Ohio

Fuzzy Fandango 25k Race Report

Team RunRun coach Cody Cranor at the finish of the Fuzzy Fandango 25k in Ohio. Read all about the race and how to be your best on race day in this race report.

In this Fuzzy Fandango 25k race report, Team RunRun coach Cody Cranor shares insight on the course as well as helpful hints on how to get the most out of your day at this awesome fall race. Enjoy!

Race: Fuzzy Fandango 25K

Runner: Coach Cody Cranor

Race Date: 11/12/2022

Location: Perrysville, OH

Results: 3:38:44

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/8108025271

Video Race Report on YouTube

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

  • Course – The course is based in Mohican State Park, which provided for fantastic woods and scenery throughout the race
  • Atmosphere – By far one of the best atmospheres I’ve been at. Everyone is there ready to meet new people and cheer each other on. No matter what, you can find someone to run with or chat with while enjoying the post-race drink (Some of the best beer options I’ve ever seen at a race)
  • Accessibility – Even though its a small race and limits number of people per distance, they offer distances from 5K all the way to 50K, so no matter your fitness you can enjoy the course and experience the fun.

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

For me the after race food was not my cup of tea. Main food item that is talked about is the chili which is a vegan chili. As someone who isn’t huge into veggies it just didn’t hit the spot for me, but I hear it is a crowd favorite. Also the Stairs. Having to climb a couple hundred stairs at mile 15 was just mean.

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

The course changes slightly every year, which I think is an awesome quirk. While parts will be the same you get to see new sections of the park and hills, which means no matter what you train for their could be a curveball in there.

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

During this race I really wanted to go for sub three hours, as I had the endurance from my Chicago marathon training block. Overall the first half I was right on pace, as we were running through some flatter sections and on some pavement. I really enjoyed the fast flatter sections and hills that were very runnable, with great downhills to make up time. In the second half I tripped on a rock near the stream and tweaked my back which slowed me down a bit. Even with slowing down though I was able to chat with some runners nearby and even ran into a hometown friend, Cheryl, who was running the 50K. So even though I didn’t make my time goal I loved slowing down and having fun with the other runners. It even started snowing in the last mile making for an awesome finish

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

Get used to running on single wide trails that have lots of roots and rocks. Sometimes these are on steep hills so watching your feet is very important. Also keep in mind that because they change it every year some portions you wont know what’s coming up. Embrace that knowing that it will likely include hills but it will be fun in the end.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Don’t get too comfortable. I though I had the time in the bag but then there was an new section that threw me off my game. By the time I got to the stairs and the final miles, I didn’t keep enough in the tank to push through with any speed.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

The race utilized Mohican State Park, which is very hilly. They use the hills without fail. Also keep in mind they always throw a big clip near the end, so the climbing’s not done until you can see the finish line.

The finish line at the Fuzzy Fandango 25k. November in Ohio can bring a wide variety of weather - this year had snow flurries at the finish!!

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

This is by far one of the most beautiful courses I’ve run on. since it is in the fall, you get some fall colors and leaves on the ground. The hills allow you to get great views of the surrounding areas and the beauty of nature. You also get to run by streams and waterfalls at times which shows even more beauty of the area. I would be shocked if anyone who ran this race didn’t say they loved the scenery.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

It is tough for sure. At least in the view of someone who lives in the flat lands. They definitely don’t shy from the elevation which keeps you honest at all times.

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

This race is one of the better run races in the area as far as I am concerned. With smaller races sometimes the small details get forgotten about, but they do really well to make sure the details are what they thrive at. Aid stations are well spaced and well equipped, and are always staffed with amazing people. The camp allows for a great base area and gathering place to enjoy yourself after the race, and the race directors are there mingling and enjoying the day with the runners all while doing their numerous jobs.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

I personally think that this race has some strong and speedy people at the front. I don’t know how they run that fast on the hills. I think if you’ elooking for some competition you will get it, both from the course and other 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.

This race is overall easy to get into but does sell out many of the distances each year, so signing up early is always recommended. Finding the right registration page isn’t too difficult but, as it is put on by a camp sometimes you end up on a different page before getting to the registration page. One of the great things about this is that the camp is located right next to Mohican Lodge, which with it being during the colder months has plenty of rooms available to stay in before and after the race. with just about a 4 min walk to the start line. Makes race morning so much easier as there isn’t a lot of parking at the start line. Traveling to the area, you need to keep in mind some access to food and shopping as it is a rural area and you will need to drive at least 15-20 min to get to places that sell what you need.

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

The aid stations were pretty typical for a trail/ultra race, with the standard foods you expect to see. They always had plenty available so when you saw the aid station coming, you knew you were going to be able to get what you needed from them.

Weather and typical race conditions

The race occurs in November in Ohio. Anyone from the area knows what that means. While it will likely just be a chilly day in the 40s, I have experienced this race in both warmer weather, running in shorts, as well as cold where it snowed at the finish. Ohio weather at its finest.

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

Gear for this race is pretty simple. I would advise trail shoes as you want max grip when going up and down the hills. Poles aren’t necessary but I have seen others use them. Be prepared for shoes to get wet, and also to carry water with you – you don’t want to need a drink and be far away from the next stop.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

This is not a spectator friendly course. There are some places to see runners but since you’re in the woods most the time, it’s not easy to watch the runners

How’s the Swag?

Personally, I enjoy the swag at this race. They give out a long sleeve shirt or a winter hat (Both with a donation to the camp). They also gave out a pint glass for your post race beer/beers. The beer though is by far my favorite swag item. They have multiple options from a local craft brewery and they are all amazing brews.

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

Overall I would give this race a 9 out of 10. I have thoroughly enjoyed it every time I have run it and I plan on going back. Its a great organization with great race directors. I would recommend anyone run it even if just the 5K, and join the Fuzzy Fandango Family.

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

Cleveland Half Marathon Race Report – Kara Hickok

Race: Cleveland Half Marathon

Runner: Kara Hickok

Race Date: 05/21/2023

Location: Cleveland, Ohio

Results: 2:25:59

Strava Activity Link: https://strava.app.link/qeYOF5EN0zb

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

  • Pacers for this race were amazing! Very encouraging and you could tell they had plenty of experience. Shout out to pacer Jim from Pittsburgh!
  • I like that this course is relatively flat, the few hills that were in there were manageable.

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

Nuun and water was given at aid stations, but it was hard to tell which table had water vs nuun.

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

At one point you run over a bridge and it felt very strange to run on. You could also see through the grate looking bridge and see water below.

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

We were lucky to have great running weather, so I surprised my self and did better than my goal!

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

Pro tip is to stay at the Westin hotel. It’s a one block walk to the start/finish line.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

There are parts of Cleveland that are very pretty! So yes! Running through the flats and a residential neighborhood that included the A Christmas Story house was very cool.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

I would say it’s difficult. Hills were not bad.

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

Felt smooth to me, but it was my first half so I haven’t seen another!

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

Book hotel by April. (One month prior to race)

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

Stations has nuun, water, and Gu energy gels.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

For sure! I saw a few groups of the same people about 5 times on the course, so it is easy for spectators to move around.

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

4.5/5 stars! Fun race and I would recommend to others!

