Race Reports

Monument Valley 50k Race Report – Erica Kollen

Race: Monument Valley 50K

Runner: Erica Kollen

Race Date: 03/04/2023

Location: Monument Valley Utah/AZ border. Navajo Reservation Land

Results: 8:00. 1st in age group. 11/35 in female

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

Monument Valley is on Navajo Reservation. The scenery/views are (hard to find a word) beyond beautiful..The course was very well marked. The natives allowed us to run on parts of their land that no other non native is allowed without a guide, or at all. The course was challenging and fun. There wasn’t a lot of technical/rocky trail except for the one huge climb at mile 23, which was 1500′ gain in 1 mile. There was also a native ceremony at the start of the race. They played music on their drums and sang to us in their native language. One last thing. The race started at the hotel I stayed in, which was so nice to not have to sit in a car after!

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

There is a LOT of sand. Some was hard packed, but a lot of thick sand too. It had snowed a few days prior, then sunny, so there was a lot of mud to trudge through. Coming down Mitchell Mesa, mile 25ish, was extremely steep and very technical. The rocks were slippery due to the mud/snow.

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

There were no race photographers. Maybe that is normal? The only other races I have done have photographers that get your photo with a beautiful background. There was no excitement at the finish line. They give awards to the first 2 finishers in each age group. I came in first in mine but would not have known it unless I had asked.

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

I enjoyed the challenge.. saying this now that it is over, lol. I learned a lot about the navajo tribe and found it very interesting. I enjoyed there being not a whole lot of runners, so had a lot of room to go whatever pace I want and be able to take in the magical views without any interference. All the rooms at the hotel have a balcony with an incredible view.

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

Gaiters are absolutely necessary. Many people had poles, in their drop bag, to help with the big climb at mile 23. If you are a clumsy runner, they will help a lot with stability coming down. But saying that, as much as they may have helped with the climb, you need to carry them along with you for 11 miles. If I did this again, I still wouldn’t bring them. If you can train in sandy conditions, I recommend it.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

I learned how important hydrating and nutrition is. I struggle with this. It was 25 degrees at the start and stayed in the 20’s/30’s for a few hours. I wasn’t thirsty due to this and did not drink enough water. Next time around, I will set nutrition alarms on my watch so I take in the calories I need to keep going strong. I also wish I had stopped more to take photos.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

I guess just be ready for the sand, which will always be there… and there is a high possibility that there will be mud/snow due to the time of year it is.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Google photos of Monument Valley…BREATHTAKING! If you watch Forest Gump, the end of his run is down the path to Monument Valley. There were also many westerns filmed there. I was very lucky to get to see wild horses out there, and get their photo with an incredible background.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Yes, it is tough, but mostly due to the terrain. The elevation was only 3700′, 1500′ of it was in that one mile climb.

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

Yes/no. The first few aid stations did not offer much and had only 1 native running it. They did not know the distance to the next aid. But this is something I should have memorized prior. There was not any help to fill bladders or find drop bags. No finish line photo, nor much celebration at the end.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Not that I’m aware of.

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.

There is a 200 runner cap. There were only 74 of us. Book the hotel early and it was worth the extra money to get a star view room on the top floor. Interesting that the hotel does not have a pool due to respect for the natives that have no running water.

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

I did not really pay attention to that. I brought my own nutrition. I did see bananas and oranges at mile 18. And there liquid fuel is gatorade.

Weather and typical race conditions

It was very cold with strong wind at the start. I am from AZ so had a very low tolerance for this. I heard that a few years back, it was very hot. AZ weather is unpredictable. I recommend buying a throw away layer that you can donate at the first aid station.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

No spectators on the course. If you have support to run you in, they need a special pass that you can get at packet pick up.

How’s the Swag?

The long sleeve shirt is nice. They give you a medal at the finish, which is very cool. I got to pick from having a monument valley mug or hat for placing in my age group. They also give you a monument valley poster.

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

I do recommend this race, but it will now be hard to find a race with this amount of breath taking scenery.

Lake Sammamish Half Marathon Race Report – Matt Hall

Race: Lake Sammamish Half

Runner: Matt Hall

Race Date: 03/04/2023

Location: Redmond, WA

Results: https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/87210

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/8660451360

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

  • Great Trail
  • Great Communication
  • Great Race Swag/Free Photos

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

First mile is narrow trail; got stuck behind slower people.

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

Part of route was under construction and detoured onto road (won’t be the case next year). In the last 2 miles there was a very sharp left hand turn through a puddle and mud.

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

Maintained target pace for full first half of race.
Was well rested/hydrated/fueled.

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

Start at the front of the pack if you plan on finishing sub 1:30.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Start a bit faster; I was running with a group for the first 4-5 miles but then they slowed down and I ended up in a big gap between runners

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

First mile is crowded but the rest of the course is very wide and open.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Very Pretty. Most of it is an old rail corridor and winding through parks

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Normally no, but the trail construction detour added a stupid big hill at mile 8.

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

Very well run. Orca puts on a good race.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Very Competitive; Multiple people finished sub 1:10. Too competitive for my taste 😆

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

Race sold out so make sure you register at least a month in advance.

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

Aid Stations are cupless; basically useless. They had a few goos and snacks but I stuck with my hand waterbottle

Weather and typical race conditions

Weather was way worse than normal; 35 and raining 😭

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Lots of good spectating spots along the course but it is a point to point so you have to drive.

How’s the Swag?

Swag is great. Super comfortable t-shirts. Nice handcrafted medals.

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

9/10. Definitely plan on doing every year. If they can figure out the first mile clog with some heats or something I’d give it a 10/10..

Toyko Marathon Race Report – Kim-Anh Nguyen

Race: Tokyo Marathon 2023

Runner: Kim-Anh Nguyen

Race Date: 03/05/2023

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Results: 4:02:29

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

  • The organization
  • The volunteers
  • The course

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

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

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

Was able to keep my breathing easy

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

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

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Start way slower

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

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

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Yes!

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Mainly flat with very short uphills

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

Race day was so smooth! Before was another story

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

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

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

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

Weather and typical race conditions

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

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

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

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Yes!

How’s the Swag?

The medal is beautiful

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

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

Cowtown Ultra Race Report – Coach Jenny Windham

Race: Cowtown Ultra

Runner: Coach Jenny Windham

Race Date: 02/26/2023

Location: Fort Worth, TX

Results: 7:01:02

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

  • The spectators-they line the streets and not only have fun signs, but offer everything from water to snacks & beer or shots!
  • The downtown scenes-you get to see some top attractions like the Stockyards, Cultural district, TCU, and Trinity River Park trails.
  • The friends-this race has been going for 45yrs and has history you can share with other family and friends who had their firsts here.

