Alexandria Running Festival

Alexandria Running Festival

Alexandria Running Festival

( 3 reviews )
33% of reviewers recommend this race
  • Alexandria,
    Virginia,
    United States
  • May
  • 3 miles/5K, 13.1 miles/Half Marathon
  • Road Race
  • Event Website

Amy

Maryland, United States
6 4
2015
""Meh" at Best. Save your money."
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
Amy 's thoughts:

I raced the Alexandria Running Festival 5k for the second time. (The first being back in 2011 or 12; I forget.) Due to the time of year, it can be HOT. Both races start & finish at the US Patent & Trademark building right on Eisenhower Ave. Races originating here have the bonus of free parking in the garage, which is connected via a walkway. There are indoor flushing toilets available pre- and post-race, along with plenty of Port-o-Johns outside near the start/finish.

I picked up my bib morning of - bonus. Although, signage was virtually nonexistent for the various tables (on-site registration, pre-registered Half, pre-registered 5k, Half t-shirts, 5k t-shirts). Basically take a guess, stand in line, and hope when you get to the table you've picked the right now. Signage could DEFINITELY be improved. Separate lines for bibs and t-shirts could be eliminated too. I registered online some time ago (for a reasonable $30), and I don't recall the registration stating the t-shirts were gender specific. Apparently I had selected "Medium" at the time of registration. When I was given the Women's Medium, I laughed (those women's tech shirts are basically children's sizes) and asked if I could swap for a Large. I was just told "no" by the volunteer, no explanation or apology. On the way out from the pick-up area, someone handed me a water bottle with the charity name on it (Marathon Charity Cooperation). Honestly, I could have gone without the too-small shirt (that will likely get donated) and the water bottle, of which I already have a large collection). Note: This race still used the old-school "toe tags", which makes for quite a bottleneck at the finish line when volunteers are stopping runners to rip them off.

Of the three races, the Half Marathon was scheduled to begin at 7:30 am, the Children's Fun Run at 7:45, and the 5k at 8:00. The Half did not begin until 7:55, but the speaker system outside at the starting line was so poor, it wasn't audible towards the back of the starting pack (where I was waiting with some friends that were running the Half) to hear if there was a reason stated. Without any real introduction or playing of the national anthem (this really turns me off from a race when they can't even play a pre-recorded version), someone literally shouted "GO!" and the Half began. There was some real confusion with the Fun Run due to the sound system being so poor, and the delayed start. There were parents running, dragging their kids up to the start line well after the Fun Run had started. Anyhow, at about 8:15, the 5k was kicked off, with the same lack of fan-fare as the Half.

The 5k course itself is out-and-back along Eisenhower Ave. There is little to no shade, little to nothing to look at/distract you, and virtually zero spectators. The only thing the course has going for it is the lack of elevation change. Garmin recorded a total of 18 feet of gain over the whole course. There is one overpass early on (which consequently, is nearly at the end on the return), but it isn't much. There was one water/Gatorade stop that seemed amply supplied/manned. The race ends just as uneventfully as it begins. In talking with friends who have run the associated Half, I believe the course is just as unimpressive as the 5k. There are finisher's medals for the Half and Fun Run, but not 5k

Post-race water outside at the finish. Inside was pretzels/chips, fruit, bagels etc. With the majority running the Half, there was obviously plenty to select from for the 5k finishers. Without much going on, I left shortly after drinking my water and half bagel. Parking garage - easy in/easy out.

Overall, a very "meh" race at best. If it is local to you, and you are able to shut off your brain or imagine the scenery is better than it is, it's worth the relatively low registration fee. The 5k course is definitely one for a PR, but for Memorial Day weekend, you're certainly at the mercy of Mother Nature.

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