Burning River 100 Race Report – Ted Bross

Race: Burning River 100

Runner: Ted Bross

Race Date: 07/30/2022

Location: Akron, OH

Results: https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/13735#resultSetId-330834;perpage:10

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/athletes/19070752

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

  1. I started with my friend Chad and was able to run step-for-step with him the entire race; we crossed the line hand-in-hand. The company made the race feel much shorter than I expected and it was kind of over before I realized it!
  2. The course was in my home state of Ohio and offered a scenic tour around Cuyahoga National Park
  3. Not only did I run with my friend, but I had one of my best buds in the race, my family crewed with my girlfriend and there were lots of familiar faces! It was a great way to come back to Ohio and run a great race

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

I am a mountain runner and this was not a mountain race; however, there were several nostalgic moments for me that felt like I was either just doing a long run out the back door or racing through backyards like I did when I was a kid. The “not-so-much” may actually have been a nice change of pace!

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

From a guy now used to running long stretches of mountain trails, there were so many logistical connecting trails! I couldn’t believe the number of parks we went through or farms we skirted. The route also ran along towpath and bike path trails, mixing up the dirt trails. We saw lots of people, like groups of runners and bikers out for their Saturday jog. This could be a nuisance if in the wrong mindset, but I was enjoying saying hi to people and soaking up the encouragement from people who were blown away at a couple guys running all day.

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

Honestly, everything went well. The weather was great, kind of unexpectedly great. A bit hot and humid still, but we didn’t get a drop of rain so the trails stayed perfect all day. I ate like a champ, consumed 1 gel every 20 minutes from start to finish, didn’t miss a single timer. In addition to the gels, I had bites of burritos at aid stations and consumed Skratch in my water bottles. My crew was dialed. They had ice bandannas for me and my friend as soon as the temps started to rise and I kept my core body temp even all day, which is probably why eating went so well! The pace felt just below what I could do on the day, so honestly it was probably just right haha. The ultimate highlight is who I shared the race with: friends, family, does it get any better?

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

  1. Get good weather! The trails here can get super sloppy when the rains come in which likely would have slowed progress. Ask Arlen how he feels about that because I bet he could do sub-14 hours on a good-weather day here!
  2. The uphills never last long, they are steep but you could run many of them if you’re up for it and going for a fast time. I walked many of the uphills on the back-50 but this was to stay with my friend and likely could have dropped the time significantly.
  3. There is a lot of flat path that is super fast. You might think the miles will just click by here, but although my faster miles, these were some of my longer mental miles. Prepare yourself for some monotonous running on these stretches and just find a groove!
  4. The course was incredibly well-marked! Even with all the trail changes and farm crossings and road running, I never had trouble finding my way.
  5. Start early with the anti-chafe creams. I used them all them time when I called Ohio home but totally forgot until I was several miles in and chaffing had already started. The humidity is relentless!
  6. More on the humidity since I trained in the dry climate in Colorado. I was downing fluids all day! I used Skratch (conveniently sponsoring the race) and drank it from start to finish without any cramping and I was sweating A TON. I couldn’t believe how much more I was sweating than my friends who live and train in Ohio but it was significant. I did sauna heat training and was well adapted but even with that, I still needed more and more liquids. Dry climate runners almost always cramp hard when going fast in the midwest because the humidity gets you!

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

My legs had more to give and I ran the entire race. It gave me confidence in my legs, that they have the ability to take me deep in a hundred and push hard at the end. I think I am learning lots about myself and my body these last couple years. Well just add that to the bank!

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

  1. Lots of trail changes, but know they are well-marked
  2. Find a good running groove on the towpath and bike path sections
  3. If it rains, the farm sections will be heinous mud pits of despair
  4. The aid stations are short distances but I still carried two bottles to make sure I was drinking plenty, you could get away with one handheld all day though
  5. On a hot day, the trees provide shade on a lot of the trail, but it also socks in the humidity; still felt like win on a sunny day
  6. If it’s the out-and-back course, the bike path section coming into the 50 mile turn-around is totally exposed and that sun is going to get you (if it’s out)

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

It is Ohio pretty so there are no vista views but lots of gorgeous trees. Chad and I laughed all day about the “Green Tunnel” (aka the Appalachian Trail) as it felt like we ran in a green tunnel most of the day.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Na, the course felt easy breezy to me. Just a couple sections that were hot, others could get swampy if it rains.

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

It was great! The aid stations were exceptional and the course was well-marked. The race was exceptional by my standards.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Every year there are a few guys around 16 or 17 hours, but it isn’t bringing even the best talent out of the region every year. The guys who run at the front though usually stay consistent as long as they have some experience because aid is close together and course is straight forward.

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

Sign up when registration opens. I believe they did sell out this year, but you could probably get in all the up to within a week or two of race day.

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

Standard aid station fare. They were sponsored by Skratch this year which was great for me because that is what I train on; per usual, potency will vary. The aid stations are all within about 5 miles of each others, with many around 3-4 miles apart.

Weather and typical race conditions

Always hot and humid. Usually rain. Although, no rain this year baby!

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

I ran with a Naked belt and UD race vest. I hadn’t run a single mile in either of them before the race haha. My usual race vest broke and my Naked shipment was kind of a surprise as it came in stock right before I left. I felt comfortable using these items just with my history of previous products and running lots of miles in gear. As soon as I put them on, they felt right. That being said, I think had I spent more time with these, I would have ditched the vest and ran with one handheld bottle and another bottle in my belt. The vest was nice to add ice to in the hotter portions of the race though.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Super friendly! There are so many spots to see crew and the course is open so honestly, you could see people at any time of day. They make crewing fun as well by having a “front 50” and a “back 50” so your pacer can sign-up for the “back 50” and get a 50 mile finish (if they go the entire way). There are also a lot of places to switch out your pacer if you want to break it up!

How’s the Swag?

It good I guess. This doesn’t really matter to me because I have too many race shirts and pullovers and buffs…etc.

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

I would give it a high score, maybe 8/10 for good organization, fast course and spectator friendly. Missing points for competition and views but, like I said, the beauty is found in many different ways!

Thinking about running your first ultra? Check out our 7 steps to get started.

Capital City Half Marathon Race Report – Abby Shaffer

Race: Capital City Half Marathon

Runner: Coach Abby Shaffer

Race Date: 04/30/2022

Location: Columbus, Ohio

Results: 1:40:48

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

I loved that it was local to me, always a bonus. It is also spectator friendly and everyone will be cheering you on. People will be sitting outside their townhomes/apartments and watch, always giving encouragement to those running.

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

Towards the final 5 miles, there were some steep hills that were difficult, especially on tired legs.

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

Not really weird, but you get a free beer and margarita at the end!

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

This race was a huge PR for me, my last half-marathons was 1:46 and some change. I didn’t think I could get below 1:45 but was pleasantly surprised. I started off quick, as many of us do with the endorphins, and rode the high for a few miles. I started to notice half way through that my pace was quicker than my goal and that I didn’t feel a need to slow down. I was tired at the end, but not exhausted.

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

My biggest tip is to trust your training and remain calm. You put in the work. Don’t second guess yourself and believe that you can accomplish your goals. Only part of the race is physical, it’s mainly mental. Get yourself a pace buffer for the hills at the end so you can take them slow.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Don’t put on a spray tan the day before without washing it off

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

There are hills the final few miles, luckily I was ahead of pace and was able to slow down on the hills

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

The city isn’t very scenic, but you go through The Ohio State University campus which for me is always fun since I’m an alumni.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Only towards the end

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?