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

There are a lot of people, which requires planning for parking and meeting up.

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

Define weird haha. If you want a uniquely western TX feel, this is it! Uber friendly folks combined with uber friendly runners!
I wouldn’t define necessarily as weird, but maybe not found elsewhere.

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

  • My friend was running it too! She didn’t have as much confidence, and was dealing with calf issues, so it was nice to feel strong and there for her.
  • My husband and a good friend came out and met us twice, and were there for the finish. Course support decreases the further you go, and that’s when we planned for. There are no drop boxes/bag options in this race, and the weather is always very different by the afternoon.
  • My feet made it with blisters, yes, but no major permanent setbacks. Such a great feeling achieving my first Ultra!

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

  • There are distances from 5K to Ultra, kids 5K and adults. Plan to arrive early, and aim for the Friday Expo/packet pickup.
  • This allows more enjoyment of the moments leading up to the run.
  • Pace yourself, many start out faster than they should. It’s easy to get swept up in the fanfare.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

  • Course familiarity is a bonus, whether it’s mile 9 bridge hill or the different sections you’re passing.
  • I liken it to a road trip. The more you remember various stops, even if it’s an aid station in front of a house having a block party, it’s something to help distract you from how many miles are left, or a nagging knee or blister etc.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Take your time at the beginning as the crowd doesn’t thin out til a couple miles in. There’s no rush, plenty of time to make up for it later once your breathing sets in and legs get warm…sometimes literally. Plan your fuel and stick to it, especially for any areas you struggle with. For most, even myself as I did the shorter distances (Half & Full) it was mentally conquering the mile 9 hill. Having fuel at mile 8 helps, and you can focus on the cheering and mental grit to not stop, etc whatever your goals are. There are bricks you’ll be running on in the Stockyards area. If you have foot or ankle etc issues, you’ll want to take care and plan for a slower section. The finish is uphill, but it’s not steep, just drawn out. Then it turns and you have a flat walk, jog or sprint to the finish line.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

It’s downtown, so mainly roads and store fronts, but there are some fun sections like the Stockyards and residential area near TCU.
The Full/Ultra course go thru nice Trinity River trails, so if you’ve done races there or just weekend training runs, that’s a peacceful area.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

I’d say it’s moderate. There are plenty of hills and turns to navigate. For some this might feel like it drains your energy, for others it might feel like a nice change of pace (pun intended).

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

This is the MOST and BEST organized run of all!!! Constant email communication, prompt replies from race director if you have any team or other questions. They have maps for Expo and Event layout, as well as parking lots, and course, including pacers for all distances.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

  • Oh yes! There’s an Elite Men & Women start a few mins before the main corrals start.
  • The longer courses are USATF and BQ, there are division awards 5 deep for the kids, 3 deep for Adults, 1 deep for the Ultra.

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.

Best prices are earliest, best hotel availability is in advance, as any travel. They also have a very runner friendly race distance change, or deferment to virtual or another racer for a fee. Friends may pickup packets, everything is in their FAQ.

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

  • Standard fare, water and Gatorade Endurance. Some vendors have real food, including pb&j, hot dogs, burgers, plus bananas, oranges, pickles.
  • I didn’t see much GU or wafers, but I was in a longer run where the shorter quicker distances may have used it up.

Weather and typical race conditions

Just like TX weather, it has varied from icy morning to very warm afternoon. They provide a recyclable cover up at the finish, for the next year. Folks generally plan a hoodie and gloves/hat/gaiter for the morning and shorts or tank for afternoon. They donate any thrown away items, or you can hand it off to a loved one if they’re there. Communication is excellent as far as the Expo and Race hours, and last year we had a delayed start on the Saturday races (shorter distances 5K/10K are Saturday, longer Half/Full/Full Relay/Ultra are Sunday) because of ice.

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

They are a Nonprofit active in the Community and donate to C.A.L.F. (Children’s Activities for Life and Fitness), as well as partner with Alzheimer’s Assoc and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and also allow strollers. I’ve seen people run with pockets, running belts, running vest, carrying a hand bottle or hydration packs.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Yes, as long as they don’t mind navigating road closures and crowds. There is a RunFarUSA app they can follow for live tracking, in addition to your Garmin or Strava options. I carry my phone, and my husband was able to track me in tandem with the app. My friend and I ran separate paces before the first mile. I finally only caught up to her at mile 24, but we texted each other starting around mile 20 checking all was good.

How’s the Swag?

The best around! They have running shirts and finisher shirts. Medals that fit a different theme each year, or that you can combine with the previous series. They also have a “Challenge,” which is running a race distance both days, and another medal. The shirts are drywicking, and they also have a store online and in person at the Expo that you can buy hoodies and hats, additional merchandise.

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

5, I absolutely recommend this one for all distances. It’s my favorite and unique to our town culture/history.

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

Vibram HK100 Race Report – Alex Neyrinck

Race: Vibram HK100

Runner: Alex Neyrinck

Race Date: 02/18/2023

Location: Hong Kong

Results: 15/1861

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/8581640582

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

  1. Really well organised race – with great volunteers, checkpoints and a mix of Hong Kong Trails.
  2. Good international scene, with some top runners from around the world.
  3. Ability to have support crew at most checkpoints.

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

  1. Difficulty to access some of the checkpoints, finishes if you don’t know Hong Kong.
  2. Award ceremony is rushed after the top 10 have arrived. Would be worth doing it the next day or something.

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

Running on a mix of road, beaches, very technical trails & steps steps steps!!

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

Running during sunrise onto the beaches. Really enjoyed all the volunteers (HK scouts) – with many children cheering along.

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

  • The race is won during the second half and its easy to overcook it in the first half. Circa. 2/3rds of the elevation is in the last 40km.
  • Don’t underestimate how hot and humid it can get, even during February.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

  • Pace the first half better, be patient and work on some of the technical parts of the trail. Don’t underestimate how hot it can get, even in February.
  • Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race
  • Be familiar with climbing/going down steps. Hong Kong is a very tough surface to run on, so having good padded shoes will help. Also the weather is often a critical factor in Hong Kong.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Amazing course, sceneries of beaches, the city and mountains. A must recommend.

Photo: Sportograf.com

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

It is definitely a tough course.

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

Very well organised. Been going for circa 15 years.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

I’d say a strong field for the first 50-100 runners. The Top 10 are usually professional 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.

Hong Kong (in usual times) is a very accessible city, with many hotels and good infrastructure. English is also commonly spoken so its not an issue. The organisation really communicates well, so it shouldn’t be an issue.

