I signed up for this race with a few friends, looking for a mid-spring half (April 29). Temperature-wise, I was looking forward to it, and luckily the rain held off till after I finished.

I’m not sure what year the race switched to Amesbury, but that’s where it’s currently based out of now. I knew going in it was going to be a hillier race, but I don’t necessarily need the flattest course.

My Garmin recorded 378 feet of elevation. I could feel it!

Our pacer was amazing. I stuck with the 2:00 pacer, hoping to get another sub-2. I had never run a race with a pacer before, and at mile 12, he told our group to start running - that if we all wanted a sub-2, we just needed to beat him across the finish line. And I PR’d: 1:57:43! I loved getting a PR on a course that made me work for it.

Swag was great - a big comfy hoodie (though the red color is a little much for me) and a cool trucker hat.

The medal is fun. This year’s looked like a record player.

I got to the race a little early, and parking was RIGHT THERE. I don’t remember the last time I parked so close. It was ideal to leave everything in the car and be able to switch into dry clothes so quickly.

Race management was superb. The MC was AWESOME, and the after-party was fun. (It would have been more enjoyable with better weather, but it was fine.) There were musicians out on the course (who I felt bad for, being in the rain) and a band at the finish line. We received two beers, plus there was pizza and other snacks on site. I even lost my key somewhere on the course or at the after-party - miraculously someone found it and then the race director mailed it back to me! I would definitely do more Green Stride races in the future.