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

See more of our race!

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.

Angie Maske-Berka

Iowa, United States
177 212
2018
"Inaugural Crandic"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
Angie Maske-Berka's thoughts:

The 2018 marathon took place on Sunday, April 29th at 6:30AM: starting near the NewBo City market in Cedar Rapids and ending at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. It was sunny, with a head wind, eventually heating near 70 degrees.

There were 3 distances to run, a full, half and 5k. Each at different times and locations. The 5k was in partnership with the River Run.

Registration: Available online only, starting at $80 and increasing to $120, days before the event and then it was closed. No race day registration. If you were the first so many to register you received free socks. Included was chip timing, unisex tech t-shirt, train whistle, free digital downloads, post race beer and hot dog.

Expo / Packet pick up: There were 2 options for packet pick up. A quick grab n go in Iowa City on Friday and an expo style pick up on Saturday in Cedar Rapids. Look up your bib number, tell the volunteer, get a prefilled bag (doubles for gear check.) No ID required, and you could pick up someone else's stuff.

The expo was at the NewBo City Market, which is home to some local food and crafters. It was small, but had running stores, information, a photo booth, sign making and live music. There was a course talk at the nearby running store.

Pre-race: The race is a point to point. A free shuttle was available at the finish line to take to the start. If you parked at the shuttle or the actual start there was plenty of FREE parking.. There were many port-o-potties set up at the market, and at the actual starting line. The indoor toilets were open at the market too. A water fountain in and out provided water. Gear check was available for those who needed it. Close to race starting time participants were encouraged to head to the start line, which was a short few blocks away.. After some announcements, there was a singing of the National Anthem and the race started.

Race/Course:
*Point to point race, covering multiple cities, counties and municipalities including the University of Iowa
-Terrain: This is a road race, but parts of the course are along a main highway and you can choose to run in the gravel shoulder. Some narrow sidewalk, with your average cracks.
-Elevation: Overall gain just under 1000 feet. There are hills at the start, a flat center section and hills to finish. For the most part, rolling hills. Iowa is not flat.
-Scenery: The race starts in a city, then you run on open highway with views of farmland. Running by water, and then finishing in a couple cities.
-Course Markings: Cones were placed in some areas. Traffic did not obey laws and was on the course in parts that were closed. Each mile had a marker.
-Photography: One official race photographer and volunteers taking photos. Free digital downloads to be provided.
-Pacers on course
-Spectators: There were cheer zones set up in the areas closest to cities, but there were also some stretches with no one. There were also many aid stations set up by spectators - a guy with a Cap’N Crunch stop. The last mile had a brewery with beer samples.
-Volunteers: Many busy intersections missing volunteers. Law enforcement was present at MAJOR crossings and would stop runners to let traffic through.
-Aid Stations: There was an aid station every 2 miles until about mile 17, and then one every mile. A sign before the aid station said what was available. Each station had water and Gatorade. Some stops with GU, vaseline, pickle juice, port-o-potties and orange slices. At my pace the first and second aid station had no cups or Gatorade. There seemed to be issues with which liquid was first, but all volunteers clearly announced what was in their cups. As the weather heated up, it was nice to have a chance for water every mile, if they had cups.

Finish: The finish line was after a run through the concourse at Kinnick Stadium, it was easy to spot as a timing mat was placed next to the Nile Kinnick statue. Once finished, marathoners received a medal. Then you could proceed into the stadium to the field if you wanted to climb the steps. *When I finished I had to search for water, there was none. I knew there was a drinking fountain inside Kinnick. I did find a cup of chocolate milk. There was no food. After my time on the field, there had been a delivery of water.

Post Race: The more traditional post race party was held at a brewery 2 miles away. A tag on the bib redeemed a free beer, including a chance at a Crandic 26.2 brew (or any beer on tap!) There was also a tag on the bib for food, one hot dog. Additional food available for purchase. Live music played and awards were announced at 2pm.

Overall: As an inaugural event I think the race was great! However, there were many problems that can be fixed for next year. It’s awesome I can say I ran from Cedar Rapids to Iowa City. Also it's cool to know upfront that proceeds went to the school districts.

My race: Ok, so maybe I should have mentioned this first, but I wanted to write my review, just as I have written all my other 164 reviews - BUT I was on the planning committee for this event. I know what it took to get this event to happen, in fact it took over 10 years. I also know all the hard work and time people put in. That being said, I did not have any goals going into this, I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to run it, maybe I should have volunteered at one of those busy intersections? Anyway, I chose to run the race. When I got to the first aid station, then the second and realized there were no cups, it took a lot of miles for me to try to forget and worry about those mistakes. I did start the race with a friend and we ran the first 14 miles together. I was able to run many other miles with friends along the course. I heard many cheers for me, from people I’m still not sure who they were. I was surprised by a friend around mile 22. I was having a great running race for me. When I got to the finish and realized there was no water and no food I was back in a mood. However, I ran into many friends at the finish who told me all about their race experiences, I also watched many complete their first. I am rambling, but race day for me truly is about the people and hanging out with them and hearing about their journeys.

Next year the course will run the opposite direction, so you can run from Iowa City to Cedar Rapids. I welcome you to Iowa in advance!

Loading Comments...

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

Latest reviews

Loading Reviews...