A lot of Columbus people run it

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 in the city so there are local hotels that I’m sure the race partners with for rates. For me, if I’m traveling to a race I prefer staying at an Airbnb.

The venue for packet pick-up is small so don’t expect to pick up any extra nutrition or hydration

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

There’s plenty of aid stations that have both water and gatorade.

Weather and typical race conditions

Race day is usually in the mid 50s, perfect for racing. This day specifically it was sprinkling on and off but nothing unbearable.

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

Ohio weather is unpredictable so bring everything

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

YES! People in Ohio love to bike and you can get from one place to the other easily

How’s the Swag?

Love the t-shirts, very comfortable!

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

I would say 4 out of 5 stars

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

Vernal Equinox 48 Hour Race Report – Sarah Forman

Race: Vernal Equinox 48 Hour Race

Runner: Coach Sarah Forman

Race Date: 04/01/2022

Location: Batavia, OH

Results: 130 Miles, 6th Overall, 3rd Woman

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/6924260460`

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

  1. The race is held at Majestic Farm which is a horse farm in Batavia, Ohio. Each runner was given access to a cleaned out horse stall. I loved that I could set up my own mini aid station and access it after every loop. My husband and 2 daughters were also there, so seeing them every 2 miles lifted me up when it started to get hard.
  2. There were several distances being run throughout the weekend (48 hour, 24, 12 and 8 hours). Being out there with other runners who were suffering just as much as I was, was an incredible bonding experience. I met some amazing people who got me through some very low points in the race.
  3. This was my first multi day race but after this experience, I’m already planning my next one! I loved having the opportunity to push my limits and find out how my body and mind would respond when pushed to this extreme.

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

Each runner has access to their own cleaned out horse stall for all of their gear. I loved this aspect of the race!

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

  • The highlight for me was getting through the first night on my own. My crew (husband and 2 young kids) had to go back to the hotel, so I was on my own until morning. The temperature dropped to 28 degrees quickly and I couldn’t stop shivering. I was able to problem solve and figure out that I needed to get more food in me to stay warm. I put on every piece of clothing that I brought and kept moving. I experienced hallucinations and fell asleep on my feet a few times but I made up a lot of time by running through the whole night, while many runners napped in their cars. It was one of the hardest parts of the race for me but also the part that really stands out in my mind.
  • Another highlight was coming around to the aid station somewhere around mile 40 and seeing my daughters singing karaoke for the runners. This really took my mind off of the discomfort I was feeling at the time and lifted my spirits!

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

  1. Being very organized can make things easier for you later in the race. I organized medical supplies, electronics, snacks, socks and clothes each in separate plastic bins and labeled everything clearly. This helped out my crew during the day but it also helped me when I was on my own and couldn’t think clearly from the lack of sleep. I also had a foot kit with step by step instructions on how to fix blisters. We put this to good use just after I hit 100 miles!
  2. A 1 hour nap can go a long way to getting through the second half of the race! I laid down in my sleeping bag at 7pm going into night 2. It was very loud but I was still able to get a little sleep which gave me a much needed mental boost.
  3. Early on in the race, I decided to not let myself think about how many hours I had left. I thought only about mileage which I found to be less overwhelming than thinking about total time. It also helped me to stay present throughout the race and enjoy the experience!
  4. Take care of your feet and take care of any chafing early! I changed my socks and covered my feet in Trail Toes multiple times throughout the race. We also took care of several blisters at the 100 mile mark using the method in the book “Fixing Your Feet.”

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

I made the mistake of changing into new trail shoes around mile 70. I didn’t have any blisters up to this point but developed several after changing my shoes. If your shoes are working well, it’s always best to not change them. I’ve learned this lesson in other races as well!

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

It can get very muddy! I started out the race in my road shoes and had to change after the first loop because there was so much mud throughout the day. Also, there are several open areas on the course that get very windy so it will feel colder than expected.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

I thought so! The race is held on a horse farm so we ran by the horses every lap, through corn fields, alongside 2 small lakes and through a nice section of trail in the woods.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

It’s a 2 mile loop on trails with rolling hills. It’s a very runnable course but it did get very muddy.

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

This was a very well run race! The race directors are 2 women that are both established ultra runners and know how to handle anything that could come up while running for such a long period of time. They were also incredibly supportive throughout the race. When I hit 100 miles, one of the race directors completed a loop in the opposite direction with me which was fun.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

The field for the 48 Hour was small with only 40 people but the top finisher completed 190 miles!

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

I signed up online for the race in October but it didn’t sell out until about 2 weeks before the race was held. We were able to easily find a hotel 15 minutes away about a month before the race.

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

Mainly standard ultra fare at the aid station. They had hot meals for breakfast lunch and dinner and offered Tailwind throughout the race.

Weather and typical race conditions

It was unseasonably cold this year, with snow during the first few loops! During the day, the temperature got up to around 40 but dropped to 28 the first night. There were also high winds on the 2nd night. You never know what you’re going to get with Ohio weather!

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

In a timed race on a loop, you can really bring as much gear as you want. I recommend bringing more than you need! I probably brought way too much food and brought most of it home afterwards, but I did end up using all of the clothing that I brought. I brought several batteries and set up a charging station for my headlamps, earbuds and watch which worked out really well. We also had a portable pop up privacy tent so that I could change in the horse stall.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Yes! You see your crew every 2 miles at the main aid station. We were also allowed a pacer for the 2nd night starting at 8pm.

How’s the Swag?

We received a long sleeve shirt and will be getting an engraved award with the total number of miles ran. They also had buckles for those that completed 100, 150 or 200 miles.

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

I highly recommend it!

To learn more about Coach Sarah or work with her, check out her coaching page.

Miamisburg Turkey Trot Race Report – Amy Tackett

Race: Miamisburg Turkey Trot

Runner: Amy Tackett

Race Date: 11/25/2021

Location: Miamisburg, OH

Results: 40:33

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

The organization, gear, and community support.

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

I enjoyed running with a new friend that helped support a consistent pace.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Getting there within a good time to avoid challenges in parking.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

I wouldn’t describe this course as pretty but goes through town and has energy with people consistently around.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Nope. One minor hill within the first mile or so but has downhill thereafter and stays fairly flat for the remainder of the race.

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

It is run consistently each year.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

There are many people which gives a wide variety of competition.

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

Easy registration each year.

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

There is one aid station with water halfway.

Weather and typical race conditions

This year was the first year it rained for me. It was also a bit warmer than years in the past where it is often much colder.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Yes! There is plenty of space for spectators to watch. Some challenges finding your spectators with how people there are!

How’s the Swag?

You get a quarter-zip or sweatshirt each year with a neck warmer. It’s neat to collect over the years!

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

5/5

Mohican 100 Race Report

What is the Mohican 100 Trail Run?

The Mohican 100 Trail Run is an annual ultra race through the Ohio wilderness. As the name implies, the race is 100 miles! Read on for running coach Sarah Forman’s review of how the race went, what to expect from the course, and how to train for success.

What is a race report?