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

Good aid stations. Water, Coca-Cola, sport drinks, banana’s oranges, nuts, noodles etc… Staff is also very helpful in refilling bottles and putting your nutrition in them for you.

Weather and typical race conditions

February is normally between 15 – 20 degrees. It can be humid as well. Quite hard to predict. Weather could easily be 26 degrees as well!!

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

Poles are helpful on the hills. Otherwise the usual gear.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

The first half is a bit difficult to access. The second half can be accessed via Taxi for most of the places.

How’s the Swag?

The team and volunteers are top class.

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

  • Out of 5 Stars, I’d give it a solid 4.5 / 5. Recommend running it. Also available in 33KM, 50KM and Grand Slam (I.e., 33KM, 50KM and 100KM over 3 days).
  • What is missing is a good award ceremony the next day. They do it shortly after the top 10 have arrived…
Photo: Sportograf.com

Rock n Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon Race Report – Ava Sorell

Race: Rock and Roll Las Vegas

Runner: Ava Sorell

Race Date: 02/26/2023

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

Results: https://www.runrocknroll.com/las-vegas-results

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/8628892082

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

  1. Race started at 4:30pm, which is when I usually run (you morning people can keep your sunrise training)
  2. The downhill from miles 2-9 let you groove and focus on efficiency (and bank some time below goal pace).
  3. Running on The Vegas Strip was fun! We finished early enough to get a selfie with Laura Thweatt! 🙂

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

The last 4 miles uphill was longer and more challenging than it seemed. It was tempting to go too hard on the first 2 miles of it. A few of the elite women dropped out from miles 10-12.

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

I wanted to run the Marathon OTQ pace (1:18:30), and went well under with the 1:16:57! 🙂

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Yes and No. The course makes it easy to be efficient and PR. If you use the middle miles to go slightly faster than pace, but not overly so, and you make sure to pace yourself for a full 4 miles on the uphill at the end, you’ll almost certainly PR at this race.

Having a good HRM on your wrist, and being dialed in with where your Lactate Threshold is (mine is 183/184) is really useful in not overdoing it.

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

*** For those that don’t know ***

The lead car led the elite field the wrong way (which was awful given there was >$40,000 in prize money at this race, and this screw up affected final places). Everyone who went through the first mile in sub 5:35 was instructed to turn early, cutting a full Kilometer off of the race. Only the top 3 women were affected, and a bike chased them down and made them turn around and backtrack the miles (with Laura T. needing to back track the furthest… She didn’t pass me until mile 8 because she had to run an extra .7 miles). The men’s field was all disqualified (which is why the men’s results start around 1:12).

It was a huge screw up, and was really wild to watch live as they made the course correction right in front of me. (I still ran the full course, but only had ~10 people in front of me instead of ~80).

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Most years it’s only moderately competitive. But this year it was the site for the Rock and Roll Championships, so there was a large purse and it was significantly more competitive than normal.

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 Vegas, so there was plenty of lodging. The race didn’t affect lodging availability like it would at smaller cities. You could register online up to the week before the race.
  • If you are sub 1:25 for Women and sub 1:11 for men, you qualify for the Elite program for any Rock and Roll race, which is a really nice perk https://www.runrocknroll.com/elite-athlete-program

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

Every 2 miles

Weather and typical race conditions

55 degrees, 10 MPH wind

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

Definitely 4 stars out of 5. The course is a great speed workout. The strip is pretty, but I’ve ran prettier races.

Richland Run Fest Half Marathon Race Report – Sarah Garza

Race: Richland Run Fest Half Marathon

Runner: Sarah Garza

Race Date: 02/25/2023

Location: Richland, Washington

Results: 1:56:10

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

No cars to worry about on the race path.

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

Too many out-and-backs (3 of them). Additionally, Richland has a lot of walking/bike paths that they could have chosen to keep the racecourse on, but I really didn’t like that they kept the course along the roads instead of the paths along the river. My suspicion is they wanted to add hills to the race, so they did what they did for that reason. But it didn’t make for great scenery.

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

Although I didn’t do as well as I had hoped, I still did a PR for my half marathon time.

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

Mile 8 was brutal. It got me! Keep your head in the race the whole time!

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Fuel and hydrate better for the cold weather.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

All of mile 8 is uphill.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Could have been better.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

The course itself is not overly difficult, however there are head games involved because it is a low-grade hilly course with 3 parts with out and backs on some of the steeper parts of the course. Plus, it was 19 degrees out!

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

Seemed pretty organized aside from the start of the race where they just counted down and shouted “GO!”

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Moderately competitive, but I’d say there were a number of strong runners in the bunch!

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.

The more the merrier!

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

Water, Gatorade, and gels.

Weather and typical race conditions

  • 19 Degrees F; no wind or snow though.
  • We had a cold snap this year, so normally I think it’s around 35-40 degrees out in Richland in February.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

My friends didn’t want to be in the cold!

How’s the Swag?

It’s OK – a medal and a long-sleeved hooded shirt for the 13.1 mile.

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

4/10. In the future I might do the 5k – unless they re-route the course along the Columbia River then I’ll reconsider!

Austin Half Marathon Race Report – Scott Sayler

Race: The Ascension Seton Austin Half Marathon

Runner: Coach Scott Sayler

Race Date: 02/19/2023

Location: Austin, TX

Results: 1:52:44

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/8589711276

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

  1. The Half/Full Marathon were sold out with 18,000 runners strong.
  2. Well organized with “Start/Finish” about 1/2 mile apart with “Gear Check” and plenty of porta-potties in between.
  3. A very challenging rolling hill course with nearly 600′ of elevation gain. The first 3 miles had a 300′ elevation gain. There were only a few miles of nearly flat terrain. The last three miles had three very steep and long climbs. You might be wondering why I’m listing this as something that I liked about the race course. This was a tuneup race for the upcoming Boston Marathon. And although Boston, unlike Austin, begins with a big downhill portion, managing my energy over this rolling course was great preparation for Boston as most of my racing has been on flat terrain.

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

  • I was hoping for a few more bands along the route. After all, this is Austin. The bands that were out playing were awesome.
  • If you’re trying to qualify for Boston, this is a very challenging course.
  • The post race food/drinks was disappointing. No bananas, orange slices.

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

At the 12 mile mark there was a very steep hill that was about 300m long.

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

  • I feel very good about how I executed the race plan. I managed my energy over the rolling hills so that I could put the hammer down and race hard the last 3-4 miles. This resulted in a Top 5 Age Group finish. My fitness is right where it needs to be as I prepare for Boston.

