This was my 19th half-marathon and possibly the best I’ve ever run in terms of organization and the course itself.
Starting weeks before, the RD contacted registered runners with e-mails about the details of race day. The information was great and helped me feel really “pumped” for the event. Race day was superb – kit pick-up was executed without a hitch. Waiting in the YMCA to start was wonderful and warm (it was very cool on Sunday) and the race started right on time. The course is gorgeous, winding its way first around city streets and then a fabulous string of miles on a paved trail – for the first time in a race, I actually took in the beauty of the setting because it was hard to ignore. The aid stations were very organized and the volunteers were top-notch. Each station was organized exactly the same (Water first, then Gatorade) – it is a small thing but it really bothers me when water stations aren’t all set up the same way and you have to ask what the volunteers are giving out.
Finishing at the Y, receiving a beauty of a medal and having a hot shower was the cherry on top of a great day. There was awesome food offered – hot dogs, hamburgs, potato chips, pop and BEER! Picking up our race bags was also done without incident and the whole process was well thought out. This is another aspect of races that put a damper on your day if you can’t get your bag/items back quickly.
After the race, the race director continued sending out some great e-mails to keep all the runners high on their accomplishments. Overall, I can’t find a single aspect of the race which wasn’t well planned out and executed with top drawer scores. Obviously, the team the RD has put together are passionate runners and understand what aspects make a race a well run event.
What a wonderful race – I hope to tell as many of my running buddies about it as possible.