At Team RunRun, we know that working towards a race is a great motivation for running. That said, not all running events are created equal. Our athletes report back on their experiences so that you can figure out which race is right for you. Read on for a breakdown of what you can expect from The Mohican 100 Trail Run!

Race: Mohican 100

Runner: Sarah Forman

Race Date: 6/19/2021

Location: Loudonville, OH

Results: 31:05:04

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/5502480634

Sarah Forman doing the Mohican 100 Trail Run in Loudonville, OH
Coach Sarah Forman getting it done at the Mohican 100. Photo: Dave Forman

3 Bests – What aspects of the Mohican 100 Trail Run did you like the most?

1. Running through the thunderstorm at 4am! It was crazy to be running through lightning, thunder and torrential rain which turned the trail into a river, but it’s an experience that I won’t soon forget!
2. Running the last 14 miles with my 71 year old Dad pacing me on Father’s Day!
3. The people! Everyone was friendly and willing to help each other out when you needed it.

Not so much – Were there any aspects of the Mohican 100 Trail Run that didn’t do it for you?

There were sections of the course that were very technical and had a ton of rocks and roots so my toes got pretty banged up!

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about the Mohican 100 Trail Run?

There was a short section about 13 miles into the race, where we were re-routed on a section of the trail that was filled with down trees and stream crossings. The trees were so big that we had to literally give them a full body hug while climbing over. Near the end up this section there was a 20-foot hand over hand climb on tree roots to get out of the ravine!

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

I think that I managed everything really well in this race. I stayed on top of my nutrition, blister management (at least until the storm hit!), positive self talk, hydration and electrolytes. Also, I was able to check in with myself every mile or so to make sure I was still sweating and not getting dehydrated. That was the most important factor for me in this race because of the humidity. I really enjoyed having my family there to crew for me the entire race. My husband made it to every aid station that he could with our 3 year old and 8 year old daughters. It lifted my spirits to see them, especially later in the race. Also, my Dad paced me the last 14 miles of the race which was a highlight since it was Father’s Day!

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the Mohican 100 to help the next runner

Be ready for any kind of weather! During the day on Saturday, it was very humid with some light rain. A strong thunderstorm with torrential rain came through at about 4am on Sunday morning. I was at about 75 miles and my pacer and I were on a particularly hilly section of the course. We pushed through the rain for about an hour and half, during which time her headlamp died! I was very happy to have a strong waist light and my raincoat during this section! The last part of the race ended up getting up to around 86 degrees and 100% humidity. Also, train for lots of climbing, about 13,000 ft total. There were so many switchbacks and every section of the course had long and sometimes steep climbs, especially in the section from Covered Bridge to Hickory Ridge.

Lessons you learned that will help you in the Mohican 100 Trail Run next time around

Next time, I’ll pace myself better at the beginning of the race so to give myself an extra cushion of time in case the weather turns and slows me down later in the race. I also learned that it would be beneficial to bring an extra pair of shoes that are a half size larger for later in the race. My feet swelled a lot after getting soaked during the storm and they didn’t fit into the 2nd pair of shoes that I brought with me. I ended up wearing one pair of shoes for the entire race.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the Mohican 100 Trail?

The course is very technical in some sections with a lot of rocks and roots. Make sure to give the footing your complete focus. I took two hard falls during these sections in the last 5 miles after looking away from the ground only for a few seconds. There is also a hand over hand climb in the first half of the race that was actually a lot of fun to experience!

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Yes! It’s a loop course through Mohican State Park in Ohio. There are several waterfalls that we ran next to, beautiful trees, lots of hills, all single track.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Yes! The course is 95% on single track trails and includes about 13,000 feet of climbing.

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

This race has been held for over 30 years and is really well run!

Logistics – Does the Mohican 100 Trail Run require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

I signed up about 4 months before the race and stayed at the Mohican Lodge with my family the night before the race which was only 15 minutes away from the starting line.

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

At the majority of the aid stations it was pretty standard fare but the Gorge Overlook aid station had vegan and gluten free options (vegan potato soup, chia seed pudding and ginger rice balls) which I was pretty excited about! There was also popsicles at the Covered Bridge aid station in the middle of the day which was a nice surprise on a hot day!

Weather and typical race conditions

Usually the weather for this race is hot and humid. This year was no different! It was around 86 degrees when I finished on Sunday and close to 100% humidity throughout the entire race. In several past years there has also been some strong storms that have come through, this year included.

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

I thought that having poles for the 2nd half of the race for some of the harder climbs was beneficial. I would also bring several changes of socks because your feet will get wet!

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

This was a 4 loop course (2 long loops of 27 miles and 2 short loops of 23 miles). I was able to see my crew 4 times per loop. There was no crew access at any of the aid stations for the last 13-15 miles of each loop though.

How’s the Swag?

It’s pretty basic. Each runner is given a cotton T-shirt and the option to buy tech shirts and hooded sweatshirts.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give the Mohican 100 Trail Run and do you recommend that others run it?

I highly recommend this race! I ran it in the fall on a different course that was adjusted due to Covid restrictions and I also plan to run it again next year! So many runners come back year after year. It’s a tough course but it’s beautiful and the people that run this race are awesome.

Sarah Forman is a coach with Team RunRun. To learn more about her or to work with Coach Sarah, check out her coaching page.

Sarah Forman at the Mohican 100 Trail Run 2021
Photo: Kristen Lucarelli

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burning river 50 race report

Burning River 50 mile Race Report – Sarah Forman

Race: Burning River 50 (Back 50)

Runner: Coach Sarah Forman

Race Date: 08/22/2020

Location: Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

Results: 13:20:43

burning river 50 race report

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

  1. I really enjoyed running at night! I chose the back 50 instead of the front 50 because I have always been afraid of running in the dark alone. I knew that by overcoming this weakness, I would be much stronger in my upcoming hundred in October.
  2. The course consists of trails, some road and sections of towpath. I really liked the variety because it was nice to come out of a slower section on trails and be able to make up some time on the roads and towpath sections.
  3. The people! Everyone was so happy to be there, especially since most races have been cancelled this year!

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

There were a lot of steep, uneven stairs that I didn’t love!

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

The Covid restrictions were definitely something that I wasn’t used to in a race. They did a great job of pulling it off though. They started the race in waves and we were required to wear a mask at the aid stations. There were also no spectators allowed, but crew was allowed.

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

I think that the highlight of my race was overcoming a low point early in the race when I sprained my ankle around mile 13. Knowing that dropping out of the race was not an option for me, I hiked a few slow miles to try to loosen up my ankle. Finally at mile 16, I knew I was just going to have to push through it. It was very dark at this point, I was alone and starting to worry about getting lost on the unfamiliar trails. Instead of letting this ruin my race, I started to focus on the things that I could control, like taking in calories and keeping an eye out for course markers. Eventually, I was able to embrace both the pain and the darkness and focus on being in the moment and enjoying being out there.

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

Make sure that you have a really good light! I used the Kogalla RA with battery pack 2 and it made such a big difference! I didn’t have to worry about the battery dying and it lit up the entire trail. Also, bring a long sleeve shirt in your pack. Even though the temperature was still around 70 at night, I still got a little cold in the early morning when my pace slowed down on the trail.

