RUN CRANDIC

RUN CRANDIC

RUN CRANDIC

( 11 reviews )
90% of reviewers recommend this race
  • Cedar Rapids/Iowa City,
    Iowa,
    United States
  • April
  • 3 miles/5K, 13.1 miles/Half Marathon, 26.2 miles/Marathon
  • Road Race
  • Event Website

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RUN CRANDIC powered by the University of Iowa Community Credit Union is a unique athletic and social event that brings the Corridor together. The route, which starts in the heart of the NewBo neighborhood in Cedar Rapids, follows the CRANDIC train line along Highway 965 through Swisher, North Liberty and into Coralville. The half marathon picks up in North Liberty and the 5K joins in Coralville. All three of the routes will end at historic Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. The event kicks off with a pre-party at NewBo City Market and a post-party at Big Grove Brewery & Taproom in Iowa City.

Christine Guenther

Spokane, Washington, United States
73 121
2018
"Inaugural Run Crandic"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
Christine Guenther's thoughts:

2018 was the inaugural Run CRANDIC (Cedar Rapid and Iowa City) Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K. I signed up in an attempt to get Iowa off my half marathon state list.

Expo: two days to pick up bibs. Friday, was in Iowa City and more of a grab and go sort of deal with no vendors. Saturday, this was in Cedar Rapids and at NewBo Market. Running stores/booths were there, which was good, because I needed throw away gloves (who knew I'd be saying that in April). Both were small, but it's also kind of nice to not be attacked by vendors to buy things.

Pre Race Parking/Getting to the Start: Parking was at Kinnick Stadium at the University of Iowa where 3-4 lots were blocked off for runners. Shuttles for the full started leaving at something ridiculously early since they started earlier than the full. Half marathon shuttles starting leaving at 630 AM for the half marathon start. You had to register for shuttles, and were given a pass, though I feel like they weren't being checked.

At the Start: I was on one of the first shuttles to the start in North Liberty. Iowa has some flat areas in it, and with the wind and some chilliness, it was cold (you never know what weather Iowa will give you). Luckily, a dentist opened up his office and a bunch of runners were in keeping warm, but it would have been nice to have some tents/heaters to keep warm. If you couldn't pick up your bib during the expo, the half did have a limited pick up option race morning.

The course: Race started at 815 and there were pacers set up for runners. There were semi corrals which was nice (and runners did pretty well self seeding so you weren't running over slower runners). There were waves let out about a minute between each other due to some narrow areas at the start, which was smart. The first 3-4 miles of the half were in North Liberty before we connected with the full marathon. There were some hills the middle portion of the course, but it wasn't terrible considering what the full marathon had to deal with. We wound our way through Coralville before heading into Iowa City and finishing at Kinnick Stadium. Aid stations were well marked and they were well stocked with water, gatorade, gels and oranges. I appreciated the signs in front saying what was available

The Finish: at Kinnick Stadium. You ran through the stadium (and waved at the kids in the children's hospital). You finished outside the stadium, but there wasn't enough room for people (we were too packed in). Medals and chocolate milk were available, but I couldn't find any post race food.

The good: very well run, good communication, you wouldn't necessarily know it was the first year of the race.

Things to improve on: the medal situation. I realize not wanting to over order medals, but at the finish, they were checking bib numbers to make sure you had registered prior to the medal order dead line. They may have been better off ordering some medals that didn't have years on them so they could be used in the future if there were too many. Additionally, there needed to be a finish area that could accommodate the people coming through. Also, Couldn't find any post race food, which was an issue. They did have a post race party at a local bar/pub with shuttles going too and from, but something more visible at the finish would have been awesome.

Overall, some learning curves, but definitely a race to have on your radar and do!

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