Latest reviews by Krissy

(2015)
"Sand + Super Swag = SUNsational Race!"
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I won a last minute half price entry to this race just a few days before the fact, so I figured, "why not?" I never ran a full 5K on the sand, so thought this could be a fun event, especially as I ramp down "racing" for the summer.

Everything about this race was SMOOTH and well organized! I attended packet pickup the afternoon before at the Fit2Run downtown, and didn't even have to wait in line. The swag bag had a nice t-shirt and a KIND bar - score! Plus, the race used CHRONO-TAG so no stress about timing.

Race day, I found easy parking (it took place at Siesta Key Beach) and upon arrival, we were offered pre-race refreshments (snack bars, water and powerade) and there was even a fun photobooth on hand.

The race started on time and with about 160 finishers (estimated) it was a smooth operation. All finishers received medals (very cool!) and there was a small awards ceremony about an hour after the race started.

Post-race, there were more snacks, plus cool swag from sponsor GTE financial (including free sunglasses and towels).

All volunteers and RDs were super friendly, and the vibe was incredibly positive. I would recommend this race to anyone - walkers, runners, families - it was a fun event, and really, you can't get much better than running on the beach, right?

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(2015)
"Great local race with fab awards!"
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I haven't been training a lot, but I *had* to check out this race, since it was as local as you could get - just 1.2 miles from my front door!

This race takes place at the Pineview School for the Gifted - a really big campus, with (as you might guess) lots of pine trees. :)

The race itself has a pretty scenic course - out of the campus, down a quiet street, through a nice neighborhood, then back to the campus via a shaded, pretty pine-lined path with a finish on the track!

As a fundraiser for the school, it was very well attended (800ish participants) and for the $25 registration fee, it was definitely a great value - a nice tech shirt, a full spread of finish line snacks (including Panera Bagels and Coffee, Whole foods yogurt parfaits, popcraft popsicles, sunni bunni froyo, chocolate milk, etc).

The icing on the cake was a 1st place AG finish today! Woot! And since I ran there...I ran home, trophy in hand. That was pretty cool.

Will definitely run again.

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(2015)
"Great People, Kind of Weird Race"
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This was my second 50K, but first road 50K. I wasn't sure what to expect, really, but had heard great things in the past about the Florida Road Race series, and looked forward to checking it out.

Since this race was just hours ago, there are still a bunch of jumbly things in my mind, but the pros and cons are as follows:

- PROS:
Easy packet pickup
Friendly volunteers
Lots of aid stations with FOOD! Water, Gatorade, Oranges, Pretzels, Mini Brownies and more
Friendly course marshalls/police
First few miles were BEAUTIFUL (bridges, water, resort area)
The finish! Love the winding overpass finish (same as Iron Girl ) and the finish line area.
Medal
Post-race experience (pasta! soda! I loved it)

-CONS:
The start!! It was very congested, and everyone was lumped together and we had to fight to spectators, 5 milers, 13.1ers and 26.2ers to even get onto the road to start
The Pinellas Trail portion of the course. I didn't feel 100 percent safe on it, TBH. Lots of stray, or unleashed cats and dogs. Rude cyclists.
No medical support. At mile 21, I had experienced some female issues, and hoped I'd see a place to grab ibuprofen, etc., but I didn't see any anywhere. Don't know if I missed it.
Course terrain. Holy overpasses!!

I didn't have the best race today, but I still enjoyed the challenge of a 50K, so I was glad I did it, but wouldn't repeat it.

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(2015)
"Great Value, Fantastic Cause"
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A coworker and I thought it'd be fun to check out this new race with our pups! Since it was my "zero" week off of running, it was great to have a low-key event to look forward to (1/2 mile dog walk).

There were a few events going on at this event:
- 1/2 mile kids run
- 1/2 mile dog walk
- 5K walk/run

Held in scenic Payne Park, this event was well-attended, and very well organized. I loved the easy parking (street and garage) plus the format (kids, dogs, then run). The course for the 1/2 mile events was one loop around the crushed clay track, and the 5K included a little detour outside of the park, plus two loops on the course.

More great things:
- Low cost
- Nice swag (tech tee for registration in any event, plus Achieva tchotchkes)
- Food truck! Your registration included a ticket for the breakfast food truck (the pancakes were great!)
- Dog tag medals for the dog walk (cool touch! Kids also got finisher medals, and AG winners in the 5K)

I would definitely recommend this race - it benefits local schools, and even had a doggy costume contest (prizes donated from Trader Joe's!)

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(2014)
"Low Key, High Class Event!"
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As an inaugural event, I was not sure what to expect for this race,but I was pleasantly surprised!

I registered last minute-ish (about 2 weeks out) and it was the highest cost, $65 - but with promise of an adorable medal, and the allure of a 10-mile race (there aren't too many of that distance round here), I had to check it out!

The event was held at Nathan Benderson Park, only about 20 minutes from my house, so it was nice driving over about an hour before start time, then picking up my packet morning of (there was a PPU event at New Balance University the day before, but it didn't fit in my schedule).

PPU was a little slow, but the volunteers and staff were so friendly, it didn't matter. At PPU, we received some pretty impressive swag for any race, let alone a 10-miler, including a headsweats visor and high quality tech/cotton blend tee!!

The race started a little late (15 minutes?) but once it was under way, it was all good. The course was well marked, and water stations well staffed. I liked the mixed terrain (paved trail, grass and a little bit of sand) and the format of two 5-mile loops was nice, too.

I would definitely do this race again! Not only did I place in my AG and PR, there were opportunities to win $50 and $100 as random raffles (I didn't win, but it was really cool seeing people get really excited about it!)

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