I typically run first thing in the morning, so I wasn’t sure how hard it would be to wait around all day for a race to start. I took it easy most of the day, made sure to have a big breakfast so my food would be digested and even got in a short nap. During the race, I did get a little tired around 10pm or so but I drank Coke most of the night which seemed to help.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Parts of the course were pretty technical so I think I would have planned ahead to try to change into my trail shoes for those sections. I think I will also have a lot more confidence going in now that I have conquered my fear of running at night by myself.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

The course is a 50 miles, point to point, and includes a combination of roads, trails and towpath. The aid stations are about 5 miles apart so it’s important to think ahead and grab what you might need to make it to the next one.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Yes! A lot of the course runs along the Cuyahoga River. It was also point to point so we went through several different parks and trail systems.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

The technical areas were difficult, especially some of the steeper downhills. Overall though, there are a lot of runnable areas, so while it was challenging, there was always some relief when I would get to a road or tow path section.

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

I think all of Western Reserve’s races are run like a well oiled machine.

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

Nothing special, just sign up on their website: https://www.westernreserveracing.com/races/burning-river-endurance-runs-relay/. My family lives in the area so I didn’t need a hotel but they do work with a hotel near the start of the race and offer shuttles to the start.

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

It was standard fare but this year was a little different with the Covid restrictions. The food was set out behind the volunteers and the variety maybe wasn’t was it was in past years but I was able to find everything that I needed (coke and bananas).

Weather and typical race conditions

The race is usually held at the end of July, but due to Covid, this year it started on August 22nd. It was around 85 during the day and around 70 degrees at night with periods of light rain and lightning.

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

A good headlamp or waist light is essential! Specifically, the Kogalla RA. I got so many comments throughout the race about how bright it was. Even on it’s lowest setting, I had so much more confidence navigating the dark.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Yes! My husband crewed for me and I was able to see him at most aid stations as well as a few other areas along the road sections.

How’s the Swag?

Amazing! A large duffel bag that can be used as a drop bag for future race and a Klean Kanteen coffee mug with the race logo on it.

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

I give it 5 stars. They have several race distances and a relay option. They also offer both the front 50, which starts early in the morning and the back 50 which starts at 6pm. I personally recommend the back 50 because running in the dark is such a unique experience that will challenge you in ways that running in the daylight can’t.

Sarah Forman is a coach with Team RunRun. To learn more about her or to work with Coach Sarah, check out her coaching page.

burning river 50 race report

river run half marathon race report

River Run HM Race Report – Phil M

Race: River Run Half Marathon

Runner: Phil M

Race Date: 09/08/2019

Location: Cleveland, Ohio

Results: 34th/1st in 55-59 AG/time 1:30:27

Strava Activity Link: http://strava.com/activities/2690973392

river run half marathon race report

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

Beautiful run through one of the Metroparks. At one point the course cuts back on itself and I saw a huge wave of runners coming at me! A couple were friends who shouted out encouragement.

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

Nothing to complain about. It’s a very well organized race with about 1000 runners.

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

The race is point to point with a net downhill. However, runners perceive the race differently because it rolls downhill with little climbs in each mile. There is also a hill towards the end that looms large in everyone’s immediate memory of the race.

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

I ran this half marathon ten years ago when I was in good shape in 1:35. This year I ran it in 1:30 – a huge improvement – especially considering my expected decline with age. My coach (CJ Albertson) did a great job preparing me and the training went well with no setbacks.

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

It’s a fast course but you still have to run within yourself.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

I think of this in terms of training specifics. CJ had me running more than 13 miles for my weekly Long Run and then running a hard tempo pace with just one easy run cushioned between them. This really taught me to run quite fast when tired.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

There is a hill with 3-4 miles to go that is more psychologically challenging than it is aerobically challenging.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Beautiful course and perfect, cool weather this year.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

It’s rolling but net downhill and so if you’re in good shape you can go after it.

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

This race has been a staple of the Cleveland running calendar for a while and was executed perfectly by the organizers.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

The top guys run about 5:30 a mile or a bit faster and the top women about 5:50-6’ mile.

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

It’s a very enjoyable medium sized half marathon.

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

Aid stations were standard and good.

Weather and typical race conditions

It’s Cleveland and so you never really know but this year was perfect: cool with very little wind.

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

Nope.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Yes there are good spots for spectators and I owe a big thank you to friends who showed up and cheered me on.

How’s the Swag?

This year they gave out a high quality half zip running shirt. If you were completing a three race series (I was) they also offered an unusual and spectacular additional medal.

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

Five stars!

river run half marathon race report

Air Force Half Marathon Race Info

Date: 9/21/2019

Location: Dayton, OH

Start Time: 7:30am

Avg Temps (f): 74/53

Time Limit: 6 hours

Lessons Learned from Race Reports

  • Past years have seen warm temps and the start time of the half has been moved up by an hour, so hopefully that helps. Otherwise, September in Ohio is fairly unpredictable
  • First couple miles are tight on space, so your splits could be slower, but it also prevents you from going out too fast
  • Not the most beautiful course, lots of fields and chain link fences
  • Course can get windy in spots
  • Biggest hill is in the latter part of the race – save something for those last several miles
  • In the last mile, you go past the finish line, which can make it seem extra long if you’re dying to be finished!
  • Not a fast course with the hills and possibility for wind
  • Very little shade on the course, so if it’s hot, it feels extra hot – bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
  • Give yourself plenty of time for parking and/or shuttle for pre-race since the start/finish are in different locations
  • Not many spectator locations, so the course can get quiet – if you feed off the energy of a crowd, this isn’t the race for that
  • A more challenging course than runners expect it to be with the rolling hills, climbs, and false summits

Course

Type: Mainly two loops

Start/Finish Info: Different locations but still close to each other

Hills: ~125 foot climb mile .5-1, from mile 5-11, gradual climb of nearly 200 feet with a lot of rollers in between, ranging from 5-150 feet gains at a time. Not a flat course!!!

Course Map/Elevation

Aid stations

Locations of aid stations: About every 1-2 miles – see Course Map for details

Spectator access

Best spots are around mile 6 and the finish. See Course Map for details.

Race reports

https://www.bibrave.com/races/us-air-force-marathon-reviews/6395

http://runwithjess.blogspot.com/2012/09/race-recap-air-force-half-marathon.html

Strava links

https://www.strava.com/running-races/2015-air-force-marathon

Race Website

https://www.usafmarathon.com/

River Run Half Marathon Race Info

Date: 9/8/2019

Location: Berea, OH

Start Time: 8:00am

Avg Temps (f): 77/59

Time Limit: 3 hours

Lessons Learned from Race Reports

  • There are 2 hairpin turns early on in the race – just before mile 2 and around 2.5 – be ready to change gears to slow down for the turns and possibly have quite a few people around you still since it’s early in the race
  • Shade on much of the course helps if it’s a sunny and/or hot day
  • Not tons of spectators on the course, so if you like spectators, be aware that you’ll have some quiet miles since it’s mainly run on a closed course along the river and through parks
  • Scenic course since it’s run through the parks and along the river, so you trade of spectators and crowds for scenery
  • Race reports mention small bumps along the way for hills, but still a fast course given it’s a net downhill
  • Being point to point with shuttles either to the start or finish, be ready for logistics to take longer than normal

Course

Type: Point to Point

Start/Finish Info: Starts at Wallace Lake in Berea, OH and finishes at Memorial Fields in the Metroparks in Rocky River

Hills: Minimal – net downhill course

Course Map/Elevation

 

Aid stations

Locations of water stations: Miles 2.5, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12.

