Race: Eugene Marathon
Runner: Leah Missik
Race Date: 05/01/2022
Location: Eugene, OR
Results: 3:44:19
Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/7072220608
3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?
- The finish at Hayward Field was pretty cool!
- Overall organization was solid. I felt taken care of and most details seemed to have been well thought out.
- The course. I never felt too crowded apart from the very start, it was scenic, and there were also a good amount of people cheering along the way.
Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you
If I HAD to pick something, I would say that I wasn’t blown away by the expo and was a little confused by the additional vendors in the marketplace across the street. It was not clear who was a part of the expo and who was not. But, this didn’t really bother me.
Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?
Finishing on Hayward Field was really cool. I was drained at that point but hitting the track was a real boost. I also really enjoyed the overall vibe. The whole race was very professionally organized and supportive feeling.
Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner
Bring a layer for after the race. The Finish Festival is quite nice, so it would be a bummer to leave sooner just due to getting cold. If you’re planning to do gear check, bring a sharpie. They give you a clear bag at the expo, but you’ll need to write your number on it. Unfortunately, they did not have us do that at the expo and the line for bag drop was a tad long pre-race since people had to write on their numbers in the moment. However, picking up my bag after the race was extremely quick.
Lessons you learned that will help you next time around
- Personally, I need to get better at turnover once my legs are heavy and (I suspect like plenty of others) not let enthusiasm take over too much during the beginning and middle of the race! But overall, I’m pleased with my performance because I hit my goal and learned some lessons thanks to another race under my belt.
- I also affirmed how I can independently can get things done. My partner was planning to come with me to the race to cheer, but last minute he was unable due to a bummer circumstance out of our control. I went to Eugene for the race by myself and despite not having support I was expected, still managed to perform.
Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race
Eugene is a flat course overall but there are two noticeable climbs, with the second one being a big steeper (a bit after mile 8). Don’t find yourself surprised!
Also keep mind that you will pass by the starting area around mile 9 where you will see the fast half marathoners finishing. Depending on your mood, it can be fun to cheer for them coming in, or you could feel annoyed you’re not the one finishing! Be mentally prepared.
Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?
Yes. It starts out going through neighborhoods and much of it is along the river.
Difficulty – Is it a tough course?
No. It’s a pretty fast course!
Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?
The race is very well-run.
Competition – Is there a strong field?
Yes. The average pace for this race seems to be higher than others I have run.
Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.
It was not terribly difficult for me to find a reasonably-priced hotel within walking distance of the start (1.5 miles) a month and a half ahead of time.
Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?
They don’t offer gels until about mile 10 so if you’d like to take any earlier, bring your own. Personally, I’m picky about the flavors so I brought my own anyway. Otherwise, the stations are frequent (about every 2 miles) with water and Nuun.
Weather and typical race conditions
The weather was great this year–slightly cloudy, in the high 40s/low 50s. Apparently this is pretty typical.
Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?
- This is a spectator friendly course. If people plan, it’s possible to catch runners at multiple points on the course.
- It’s also a good race for people tracking you from afar! People can get alerts at 6 points along the course and there is a livestream of the finish.
How’s the Swag?
- Pretty good. T-shirt, water bottle, bag.
- Also, they offer race photos for free download which is nice! There was a photographer at the end attempting to snap post-finish photos of the racers. Since I forgot to take a medal photo of myself, I am glad someone else did!
The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?
4.5 stars out of 5. I would definitely recommend it.
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