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

  • Between the Start and the Gear Check area, each cross street off of Congress had plenty of porta-potties. The further you got away from the start the less crowed the bathrooms were. There were some pretty long lines down by the start. A few blocks away 5-6 people.
  • Like most half or fulls, go out slow. On this course, with the first 3 miles being uphill, it’s imperative.
  • As Matt Fitzgerald addresses in his book titled: “How Bad Do You Want It?” “Brace yourself for the three hills between mile 9.5 and 12.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Just before the race started, literally a minute or two, I looked down and noticed that I hadn’t double knotted my shoes. As I reached down to double knot, my left shoe laces got tangled up. I thought I was going to get trampled by the crowd, but managed to avoid disaster by getting it untangled and taken care of. That was a close one.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Already mentioned multiple times: A very hilly course

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Yes. It’s a nice course through the city.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Yes. It’s a tough course.

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

Yes! Very well organized

Competition – Is there a strong field?

A strong field. The half and the full marathon race side by side for the first 12.5 miles, so if you’re running the half, there will be plenty of people to pull you along and inspire 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.

This was an easy race to sign up for. If you’re traveling from out of town, like many of the big city races, the downtown hotels raise their prices. The hotels were quite bit less expensive on the south side of Lady Bird Lake. And it was an easy 1 mile walk to the start.

Weather and typical race conditions

We had ideal racing conditions. The start temperatures were in the high 40s and moved up into the low 50s with a light breeze.

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

No special gear required

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Yes! There are plenty of great places to watch the race from. It was very crowed at the finish. You definitely need to make very specific plans to meet someone after the race. My wife chose to meet me back at the hotel. Much easier that way.

How’s the Swag?

The Austin Marathon was three for three on the swag. An awesome Under Armour short sleeve t-shirt, running ball cap and a finishing medal that can be used as a big time cowboy belt buckle. Some of the coolest swag I’ve seen at a race.

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

FIVE STARS. I do recommend this race but not if you’re trying to qualify for Boston for the first time. It’s a great race to prepare for Boston.

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

Jackalope Jam 24 Hour Race Report – Lydia Schrandt

Race: Jackalope Jam 24 Hours

Runner: Lydia Schrandt

Race Date: 02/18/2023

Location: Cat Spring, TX

Results: 66 miles

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/8586344654

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

  1. The community. Everyone was super welcoming and supportive and cheered each runner’s accomplishments equally, whether a half marathon or 200 miles.
  2. Easy access to the aid station every 1.5 miles. This means you don’t have to wear a vest or carry much of anything, and you can test out different nutrition strategies.
  3. Organization. Trail Racing Over Texas puts on great events.

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

The course is pretty flat, which was hard on the body as the miles climbed.

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

You’re running a 1.5-mile out-and-back around the “cone of death,” which is a beat up orange traffic cone wrapped in flashing Christmas lights. It’s a bit surreal when you’re approaching the cone at 4am, slightly delirious, with no other runners around.

The appropriately named, Cone of Death

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

I managed to shave almost an hour off my 50k time, and I managed to pass the 50-mile and 100k marks for the first time.

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

Stick to your plan. The event has runners tackling times between 6 and 100 hours, so you’ll see other runners moving at a fast clip and others walking at a leisurely pace. This makes it extra important to run your race and not get distracted by what others are doing.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

I need to tinker with fueling after the 9-hour mark. At that point, nothing sounded appetizing, and at one point, even water made my stomach turn. Once I let nutrition get away from me, my performance (and ability to keep warm) began to erode.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

It’s a flat gravel road with zero shade or shelter from wind.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

It’s nice enough, but aesthetics aren’t really the point of this one.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

No, other than the fact that the flat path can get monotonous.

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.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

It’s a pretty small field – only 35 runners for the 24-hour event. Mostly local Texas 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.

The ranch that hosts the race offers free camping. You can set up a tent right alongside the first 400 meters or so of the course, so you have easy access to whatever you need. There are also RV sites available, and a few small hotels in nearby towns. You can usually register right up to when the race begins.

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

The aid stations generally have water, Gatorade, Base Performance, and a few different types of sodas. There was a nice range of sweet and savory snacks (fruit, trail mix, cookies, chips, pretzels), and at nights, hot foods like ramen noodles and pierogis.

Weather and typical race conditions

It ranged between 40 and 58 degrees for the 24 hour race, but last year had freezing rain and sub-freezing temperatures. Other years have reached the 80s.

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

Definitely a head or waist lamp at night.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Yes, lots of spectators and crews come and camp alongside the course.

How’s the Swag?

Everyone gets a wooden medal and a hoodie, plus buckles for 100k+ finishers.

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

4/5

AU Jaipur International Half Marathon Race Report – Amrit Panda

Race: AU Jaipur International Half Marathon

Runner: Amrit Panda

Race Date: 02/05/2023

Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Results: https://www.sportstimingsolutions.in/results.php?e_id=72222&e_name=AUJaipurMarathon2023

Strava Activity Link: https://strava.app.link/bhAA7s90dxb

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

  1. Overall very well organized and volunteers were awesome.
  2. Fun course.
  3. Solid pacer team line up.

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

Pollution.

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

The full marathon start time was 3:15 AM while the HM was 5:30 AM. Daylight was around 6:15 AM. Number of runners with headlamps, NONE. The entire route was so well lit with street lights no headlamps were needed.

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

Stayed slightly conservative pace wise and enjoyed the course. I usually find my self running alone, but this time around ran next to the pacer and their friend and running as a ‘bus’ as they call it here was fun.

3 min PR to finally get under 1:40, huge thanks to coach Woolley.

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

PR friendly course but don’t get tempted by the downhill start.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Surprisingly, everything went as planned – one of those days.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Start is downhill, but finish is moderate uphill. Don’t get too excited at the beginning.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Yes, from a city tour point of view. It takes you through some of the prominent tourist attractions in the city. However, the pollution is yucky. Early start mitigates part of it but you can certainly feel it.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Nope. Easy course, mostly flat with a couple of gentle hills. Total elevation gain around 250′

Start/finish point

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 in my opinion. The only hiccups one could face is the difference in terminology. For example when asked about bag drop I was told there wasn’t any at start line. It’s called a baggage counter 🙂

Expo was not very grand but had all the info you need. Open air expo spread around 3000 sq. ft or so Bib pick up was easy.

Outdoor race expo

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Not really.

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.

The only thing to keep in mind would be Jaipur is one of the tourism hot spots and Feb is the peak season. Early reservations for hotels recommended.

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

Standard fare for the most part. Water was in 8 oz. bottles, energy drinks in cups. No gels, salted oranges instead. Very generously spaced.

Weather and typical race conditions

Perfect conditions with temps around 50 F and low humidity.

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

Nothing special.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Yes very spectator friendly course. There was a runner with me who was being paced/filmed on a motorized scooter. Non-elite but I later found out she won the overall female so I’m not sure what the scooter was all about. Friends and family all along the course.