Locations of electrolyte stations: Gatorade at miles 6, 8, 10, and 12. Gels at miles 6 and 8.

Spectator access

Access Locations: Miles 6, 9, 10, and 11, but no spectators at miles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, or 12 

Parking:

Mile 6: Cedar point rd and the Nature Center

Mile 9: Mastic Woods Golf Course

Mile 10: Big Met Gold Course

Mile 11: Little Met Golf Course

Race reports

https://www.bibrave.com/races/river-run-half-marathon-reviews/1723

https://raceraves.com/races/river-run-half-marathon/

Strava links

https://www.strava.com/activities/1830001616

https://www.strava.com/activities/1830071019

Race Website

https://www.riverrunhalf.com/

conquer the castle 100k race report

Conquer the Castle 100k Race Report – Mark Cliggett

Race: Conquer The Castle 100k

Runner: Mark Cliggett

Date: 11/11/2017

Location: Cleveland, OH

Results: Just under 15 hours

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/1284555983

conquer the castle 100k race report
Photo: Stu Siegfried

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

  1. The volunteers at east coast races are just as stellar as the volunteers at west coast races.
  2. This is a small park and yet they fit in a very fun, interesting 16 mile loop.
  3. The finishers medals are handmade by the race director.

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

The race starts at noon – good in some ways for someone traveling from the left coast, but it means you finish in the wee hours.

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

I didn’t fall! Last year, I fell and ended up with a nasty cut just under my eye. It was beautiful at times, with a light snow falling in the light of my headlamp.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Be ready to run through leaves hiding roots.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

It is deceptively hard even though there’s only about 5000 feet of climbing – lots of roots, constant up and down. The winner finished in about 11 hours. Oh, and the same winner just measured the course with a wheel and it’s closer to 67 miles than 62.

conquer the castle 100k race report
Photo: Stu Siegfried

Full race report and more photos at: https://pointlenana.wordpress.com/2017/12/02/conquer-the-castle-then-take-the-crooked-road/

Tie Dye 50k – Teddy B

Race: Tie Dye 50k

Runner: Teddy

Date: 5/20/17

Location: Cincinnati, OH

Results – 4:22:05, 2nd place overall

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

1. Training Grounds: these two parks are where I spend most of my weekends running around the trail system that has around 30 miles of trails between the two adjoining parks. I knew every rock and root on some areas of the course!

2. Water Features: Yes, I am making a bit of a funny here because one entire section when under knee-deep water along the river and we made sure runners had that experience (I helped design some of the course), but also there are a ton of waterfalls throughout the Gorge. With the rains, these were beautiful and made for great sightseeing along the course.

3. All Trails: The entire course was run on dirt trails (okay, you crossed over a road twice), and most of them were single track. A couple of the faster sections are on the single track trails in Glen Helen Nature Preserve which made up a 4 mile section of the course this year.

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

I was against including the mountain bike trails in the course design, but dammit they were included again this year. I hate this section and almost never run it during my weekend runs. The trails have many tight turns and loop back on themselves multiple times. Plus, the maintenance group of bikers who oversee it are always slightly changing the trails so there are many spots where the dirt is not well-packed and retains just enough water to reek havoc on a runner trying to use any speed through them. End rant.

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

The race is held in Yellow Springs, OH, home of Dave Chappell and Ohio’s biggest saturation of hippies – hence the tie dye theme. Yellow Springs has some great charm as a small town in Ohio and its many quirks are why I enjoy it so much, plus shoes are optional. No joke, half the locals don’t wear them.

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

Well, I did well putting out the many fires that were constantly causing my race to go up in flames haha. I kept a level head when I almost took a wrong turn and had to backtrack a bit. I did some mental work on being behind early in a race and never feeling like I could catch the guy ahead of me as well as trying to keep myself motivated when GI issues were really limiting my performance and I had no rhythm. I stayed calm when I could feel my dehydration getting somewhat worrisome and just kept working at taking in fluids.

However, for an all around highlight, running the flooded river section was by far my favorite moment on both laps. The water level reached my waist in one hole and otherwise stayed around my knees. I actually found it rejuvenating and it also tickled me a bit to imagine first-timers hitting that section and wondering what the hell they signed up for.

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

There are multiple restrooms throughout the campground but everyone always lines up at the one right by the start/finish. A 1 minute drive down the road takes you to another restroom in John Bryan State Park and will give you ample time to get you to your morning race weight. Also, Yellow Springs is a great town with some fun and artsy shopping. Make sure to stop in shops, grab coffee at Dino’s Cappucinos and eat at Sunrise Café for the best food in town!

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

I will never be able to eat pizza the night before a race again. From now on, I am back on the Chipotle burrito bandwagon I rode all last year, and am reinstating the “nothing to eat after 6pm” rule I had for myself previously as well. Because I worked late then marked the course, I got home and was ravenous which caused my stomach to get the best of me. Ironically, the pizza I ate was called Socrates Revenge…the name was well-established by the end of my run, that is for sure!

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

While there are some faster sections, the trails can be fairly technical. The mountain bike trails were, as above, ridiculous as the looping absurdity of these trails drives me crazy, but during dry weather, they would be pretty fast – we just happened to get rain all day leading up to and during the race. The early Gorge section is very technical and takes some very tactful footwork to navigate at faster paces. The Upper Rim trail and Stagecoach trails are much better groomed trails where I was planning to really turn on the gas, which I thought meant go faster but my body had other gassy plans. The Glen Helen trails are tight but few turns and less technical terrain makes them a faster section.

Aesthetics – is it a pretty course

The rains make the entire area into a waterfall haven that I find stunningly beautiful in the early, green spring. There are plenty of wild flowers throughout and even some good views along the multiple streams that run along the trails. The Gorge has beautiful view throughout with very open trails. The Glen trails are less open but also less trafficked.

Difficulty – is it a tough course

The technical trails make this a bit tougher of a course, but the elevation was only around 2,300 ft of gain I believe. The flooding certainly added another variable to things and there are a few good climbs on the course of around 150 ft. This used to be a 4 loop course and find the 2 loop version to be a vast improvement. Next year, when we cut out the mountain bike trails, this course will be awesome!

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

Hmm, well the Glen Helen section of trails was impeccably marked (yeah, this was my section haha), but there were multiple people who got lost on the mountain bike trails and on some of the switchback trails in John Bryan. I would give this a 5/10 on course marking as some sections just were not obvious and frustrated me even when I was part of the design and knew where to go. Also, the RDs kept saying they would put the course map online and they never did. On the bright side, the shirts were Patagonia this year and they are awesome.

Competition – is there a strong field?

Meh, it had potential but Chad couldn’t make it due to an emergency situation with family and Jay was nursing a calf injury. I honestly thought I would cruise to victory here. Lesson learned,never underestimate the stalling power of a debilitating gastrointestinal illness.

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 didn’t fill up until about 2 weeks before the event but the field is limited to only 150 runners. There is a nice bed and breakfast in Yellow Springs that was just finished this year and then, of course you could stay in John Bryan and do some camping. If you’re here next year, stay at my house!

