t set up to receive non-Mexican credit cards, but I was able to pay using PayPal. The only hitch for me was that they seemed strict regarding packet pickup, and there was no way I could make it during the hours of the expo – the hours were normal, but I had a big exam the day before the race and couldn’t make it. I had to email for an exception, which was granted. The only thing that really made all this difficult was that it was all done in Spanish, and I still kind of suck at writing and communicating in Spanish!

Aid Stations

  • Every 2.5 kilometers. Water was in small bags, which may actually be better than cups. I took hardly anything though because early in the race, I wasn’t thirsty, and once I should have been taking food and drink, my chest and stomach were so tight that I couldn’t take anything down. Thankfully, at kilometer 12, there were portapotties. First time I’ve ever stopped to poop during a road marathon. No paper of course, had to sacrifice a glove, but very thankful for the aid station portapotty!

Weather and typical race conditions –

  • It was in the 40s at the start and warmed up into the low 60s as the sun came up. Weather was perfect. No wind or rain. Sunny, but with cool temps.

tired coachGear – did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?

  • Nothing special needed for this race. Warm clothes for waiting at the start would be helpful because it’s a point to point course. They had drop bags they would shuttle to the finish for us.

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends

  • There are plenty of places to see runners on this course. We were running on roads through towns and they city the entire way. I didn’t have any friends cheering me on in Toluca, Mexico though! Julie and Paavo were waiting for me at the finish line though. ????

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

  • 4.5. Very pleased with the event and the experience. It’s not the best race I’ve run – the pollution sucked. Other than that, the race was great, despite my significant suffering. I would love to try again. I am confident I could race better the second time around, but as a heads up for anyone thinking about running this one, running this high without much experience racing that high, can be harder than expected!

Squak Mt. Marathon – Josh B

Race: Squak Mt. Marathon – http://www.evergreentrailruns.com/squak-mtn-trail-run

Runner: Josh B

Date: 4/9/2016

Location: Issaquah WA

Results – 7:30 or so.

3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most

  1. Vertical Gain. I signed up for this as a training race only and it squeezes 8k of gain into a marathon. They have a 50k option that has almost 10k of gain. Perfect early season training race for Mountainous summer races.
  2. Well supported aid stations. The aid stations were stocked well and had volunteers that were also trail runners. Great food selection for runners that don’t want to carry a ton of stuff on them.
  3. Location- Being only 30 minutes from Seattle makes it an easy race logistically.

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

This course has two loops so for people that don’t like loop courses this would not be for you. In terms of a training run, this course was perfect for me.

Weird factor – what’s the weirdest thing about this race

N/A

Highlights of your race – what did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular.

I used this as a test of gear and nutrition for an upcoming race. All the gear I used worked perfectly and I was able to practice eating real food as the aid station selection of food was great. Now if I could only get every aid station to have nutella quesadillas and bacon avocado quesadillas I would be set. I went into the race with the goal of finishing and feeling fresh afterwards and succeeded with this.

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

If I was to race this, not as a training run, I would only carry a single handheld or small camelbak for water/nutrition. The aid stations are close together and well stocked which makes there no need to carry a bunch of stuff on you. Being a two loop course you also could leave a drop bag at the halfway point so that you could grab stuff.

Aesthetics – is it a pretty course

The single track portions are nice but there are no great views. For a race with 8k vert you would expect some nice views.

Difficulty – is it a tough course

The amount of gain makes it difficult but the trails are not technical so it is not too bad.

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

Evergreen Trail Runs does a good job managing these races. The races are cheap and organized well. Nice finish line atmosphere afterwards.

Competition – is there a strong field?

Seems like most of the field was using this as training for other future races. Not very competitive all together.

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 race logistically. They even have day of race registration.

Aid Stations-

5 aid stations for the marathon which was plenty. Each one had plenty of food and beverage options.

Weather and typical race conditions – The weather was sunny and in the 60s this year. I could imagine years where the weather could be rainy. Even with rain the course wouldn’t be too muddy.

Gear – did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy? This race requires minimal gear as the aid stations are close together. A single handheld or small camelbak would be adequate.

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends. Crews really only have access to the start/finish area which you pass through at the halfway point. I guess crews could hike up to the peak and see you come by if they wanted to. It would be a couple mile hike with 1500ft of gain or so.

Awards – No awards or medals.

The Overall Score – how many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it. 4 stars as a training run.

Dupont City Trail Marathon – Rich W

Race: DuPont City Trail Marathon – http://www.dctmassoc.org/

Runner: Rich W

Date: 3/5/2016

Location: DuPont, WA – Sellers Park

Distance raced and other options: Marathon, ½-Marathon

Results – 4:13:50 http://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=34208#id2991

3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most

– Fun, variable terrain… gravel double-track, dirt single-track, rocky beach, sidewalk.  Had a little bit of everything.