How’s the Swag?

Meh!! Jersey and a tote bag 🙂 However, the finisher’s medal was pretty cool.

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

3/5

Easy course to go after a PR. Well organized event and friendly vibe all along. I happened to be in Jaipur around this time and decided to race otherwise I don’t think it’s worth pursuing, might be easy to get podium though 🙂

Elephant Mountain 22k Race Report – Erica Kollen

Race: Elephant Mountain 22K

Runner: Erica Kollen

Race Date: 02/04/2023

Location: Cave Creek Arizona

Results: 2:50

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

The AZ Desert never disappoints. Beautiful scenery, very well marked trails, and no crowds. There were very few hikers/bikers on the trail, that were not part of the event.

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

The terrain for the 22K was extremely rocky/technical. They only show smooth spots on race website, which were mostly on the 50k/50mile route. It is hard to check out the beautiful scenery unless you stop. One last thing. Aravaipa does not do age group awards. I placed 3rd in 50-59 and got no recognition for it! Hahaha! I want a medal!

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

It includes an out and back, as well as a loop.

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

As always, Aravaipa races are very well organized. There is so much comraderie on the trail. The weather could not have been more perfect, sunny, mid 40’s at start, mid 50’s at finish.

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

For the 22K, there was an aid station at mile 3, 6, 9..then 4.8 to finish. Most Aravaipa races are about .5 miles longer than expected. No need to carry much with you, unless u prefer not to stop.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Last year I wished I hadn’t pushed so hard on the early climbs, because the last 4.8 miles were very steep, rocky, and hills felt never ending. This year I hiked early on and crushed the backside, finishing 31 min faster this year!

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Be prepared for AZ weather. It can be extremely hot and/or stormy this time of year. Wear gaiters due to lots of loose rock. I saw people who were running 50k/mile with poles. They may help on the longer distances, but not the 22k.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

The course is beyond beautiful. The AZ desert is very green from the many rain storms we had this year. Zero trash on the trails and no sights of cars nor roads.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

The course is challenging but definitely not in the top 5 hardest that Aravaipa offers. I’d love to do the 50 mile some day.

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

Very well organized, lots of fuel choices and they also offer vegan options.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Not so much.

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

You can register up until day of race, but won’t be guaranteed a shirt.

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

Gnarly Fuel 2O..electrolytes, standard snacks/fruit. Quesidillas at finish.

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

It’s a cupless event. Be sure to have a flask.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

No spectators on course, just at start/finish.

How’s the Swag?

Awesome blue technical t shirt. Finisher glass tumbler with elephant logo.

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

I give it 4 stars. I love this race. It’s my 3rd time coming back to it. I just wish the terrain was more forgiving.

Elephant Mountain 12k Race Report – Kiona Ogle

Race: Elephant Mountain Trail Runs, 12K

Runner: Kiona Ogle

Race Date: 02/04/2023

Location: Cave Creek Regional Park, Cave Creek, AZ

Results: https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=94657

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

  1. The scenery. The desert landscape is beautiful this time of year!
  2. The course. The trails are challenging, but very runnable. There are a few long hills that are challenging, but they are followed by downhill sections that are fun for running fast!
  3. The organization. The race is put on by Aravaipa, and it is exceptionally well organized.

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

I used to be able to park on-site, but this year, people running the 12K (and two other races) had to park off site and take a bus to the race location. I prefer the convenience of parking on site and having access to my pre- and post-race gear.

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

There’s good chance that you’ll run through or smell horse poop.

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

I really enjoy being able to pick up speed and stretch the legs on the downhill sections. There are a few relatively long downhill sections that are very runnable (pretty smooth, minimal rocks). Also, I’ve run this race four times over the past 5-6 years, and the weather has been perfect every time! The longer distances likely experience some heat later in the day, but generally not the 12K.

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

Be a little conservative the first mile or so, which involves mostly running up switchbacks. There’s another challenging hill section from about mile 3.5-4.5, and don’t feel bad about walking the last steep section! Also, I suggest bringing fluids, even though this is a relatively short distance; the air is dry, and it can get warm.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

This was my fourth time running this race and this course, and I learned from past races how to tackle the hills: “steady and strong.” Also, the first time I ran this race, I had a major fall because I tripped on my shoe laces (the bungee type) — so, I learned to use regular shoe laces and double tie!

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Don’t go out too hard, be a little conservative on the first uphill section, and you need to turn-around at the aid station at the out-and-back section (I missed the turn-around my first time, and I ran an extra 1/4 – 1/2 mile).

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Stunning!! I will keep coming back.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Yes, relatively tough. There are some challenging hills, and a short, moderately technical section through a desert wash.

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

Exceptionally well organized by Aravaipa!

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Yes, competition is generally pretty strong. I was second woman this year, and the first place woman set a course record and finished first overall. She was flying!

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

Easy to register, so far. But, I do worry that as the Aravaipa races get more and more popular (their size grows every year) that there’ll be a time when one will have to register far in advance. Also, I like to camp at the Cave Creek Regional Park (walking distance from race location), but the campsites are often booked far in advance; I couldn’t camp there this year.

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

I rarely stop at the aid stations, so can’t say much about them. But, important to note that they are cupless — you have to bring your own water bottle, etc.

Weather and typical race conditions

Weather is almost always perfect, but can get hot for the longer (ultra) races. If it hasn’t rained in a while, the trails can be dusty, which is most noticeable at the start, but once it thins out and there are fewer people running near you, the dust isn’t an issue.

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

I always wear a hat, sun glasses, and sun screen. Trail running shoes with good traction are great for allowing you to let loose on the downhills.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Generally, yes. And, people often bring their dogs, too. There’s a play ground for the kiddos.

How’s the Swag?

Great. Really nice t-shirts and post-race option of a unique, hand-made “metal” or a glass or mug of some sort (wine glasses this year). Podium finishers also get unique, hand made trophies. The trophies and metals seem to change each year. There’s usually a “swag shop” on-site, and I often raid the sale bins; can get some great deals on hats, neck gators, shirts, and other items.

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

5 out of 5; yes, I’d recommend it, reluctantly (I don’t want the race to grow too much more in size!).

Mesa Marathon Race Report – David Ha

Photo: Mesa Marathon Photographer. Official Race Photo

Race: Mesa Marathon

Runner: David Ha

Race Date: 02/04/2023

Location: Mesa, AZ

Results: 3:03:55

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

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

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

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

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

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

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

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

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

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

Competition – Is there a strong field?

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

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

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

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

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

Weather and typical race conditions

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

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

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

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

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

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

How’s the Swag?