Aid Stations

A central aid station allowed for four passes by a well-placed drop bag if you wanted it at miles 9, 13, 25, or 29. This and the start/15.6 mile/finish were the only fully-stocked aid stations. There was one other water stop at mile 4 with just a couple 5 gallon jugs to refill bottles.

Weather and typical race conditions –

Usually warmer with light rain often, sunshine usually and flood trails once. The trails hold up pretty well even if it rains though, especially the Gorge trails which are pretty much carved out of stone.

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

I definitely could have used some toilet paper, but other than that, I don’t think there is anything particularly special that you need. I think a one-bottle system works just fine here especially with the water stop. If you have shoes that do well on slick-rock, I would recommend those. My Cascadias do well on most terrains except for slick rock because the hardened rubber lugs don’t grip well. There is quick a bit of this in the Gorge. My vibrant soled HOKAs do well on these and I believe it is due to the softer rubber.

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends

I had a couple friends follow me to each of the “stocked” aid stations which to drive from the central aid station to the start/finish took about 2 minutes. Seeing a runner 6 times is pretty good for a 50k so I would say this is a fan-friendly course.

Awards –

Awards to top 3 male/female

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

Well, I would give it a 3/5 this year for me mainly due to circumstances totally out of control of the RD; however, a couple course marking issues are contributing factors that will be rectified next year. Still a fun experience. Onward!

Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon – Teddy B

Race: Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon

Runner: Teddy

Date: 5/7/17

Location: Cincinnati, OH

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

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

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

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

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

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

I just don’t love road races.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

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

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

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

Aesthetics – is it a pretty course

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

Difficulty – is it a tough course

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

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

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

Competition – is there a strong field?

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

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

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

Aid Stations

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

Weather and typical race conditions –

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

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

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

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends

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

Awards –

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

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

5 stars, the Pig rules all

Mohican 50k – Teddy B

Race: Mohican 50k

Runner: Teddy B

Date: 4/15/17

Location: Mohican State Park, OH

Results – 4:16:16, 2nd place

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

1. Race Logistics: This race has its shit together more so than any other I have been to. The course is always incredibly well marked with tactful and well-stocked aid stations. Post-race there is always a microbrewery sponsor, open showers at the finish line and free, tip-worthy massages by a group of massage school students. The RD here sets high standards!

2. Unique features: the course usually includes a river crossing and a hand-over- foot root climb up a waterfall. Its some of my favorite running to do in Ohio and I always relish running this race each spring.

3. Competition: this race always brings in some great Midwest trail runners and a great variety of folks with fun stories. This year I ran most of the race alone, chasing after Chad Trumbo and getting chased from behind from 3-4 other runners. I always run a good, hard race here because these other guys motivate me to do so!

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

Umm…I love this race! They didn’t have rice and beans at the finish line this year as they have done in years past, just veggie dogs and baked beans. That’s about as much as I can criticize.

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

The root climb is particularly weird just because it is a vertical climb of about 30 ft in the middle of a race. The RD always puts out ridiculous signs as well especially going up the christened “Big Ass Hill” which all include taunting remarks and sometimes pictures of his face with word bubbles.

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

I ran hard and thought my effort was appropriate. I paced myself and I was hindered more so by calf cramps than anything else, probably due to the 44 mile pacing job I put in 6 days earlier.

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

1. This race fills up within a day of registration opening.

2. Even if it rains, the hard-packed trails in Mohican usually hold up well except for a couple isolated soggy sections.

3. Bring shower supplies and do the massage volunteers a favor before lining up to get your rubdown.

4. The race is located in a campground with rentable cabins at the start/finish. The cheapest ones can be rented for one night only if you don’t make a reservation and book it the day of. I do this every year and usually split it with friends since they have 4 beds in each cabin.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Prepare for the hills. Even though its in Ohio, the elevation gain and descent on this course is no joke. My calves took the brunt of the beating and I should have done some altering of my gait to use more power muscles – gluteus muscles go all day! Since it is usually my first race of the season, I always am doing some de-rusting here as well. Might be good to do a fast race-sim beforehand next year.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

There are really two sections to this race, VERY hilly and NOT hilly. It just so happens that the hilly sections are about 2/3s of the course, but I find the flat sections to be the most frustrating. The flat part runs along the river and is very winding. Its tough to build a rhythm here and its also the only area that really takes a beating if it rains within a couple days of the race. I would take the hills over the flat river section any day of the week.

Aesthetics – is it a pretty course

It is central Ohio pretty! I think it covers some of the prettiest forests in Ohio and there are some great hills that you go over with these trails. Also, the timing of the race puts it just as flowers are starting to bloom and before the trees are fully leaved. I love it. It is also one of the few natural areas around here NOT covered with honey suckle, which makes the forest floor beautiful and the views easier.

Difficulty – is it a tough course

I think it is a tough course. It usually has about 5,000 ft of gain over 50k which is pretty good in Ohio and the unique features like the river crossing, root climb, dam hill step climb make it tough but interesting.

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

Well-oiled, like college campus KY-jelly wresting oiled. Yeah, just covered in oil.

Competition – is there a strong field?

The top 5 are usually strong, things deteriorate from there, but I always get a good carrot as well as a push from behind to go faster.

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.

See above, the main points are registration sells out day it opens, post-race festivities are top-notch, and cabins are available in addition to camp sites.

Aid Stations

Well-place and well stocked. Furthest distance I think is about 4 miles and all have plenty of scrumptious runner favorites.

Weather and typical race conditions –

Typically we get nice weather which has been surprising given the amount of rain that usually comes down in Ohio in April. However, from what I remember of the last 5 years, only once has it been wet and rainy on race day.

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

I wear a waist belt with one bottle and usually am lucky enough to have a friend tossing me gels and full bottles. So, I guess I would recommend a one-man/woman crew if you’re looking to go fast.

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends

The best spots to view are at the covered bridge which we go through twice, above the damn and at the start/finish which also is mile 18. So overall, I think it is pretty spectator friendly and it is pretty easy to get around to the different locations with the park maps.

Awards –

All finishers get belt buckles. Top 3 get engraved medals. 5-year buckles presented to those who are run the race 5x.

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

5 stars, I would recommend it, but because it fills up so damn fast I don’t tell a soul about it until I get my ticket in.

Mohican “Forget the PR” 50k Race Info

Date

4/15/17

 Avg Temps f.

66 – 36

 Gain/Loss in ft

3957/3957

 Furthest Aid

5.75m

 Highest Elev.

1390

 Time Limit

10hrs
Start

7:30 AM

 Surface

Rocky trail with potential for mud

 Course Record

4:07:44 (Chad Trumbo)

4:52:47 (Beth Woodward)

 Sunrise/set

6:50/8:09

 Longest Climb

275ft

 Hashtags

#forgetthepr

#forgetthepr50k

 

The Mohican 50k (or “Forget the PR 50k) is a local Ohio race that claims to be difficult. It’s been very wet and muddy in previous years and has short but steep and plentiful climbs and descents.

Race Details

Surface

Rocky trail with potential for mud

Detailed course description:

  1. Lots of steep, but short climbs (250-300ft) on this course spread throughout.
  2. Some climbs described as so steep that you need to use your hands on roots to pull yourself up. In other words, it likely isn’t all runnable!
  3. Has been very wet and muddy in past years, causing last minute course changes.