– Running somewhere local, yet new to me.  Beautiful area and trails I didn’t realize are so close… about 15 minutes south of Tacoma.

– Very chill, low-frills community event.

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

Nothing.

Weird factor – what’s the weirdest thing about this race

There are two water crossing near the end of each ½ marathon loop where you get at least knee to mid-thigh deep in fairly cold water.

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

Running with a friend most of the distance.  Also, running a fairly steady, consistent pace.  Second ½ about 5 minutes slower than first ½ .

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

Prepare for some hills and variable footing (rocky beach section).  Fairly hilly but runnable.  Not a PR type course.

Aesthetics – is it a pretty course

Gorgeous course.  Sections along creek and beach.  Views overlooking southern Puget Sound.

Difficulty – is it a tough course

Relatively difficult, if you’re accustomed to road marathons.  But very runnable hills.  My watch indicated about 2600’ of climb.

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, especially considering first year of event.  Aid station volunteers were very helpful and organized.  The RD is an experienced trail runner and the nicest dude you’ll meet.

Competition – is there a strong field?

There was one fast dude (non-local visiting family), obviously a relatively fast road marathoner that finished in 3:20, about 45 minutes ahead of the next finisher.  Then, the rest of us trail runner folk starting pouring in after about 4:07.

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.

Event was advertised fairly heavily on local facebook runner forums with registration on ultrasignup. Short drive south of Tacoma or Seattle.  Start/finish just off I-5 exit 119.

Aid Stations

One aid station that you pass twice per loop, plus at turnaround (roughly miles 5.2, 8.1, 13.1, 18.3, 21.2). Very well stocked and staffed.

Weather and typical race conditions

Cool, but sunny, beautiful day, especially at beginning of March.

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

Nothing special required, unless you want to change shoes and socks (and get heckled) after first loop as your feet (and knees) get submerged at about mile 13.0.  I carried a light Nathan (Krissy) vest and one handheld bottle.  I could have easily gone with just the handheld, but habits die hard.

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends

Yes, spectators can see you at 4 times by staying in one spot near the aid station, more if they wanna get mobile.

Awards – I got a medal and a few high-fives for finishing.  I place a higher value on the high-fives. Pretty sure the winners got a gift certificate for an hour massage.

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

I had a great run with friends at a very well organized, scenic, fun, low-frills event.  Two-thumbs up.  Or 5 Stars (out of 5).

Shamrock Marathon – Emily M

Race: Shamrock Virginia Beach Marathon – http://www.shamrockmarathon.com/

Runner: Emily M

Date: 3/20/2016

Results – 5:07

3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most

The race is well coordinated for starters.  They have plenty of water stations and porta potties along the way.  The goody bag is great!  You get a nice, big medal!  The shirt is one I’d actually wear, and they give you a hat and beach towel at the end.  The scenery is nice and I never got bored!  There are a lot of bands and radio stations playing along the way, and so many nice local people handing out cookies, beer, etc.

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

The wind was horrible!!!  We ran into the wind 17 out of the 26.2 miles!  Luckily the rain stopped right before the race started and didn’t start up again until I was finished.

Weird factor – what’s the weirdest thing about this race

You had some pretty interesting outfits for St. Patty’s Day :). Otherwise, there wasn’t much weird about it.

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

I paced myself as best as I could and my first half was right on target.  Unfortunately, I stopped to go to the bathroom around mile 14 and my legs got stuff so I had a rough second half.  Since I’m a little slower, people were scattered and I couldn’t really get behind anyone to help block the wind.

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

Plan on wind and cooler weather.  I ran the half here a few years ago and it was windy then too because you are right on the water.  Also, it’s better to get a hotel on the main strip if you can because parking is not very good.

Aesthetics – is it a pretty course

Overall I’d say it was a pretty course.

Difficulty – is it a tough course

Other than the weather, it’s pretty much a flat course.  You run over a bridge twice within the first half but it wasn’t that bad.

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

Extremely well run and the after party is awesome!

Competition – is there a strong field?

I’m on the slower end so I’m not really sure but I’m guessing it is strong since it’s such a flat course.

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 was easy…prices go up as the year goes on like most races. Get your hotel early because the good ones book fast!

Aid Stations

Plenty of aid stations

Weather and typical race conditions – Cool and windy, possible rain

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

Be prepared for rain and wind

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends

Not really.  The only time you come back to the same spot is between mile 11-13.1, so our friends saw us at the start, middle, and finish

Awards – Not really sure

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

If you are up for taking a risk on weather, I highly recommend this race!  They have an 8k on Saturday, plus a half and full on Sunday and you have the option to combine the races if you want to for more medals and shirts!