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

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

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

Franklin Mountains Trail Run 55k Race Report – Frank Fisher

Race: Franklin Mountains Trail Runs 55k

Runner: Coach Frank Fisher

Race Date: 01/21/2023

Location: El Paso, TX

Results: 6th place 9:19

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/8430523651/overview

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

I loved the technical challenging nature of the course. The scenery is awesome, and I enjoyed the lowkey relaxed vibe. This was one of my more enjoyable and memorable race experiences yet.

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

Honestly, no complaints on this one.

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

There’s a few things about that race that are kind of weird. It starts when the rubber chicken goes off, though we had to have a little bit of an extra “leave already” from the RD as most were confused by the chicken. It feels super remote even though the mountain chain the course is on runs through the middle of the city of El Paso. There was an escaped fugitive running around part of the race course that the cops had to track down (helicopters and all) in the middle of the 50 mile racers. No podium awards, and the results aren’t “exact,” which might bug some people. The 55k is much, much closer to 60k than 55k.

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

Well, maybe not a highlight, but I face planted and dislocated a finger around mile 21. Despite that, I had an awesome day! This is hands down the most technical ultra I’ve run, which was really enjoyable for me. I knew it was going to be a long day so I approached it more like a 50 miler, with a focus on being efficient over speed. That strategy paid off well, and I felt great the majority of the race minus the period post crash and the last mile or so of the big climb (elevation/long climb combo were tough!). I really enjoyed being able to race in my hometown and the mountains I grew up on, such a beautiful and underrated part of the country.

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

This is a HARD course! The vast majority of it is rocky and technical with some tough climbs and tricky descents. There are sections that might make you pucker up if you’re scared of heights, lots of washouts and a few spots where some scrambling is required. Although I thought the course was well marked you do have to pay attention, and it helps to have the map handy. This is not a course for beginners. If I were the RD, I would probably have some pre-recs to race the 55k and the 50 miler. I also highly suggest reading the race manual and attending the online pre-race meeting.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

You really have to stay on your toes and pay attention on this course. I knew that going in, and I still crashed. I also saw a guy face plant into a prickly pear, and one other dude broke his finger too, so be careful. There are some sections in the first half of the race that you can take advantage of and open it up some.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

This course starts with a hard climb in the first 1.5 miles. The next 13-14 miles are the fastest section of the course. A lot of the climbs/descents don’t look terrible on the elevation profile, but the rocky nature just slows you down. There’s only 3 aid stations throughout the 37-ish miles, so you need to be sure you have all you need when you leave the aid stations. From mile 23 to 35 there’s only a water stop and it’s around mile 26. This is also the hardest part of the course with a 3000 ft climb up to just over 7000 feet. The middle section of the big descent is slow and technical, and the footing can get difficult. That turn is also easy to miss, but there are signs. The last 1.5 miles to the finish are no joke either.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Yes, classic desert southwest. You can see for miles from the top of the mountain with views of Texas, Mexico and even snow capped mountains in New Mexico.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Yes!

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

Excellent race organization. It was a smaller race numbers wise, but very well done with a full weekend of different race options. Volunteers were fantastic, and the RD, John, was awesome.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

It’s not a big field, but it seems to attract a well experienced crowd. No elite level runners, but plenty of 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.

Easy to get into, right in the middle of town so race morning is a breeze. El Paso is a big city with great food and plenty to do. It’s also very cheap!

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

Standard stuff, but as mentioned, only 3 full aid stations on the course and there’s huge gap between 2 and 3.

Weather and typical race conditions

Sunny, cold and windy. It was 22* at the race start, warmed up to low 50’s. The sun makes if feel warmer than it is till the wind picks up later in the day. You definitely need to layer up for a long day. Once the sun starts to set it gets cold quick, so an extra jacket or something would be smart.

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

One of the few courses I might recommend poles for. You definitely want some heavier lugs on your shoes that grip well on rock and loose dirt. Layer up and be ready for a 30* average temperature swing throughout the day.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

The start finish is in Tom Mays park which is really nice for friends and family. You can also see a lot of the finish there, but the rest of the course is hard to get to and they prefer not to have spectators.

How’s the Swag?

Cool t-shirt.

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

5 out of 5 stars!

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

Mountain Mist 50k Race Report – Lukas Burrer

Race: Mountain Mist Ultra (50k)

Runner: Lukas Burrer

Race Date: 01/28/2023

Location: Huntsville, AL

Results: 5:45:56

Strava Activity Link: https://strava.app.link/52jGc0D30wb

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

  • Beautiful trails
  • A lot of rolling hills
  • Steep climbs

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

It was very muddy and slippery

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

  • Hit my sub 6h time goal
  • Made some new friends during the run

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

First half is way easier than the second half! Pretty much all the vertical is happening during the second half

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

I brought too much water and food. It was just extra weight I had to carry around all the time

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Safe enough energy for the second half

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Yes! Some very nice and pretty trails

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Yes! Very steep climbs at the end

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

It was very good organized

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Yeah it’s pretty competitive

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.

Sells out pretty fast

Weather and typical race conditions

Usually very cold

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

Waterproof shoes would help a lot

How’s the Swag?

It’s fun

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

5/5

Would recommend it to everyone

Fred Lebow Manhattan Half Marathon Race Report – Devora Courtney

Race: Fred Lebow Manhattan Half

Runner: Devora Courtney

Race Date: 01/22/2023

Location: Central Park, NYC

Results: 1:57:52

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/8434234598

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

  1. It’s close to home (I live in the Bronx) and easy to get to.
  2. It’s hilly, but there is a considerable amount of down to balance the up.
  3. It’s a nice size (5,000) runners and pretty park scenery.

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

3 times up Harlem Hill is cruelty to runners (it used to be 2…they adjusted the course).

I don’t love races that are out and back or double loops. I like running from point A to point B with no repeats.

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

January. January is the weirdest thing about this race. Weather is unpredictable.

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

I’ve run this race a total of three times: 2018 (2:02:25 – second half ever and a 4 minute PR but not a sub 2), 2022 (2:07 – I went out too fast, was overtrained, and completely mentally and physically imploded. It set me back quite a bit and was a big impetus for me hiring a coach in the months after). This was an awful race I was really anxious about it happening again and was so happy to have run this well with an even effort thanks to Coach Gilpatrick!

What I did well: I started one corral back and went out with a slower pace team so I wouldn’t blow up mid-race. I ran an even effort for the entire race.

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

The first Harlem Hill is Mile 1. Start slower than you think you need to. It will be easier to pick up speed on the downhills after Mile 2 but if you go out too quickly you will gas out at the mid – race Harlem Hill lap.