Crew access

Link to list: Best list is on the map.

Crew instructions/directions:The Park Ranger will ticket speeders. Stay away from the covered bridge aid station area. Do not park at the covered bridge and/or the fire tower. You may park opposite of Covered bridge Aid Station across river and wait on that side. Runners will come through this section twice.  Runner will be DQ’d if you violate this. Do not park at the juvenile place.

Drop bags: no drop bags

Elevation

Total gain/loss: 3957/3957

Total climbs:11 (all around 200-300 feet)

Climbs appear to be steep, some gaining 250 feet in .2 miles

Race Map

Aid stations

Total aid stations: 7

Furthest distance apart: 5.75

Locations: Fire Tower 5.65, Covered Bridge 2, Covered Bridge 5, Start/Finish 5.75, Fire Tower 5.65, Covered Bridge 2, Finish 5.

What’s available:

COKE (2 liters) Mt Dew, Pepsi, WATER, V-8 (46 oz) Gatorade, PB&J, CORN CHIPS, PRETZELS (big bag:small/salt) RAISINS 1.5 oz pks Reeses Pieces big bag M & M’S plain big bag SALTINES WATERMELON seedless BANANAS (cases) ORANGES (case) SALT (SHAKERS) FIG NEWTONS (l lb) Comes in 2lb pk CHOC CHIP (48 sleeves IGA Brand) PayDay Candy Bar ICE  POTATOES CHIP REGULAR/SALTY  Salt & Vinegar Pringles

 

MEDICAL SUPPLIES: IBUPROFEN (bottles) VASELINE TUMS (roll) BAND AIDS Variety Pack.

 

No Drop bags.

Race reports

Teddy B’s 2017 race report

https://www.saltyrunning.com/corianders-forget-the-pr-50k-race-report/

Strava activities and GPX files

https://www.strava.com/activities/129646672/overview

Logistics

Packet pickup

Available at Start/Finish starting at 6am race morning.

Transportation

If you don’t stay at the park then park behind this campground. If using GPS enter Twp Hwy 3044 Loudonville Ohio. There will be a large FTPR Parking sign on state route 3. Look for a flashing orange strobe light and that is the parking area.  There will be people directing you where to park. Please pull in tight so we can get everyone in the parking area.

Race start and cutoff times

7:30 AM start with a 10 hour time limit.

Race Website

http://www.mohican50k.com/

Registration

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=41329

Location

Mohican Adventures Campground

Travel

Closest town is Loudonville, OH, and closest airports are the Cleveland and Columbus.

Accommodations

Cabins and camping available at Mohican adventures (race start and finish).

Stone Steps 50k – Matt U

Race: Stone Steps 50k – http://stonesteps50k.com/

Runner: Matt U

Date: 10/23/2016

Location: Cincinnati, OH

Results – 3rd overall. 4:10.32

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

  • Smaller race feel with great camaraderie. The spirit of this race was alive and well!
  • The weather was absolutely gorgeous. Trails were dry and they blew the leaves off the trail the day before. It was 40s at the start, 60s at the finish. And it was sunny but not hot or tiring.
  • I had friends in the race, Julie and Paavo crewing, and it was on a course I used to run back in college. All around a really fun day.

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

There was nothing about this race that rubbed me wrong or that I didn’t like.

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

They had bagpipes for the start. Weird, in a good way. ????

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

I ran the race I was hoping to run. This was not an “A” race for me, but more of a long training effort, and an opportunity to practice race management skills. I accomplished my goal. I ran hard, but not too hard. I didn’t go out too hard and I didn’t crap out in the end and have to death march it in. I maintained a steady pace throughout, I wasn’t sore from it, and I had a really fun time doing all this. Lots of wins on this day!

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

It would be easy to spend too much energy early and pay for it later. I know this advice is somewhat cliche and seemingly overstated when it comes to ultras, but people frequently make this mistake and this course could come back to haunt those that make this mistake.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

If this were a bigger race on my calendar, I would prepare better for the steps and for technical terrain. There are some rocky sections that were tough, especially since I don’t run rocky trails very often. The Stone Steps are literally a quarter mile of stone steps that climb steeply. My legs were tired and burning a little after the first round. We did these steps four times. I would train for these more next time around.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Besides knowing about the Steps, and the other steep little hill near the end of the big loop known as Gummy Bear hill (they have a can of gummy bears waiting for runners at the top), I think it’s important to have a game plan that utilizes the aid station. The course consists of four big loops (~5+ miles) and three little loops (3+ miles). At the efinish-linend of each loop, runners go through the same aid station in the middle of the park. So we go through the same place six times. Having a crew with a plan could make these transitions really quick and easy. Julie had water ready for me with gels so that I hardly ever had to stop. I think this could make a big difference when thinking about times and placing.

Aesthetics – is it a pretty course

It is pretty for this part of the country, especially given the fall season and weather. If it were raining and cold, it wouldn’t be so pretty. Also, it’s beautiful on a relative basis. It’s not running on mountaintops with vistas or along ocean cliffs. It runs through a forested city park (a really big city park at 1300+ acres) in Cincinnati, OH.

Difficulty – is it a tough course

It is a challenging course. This is always a loaded question. If you’ve only done flattish road marathons, this is a really tough course. If you’ve run UTMB, it’s not that too tough of a course. The rocks make it challenging, the Stone Steps are tough, and Gummy Bear hill are tough. Otherwise, the course was fairly tame.

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

I was really pleased with the vibe of this race, and that includes the organization. It felt like an old school race but an old school race that was organized and had done this plenty of times before.

Competition – is there a strong field?

The top two finishers are bad ass 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 and not very expensive. I don’t know if it sold out, but I signed up a few weeks before the race.

Aid Stations

One aid station that you go through six times. Standard fare, though I never used anything from it other than one cup of water.

Weather and typical race conditions –

Could get nasty this time of year in Cinci with cold and rain. It could also be hot and humid. Thankfully, we got a beautiful fall day with good temps and sunny skies.

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

I didn’t carry anything for this race. I had some gels in my pockets and after the first two laps, I carried a half liter soft flask partially filled. Julie would have a new one ready for me to switch out after each subsequent loop. With the frequency of aid, this part of the race was easy.

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends

You see your runner six times without ever having to move. If you have a ten month old baby, and you want a baby friendly ultra, this is it. There were some swings too for Paavo to play with while they waited!

Awards –

I got a chalice with the race logo for my third place finish along with a RoadID gift certificate. For being 3rd at a small race, seems like a pretty good deal!

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

I’m having to be more careful with how I rate races the more races I do. This isn’t UTMB or Western States so I can’t give it the same score. However, for a small race, this one is well run, lots of fun, and if the weather is right – a great fall run. 4 out of 5 stars.

columbus marathon review

Columbus Marathon – Julie U

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

Race: Columbus Marathon

Runner: Julie U

Date: 10/16/2016

Location: Columbus, OH

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

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

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

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

Aesthetics – is it a pretty course

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

Difficulty – is it a tough course

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

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

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

Competition – is there a strong field?

I think so.

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

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

How were the Columbus Marathon aid stations?

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

Weather and typical race conditions?

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

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

Nope.

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends

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

 

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

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

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