Race: Mercer Island Half Marathon
Runner: Andrew K
Date: 3/18/2018
Location: Mercer Island (Seattle, WA)
Results: 1:24:59 PR (2nd in Div)
Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/1459696451
3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?
- Facilities at Start/End. Really superb Community Center. Parking was 2 blocks away and really easy in/out.
- Well Organized including public service announcements for race starts. Plenty of booths and good spacing on course of water etc.
- The course! Sneaky challenging with rolling hills throughout and some longer down/ups that really push you to hold your effort throughout.
Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you
I’d be making something up just to complain. 🙂 Really nothing that I can think of. The course was challenging so I could see how for some it might not be their cup of tea but per above I liked that challenge.
Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?
Nothing to odd here.
Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?
Course pushed me on the up’s and especially last 2 miles with long sustained uphill into downs then back up to the finish.
Lessons Learned – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner or yourself on the next time around
Park about 7:45am for 9am start. Plenty of space in the community center to warm up, chill, stretch pre-race. Respect the course profile it’s a quad then all hamstrings yo-yo.
Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race
First 9 are twisty and undulating. Last 4 are a lot more up and down. So staying locked in for 9, then just know the last 4 hurt a bit more as the stress shifts for more dramatic hills.
Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?
Really well run. Top notch for size of event including police throughout course for intersections, fluid stations and occasional kids with signs in their front yard yelling ‘go…go…go’
Logistics – Anything special regarding getting to/from the race, hotels around the course, registration…?
I came from the east side on I90, got there about 7:45am and parking was very easy 2 blocks away. After the 8am time I could guess it’s tad farther from the start.
Weather and typical race conditions
Overcast and 45 degrees.
Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?
Yes, very friendly for almost anywhere if they know the course ahead.
How’s the swag?
Pretty good long sleeve T. They had a deal where you could also buy 2 previous race T’s for 10 bucks.
The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?
Timing and stress of this course is great for Boston Bound folks. I highly recommend it and give it a 4 out of 5. Since I registered late, I paid $90 which is steep so do it early. So for that $ I’d want a Patagonia high end shirt, etc.