Mentally chunk the race. I hate loops so I broke the race down into 2-3 mile segments to focus on at a time. This helped me keep going even when I got “bored” or wanted to stop.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Don’t take a quick walk so close to the end (last Harlem Hill). I still was well within my goal time but need to work on giving more at the finish.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

There are some rolling hills right after Harlem Hill that are challenging because they are slow and gradual inclines. Harlem Hill is the “big hill” but these subsequent hills creep up on you as well. Keep your effort up Harlem Hill and these hills similar (about two miles). Your body will thank you.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Yes!

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

YES.

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

NYRR races are always well – run.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Didn’t pay attention.

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.

NYRR races tend to sell out. This one is usually available through early – mid December but you can’t just show up on race day.

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

Classic water/gatorade. There is a gel station but I bring my own. The gatorade came in handy when I reached for my second gel at Mile 9 and realized it had fallen out of my pocket. A few sips at the next aid station carried me through.

Weather and typical race conditions

Climate change is real and January is erratic in NYC. This year the conditions were PERFECT! 35 at the start and overcast skies.

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

Nothing out of the ordinary.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Yes. It’s not a crowded race so you can really spectate anywhere on the course.

How’s the Swag?

I love beanies and I run in them all the time in the winter. I don’t really care about medals but am happy to accept one always.

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

4/5 stars. It is overall a challenging course and when you run it well, you will feel a wonderful sense of accomplishment. The 4 stars are due to difficulty of the course (3 Harlem Hills is just mean) and unpredictability of the weather. It also took me a long time to sub – 2 this race. Everything else is great!

Frost Eagle Trail Run 5 Mile Race Report – Brandon Tower

Race: Frost Eagle Trail Run – 5 Miles

Runner: Brandon Tower

Race Date: 01/21/2023

Location: Soaring Eagle Regional Park, Sammamish, WA

Results: 33:15 – 3rd Place

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

  • For a trail course, its a good mix of flats and rollers. Nothing so steep that you had to walk, but it had enough variety to keep it interesting and true to trail racing. It was very technical (roots and rocks) but I think that made the course more fun, not less
  • Very well marked course. Even though it’s got a lot of twists and turns, following the course was really easy (although I almost made a wrong turn at the very end before I was saved by some kind spectators!)
  • Easy logistics. Not much more than driving to the park, grabbing a bib, and running. The porter-potty to runner ratio was also great

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

Limited parking. For those running the 5 mile race (which starts later) the only parking is along the road. I was one of the first there for the 5 mile race, and I was about a quarter mile away from the start line. Many others looked like they were parked more than half a mile away from the start. Not a huge deal, but if you need things pre-race that you want locked in your car before the race starts, your trip to the car could be something you have to build into the warm up

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

The podium prize is a coffee mug

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

The technical nature of the course creates a different athletic challenge than you’d get running a classic road race. I think this made it a lot of fun! While there were a number of tripping hazards, if you enjoy trail running, I think this is a great course

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

There’s a lot of tight singletrack. If you need to pass another runner, it might require some tactical maneuvering to do so safely and efficiently.

If the course is dry, the ground pretty well packed. I saw at least one runner using the Nike Vaporflys, and they didn’t seem to have any issues with traction. I used a heavy tread shoe myself though

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Should have paced myself better. I tried to hang with the eventual winner for too long, and I paid for it in the back-half of the race.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Keep an eye out for roots and rocks.

Also, the tree cover definitely messes with the GPS watch. The Strava posts I saw all had different distances for the 5 mile course, so the distance/pace monitor isn’t going to be reliable. This became tricky at the end. I had to make a turn towards the end, where one direction went to the finish, and the other took you back out. I thought I still had another quarter-mile to go, so I almost took the wrong direction. Fortunately, some spectators got me going the right way!

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Classic forest/wood trail run. The trail is well-kept and scenic

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Not especially. The course has some short rollers, but it feels mostly flat by trail standards.

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

This group knew what they were doing. Course was well marked, things ran on time, and the experience was smooth.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

It’s a smaller race, probably only 200-300 for both the 5 mile and half marathon. There were some strong runners out there, but its not as deep as other marquee events.

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.

About as easy as it gets. Sign up online, show up on race day, and run. If you’re local, this is a simple one.

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

Aid stations were available out on the course. The course is a figure 8, done twice for the half marathon. The aid station is at the 8’s intersection, so you have plenty of opportunities to get aid if you’re looking for it.

Weather and typical race conditions

It’s a late January race, so it’s colder. I missed any rain, but if it had been wet, the course would have been a lot slower.

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

Nothing special. There’s a tent where you can keep a bag of dry clothes for when the race is done.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

There’s a few places you could post up near the beginning/end of the course.

How’s the Swag?

T-shirts are an additional cost.

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

Pretty close to 5 out of 5. Not many areas they could improve on. Race is a lot of fun and very well organized.

Coldwater Rumble 20 Miler Race Report – Erica Kollen

Race: Coldwater Rumble 20 mile

Runner: Erica Kollen

Race Date: 01/14/2023

Location: Goodyear AZ, Estrella Mountains

Results: 4:35 6th in age group

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

The event was Aravaipa run, so it was very well organized and the trail markings were fantastic. The camaraderie on the course was very nice, everyone cheering each other on, on this very challenging course. It was nice having 30 min between each race category, so no big crowds on the trail at any time. I also liked the shape of the route..lol.. No out and backs. Large loop.

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

The course is a 20 mile loop. All start clockwise. The 100 mile and 52 mile categories change loop direction each time. I ran the 20 mile. So at mile 13, the elite of the 100 and 52 were now running into my direction. The trail was very narrow and rocky, so we needed to move off to the side, many times, to allow the elite to pass. It was hard for me to get my groove back! There was a 3 mile section (mile 12.5-15.5) that was nothing but thick beach sand, which caused some cramping. There wasn’t a whole lot of trail where you could run without the challenge of lots of boulders, sand, or going up/down steep washes.

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

There was on spot on the race, only this one, where there were huge chunks of quartz rock. Looked like heaps of snow! I thought I was hallucinating seeing it from a distance. I wish I had taken a photo.

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

As much as I hated the challenge, I loved the challenge. It was, by far, the most technical race I have done and I felt so proud when I finished. I had signed up for this last minute. I couldn’t sleep, so was on instagram and saw aravaipa post it is the last night to sign up online for this race. I asked my coach and he said to go for it, so I did! Aravaipa caters to vegan runners, offering chickpea salad sandwiches, vegan quesadillas, amongst many other choices. I met some new friends out there and enjoyed the after party/beer garden/music.

