Pints to Pasta

Pints to Pasta

Pints to Pasta

( 4 reviews )
No one recommends this race yet.
  • Portland,
    Oregon,
    United States
  • September
  • 6 miles/10K, 13.1 miles/Half Marathon
  • Road Race
  • Event Website

Jonathan Sisley

Oregon, United States
3 10
2015
"Pints to Pasta: If you like an undetermined race start, get 'em here! "
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
Jonathan Sisley's thoughts:

I had lots of fun running the Pints to Pasta race (I have fun running every race so is that new?) Here is a category-by-category breakdown of why I would run this again, but wouldn't recommend it to anyone who wants to run the 10K!

Overall: Smooth, fast, and over before you know it. The start line seems congested, but it was easy enough to get loose and find your position.

T-Shirts/SWAG: I always love the designs that the HTC Race series comes up with, and the Pints to Pasta was a unique green and yellow color that I got to add to my collection. Their bibs (which I collect) are uniquely designed and well colored, and the medals are absolutely fantastic. If you are a fast runner looking for some cool swag if you win, the age division and overall prizes were very nice. Placing 3rd overall and 1st in my age division, I got two headlamps for Hood to Coast by Led Lenser, two beer glasses (oops, I can't use these!) and two active headphones.

Aid Stations: I don't use many aid stations, but I want to give it 5-stars because the volunteers remembered me (either from previous races or earlier that day) and they even have younger children volunteering and they always try very hard to get you water and I honestly think it's awesome. I love seeing the younger children getting involved in something I love.

Scenery: It was through downtown Portland, so it wasn't going to be the trees and forests like a cross country race. I did enjoy running alongside the Riverfront (which is also a part of the course for Hood to Coast) and running across the bridge feels fast. However, after you cross the bridge, making it to the turn-around point was a little dull.

Other key points: One thing I would touch on is the elevation. It's a noticeable incline for the first mile and that threw off my pace, but then you go down for a long time (1.5 miles or so?) If you are going for a PR (Personal Record) maybe not the course. Although I was able to secure one for myself, the extremely long hill at the end definitely didn't help.

Why would I run this again? Because I want to challenge that hill again! I also love the unique bibs and shirts so if I'm paying for a race, I feel like I really got my money's worth in the end! If the smile isn't enough proof, what is?

EDIT
So I totally forgot (and was reminded by a friend) on the confusion at the race start. The original start time was pushed way back, and the starters were very inconsistent with their decision. We ended up starting half an hour later (or so) and getting closer they said "10 minutes" which turned out to actually only be 3 and resulted in me stripping down out of warm-up gear really fast. They also lacked any smart mode of transportation to the 10K start (half-marathon was out-and-back) so people were starting way off time in waves. To put in to perspective: I ran to the 10K start from the Half start and turned around and as I passed through the 10K start the second time, there were people still getting off the shuttle bus to start their race. That's like 40 minutes after the leaders of the 10K had started. They needed about 5 times the amount of busses than what they had calculated for the amount of people running. So I would do this again, but so I don't get caught up in the bussing situation I would run the half, not the 10K.

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