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

I am not even near far from being elite..haha. My recommendation for someone who wants to finish this without too much injury would be to train running in sand, thick sand. I had never done that and got bad foot cramps. WEAR GAITERS to avoid the sand piling in your shoes. No need to carry a whole lot of fuel on this one. No super long distances between aid stations (3.4-7miles) Hiking poles will only add extra weight to your pack.. there is no area where they would come in handy. This is a cupless event, so you need to carry your own cup if you want gnarly fuel/electrolyte drink at aid stations. Aravaipa sells collapsable cups.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

I’m learning to pace myself better. As my coach, Tom Scott, said. “If I don’t feel I could run up this hill at mile 20, don’t try to run up it at mile 1”, power hiking is so beneficial and saved me on this one.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Just be prepared for very steep climbs/descents, sand, narrow trails and very rocky terrain in many areas. Saying that though, the AZ desert is beautiful, but I recommend, if you are a beginner or clumsy, only look up if standing still…

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

The AZ mountains are beautiful. Lots of cacti and this route offered quartz rock, which the estrellas are known for.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

This is a very tough course, which even the elite agree. I am very glad I did it, but can’t say I’d do it again.

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

Aravaipa races are always so well organized. This year, they had a lot of volunteers cancel and were in need of help at aid stations, which was difficult to get due to the expected rain. They still managed to keep it all together.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Not sure how to answer this. It doesn’t feel like anyone is really competing with anyone, other than themselves. But those placing in top 5 may feel different.

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

Very easy to register, as I did last minute, but gets very expensive the longer you wait. And, the later you register, you are not guaranteed a race shirt.

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

As mentioned earlier, lots of food at all aid stations. Gnarly Fuel H20 and electrolyte drink, as well as soda/water.

Weather and typical race conditions

You never know what you will get in AZ. This year was perfect. 46 at start, high of 50’s. I heard one year was in high 80’s. The 100 milers unfortunately had rain overnight.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

No spectators on course.

How’s the Swag?

Nice T shirt this year and wine tumbler looking glass mug for finishers. The elite get buckles and trophies, I believe.

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

This was not my favorite race. I give 5 stars to aravaipa, but 2-3 for this course.

Dopey Challenge Race Report – Lydia Schrandt

Race: Dopey Challenge

Runner: Lydia Schrandt

Race Date: 01/05/2023

Location: Orlando, Florida

Results: Finished!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

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

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

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

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

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

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

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

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

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

Competition – Is there a strong field?

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

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

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

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

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

Weather and typical race conditions

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

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

It’s Disney, so have fun with it.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

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

How’s the Swag?

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

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

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

Hoka Bandera 25k Race Report – Frank Fisher

Race: Hoka Bandera Endurance Event 25k

Runner: Coach Frank Fisher

Race Date: 01/08/2023

Location: Bandera, TX

Results: 18th, 2:26:31

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/8360705673/overview

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

It’s a super cool weekend with the 100k being a Golden Ticket race, so the vibes are fantastic! I really liked the course; challenging, technical but still fun and runnable. It’s fairly big for a trail race so lots of good competition close to home for me.

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

Parking was not great, but not the worst. Other than that, I didn’t have any issues.

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

We have this super fun plant here in central Texas called the sotol. It’s like if you sent an aloe plant to spend the summer in hell and it came back angry and dehydrated with lots of tiny razor sharp teeth. The course is covered in these plants, and they’re almost impossible to miss while you’re running. At the same time they don’t really hurt when you run through them, you’ll just have a these tiny little cuts on your legs at the end of the day.

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

This was more of a hard training run for me, so not an ‘A’ race. My goal was to have a good strong run and beat my legs up a bit, so in the words of GW, “Mission accomplished!” I managed my effort really well, stayed on top of nutrition and hydration and had a solid race start to finish. The climbs and descents were strong, I handled the technical portions well, and came out unscathed (besides aforementioned minor scratches). I also wanted to stick my nose in it a little earlier in the race and ‘race it’, which I did, just so happened to be a really fast year.

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

Don’t worry about the sotol. The climbs are punchy but short. Shoe choice is worth considering. You’ll want something with some heavier lugs and a rock plate, or lots of cushion to protect your feet. I did slip a fair bit, but lots of dry rocky sections with loose dirt, and also a good amount of bare rock on the downhills which can also be slick for some outsole compounds.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Arrive a little earlier for better parking. The course is tough, but not scary tough. It’s very runnable so don’t be afraid to attack the front section a little harder.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Lots of rocks, but if you stay focused and go it’s not as slow as it looks. The first 7.5 miles are the most technical and slower part of the course, which is also where most of the vert comes in as you go up and down 3 large hills. It gets fast after that till the last climb around mile 13.5 which is probably the steepest and rockiest climb of the whole course, but it’s super short and only takes a 1-2 minutes. It pitches down real quick to a short technical descent and then you can hammer home the last 1.5 miles.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Yes, this is a very pretty part of Texas. Quintessential Hill Country with a number of really nice views along the course.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Yes. If Courtney Dauwalter says it’s tough, I think it’s tough. Although it doesn’t have a ton of vert, the technicality and punchy ups and downs make it a challenge. The conditions can certainly add to it too.

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

Very well done! Tejas Trails kills it.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Yes! Lots of super fast regional folks as well as out of state peeps. I was impressed with how fast this race was. My time would normally be top 10, so this was an extra fast year. It made it lots of fun though, and some tight racing all the way through.

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

Easy to get into, but it is a big weekend event that’s in a remote part of Texas so not a lot of hotels/lodging near the race course. There is camping around the start line. San Antonio and Kerrville are also both around an hour drive.

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

The 50k goes on at the same time as the 25k on Sunday, so well stocked aid stations with lots of volunteers. I didn’t stop so not totally sure what’s there, but given the size of the event I would expect a good spread.

Weather and typical race conditions

It’s Texas in the “winter”… It could be 75* and 99% humidity with some showers like it was for the 100k on Saturday, or it could be 55* clear and sunny like it was the next day for us.

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

Other than shoes like I mentioned above, not really. Aids are close enough to not worry about having to carry a lot of water. Some people wore longer shorts or tights to protect their thighs from the sotol, but I don’t think it’s that bad.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Yep. Really easy access for spectators. They do charge for non-racers to enter the state park, but the way the course is setup it’s easy to get around. Plenty of people cheering around the course.

How’s the Swag?

Nice long sleeve T-shirt. Cool awards for podium peeps, some sotol style sculptures, buckles for the 100k.

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

5 out of 5. Highly recommend the 25k for anyone looking for a good race in the winter. I think I’ll come back for the 50k next year. Of course, the 100k is a Golden Ticket race and Western States qualifier. Probably one of the better options to get the WS qualifier for those of in the Texas and southwest regions.

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