• Providence,
    Rhode Island,
    United States
  • May
  • 3 miles/5K, 13.1 miles/Half Marathon, 26.2 miles/Marathon
  • Road Race
  • Event Website

William Brent

EMMAUS, Pennsylvania, United States
35 52
2023
"Who would have thought Rhode Island was so hilly?"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
William Brent's thoughts:

The good: It really is a well put together event.
The bad: miles 6 through 8, and 21 through 24.

Registration / Pre-race Communication:
Registration was super simple. Most of my information was saved from previous registrations.
I was not inundated with communication leading up to the event.
I do feel that the event could have promoted its shake out run a little better.

Packet pick up
I was really happy to see that 2023 had an 'expo' feel.
2022 packet pick up was in a running store which had impossible parking and it was not convenient to walk to. The Dorrance was interestingly elegant and was easy to get to (by foot or public transport.)

The Course:
So, 2023 was hot.
It certainly felt over 90 (my garmin read a max of 93)
I can't tell you 2024 will be any better, but 2022 was 73....
The topography (according to my garmin) looks flat and there is no topography on the website for reference. I remember from 2022 there is an interesting up hill at mile 3 and an uphill along the bike path at mile 5 but I completely forgot miles 6 through 8 is this bothersome uphill along a stretch of road. It was not closed to traffic (which I don't know how you would) but its just not great.
In 2022 we passed Rose Larrisa Park and went through this neat little community, but skipped it in 2023.
The loop around (the south side) of the country club is stunning and probably the best part of the run (plus its a nice down hill.)
I'm still not entirely sure why the last third of the race feels like the absolute worst. Its only 30 feet of climb, but it hurt.

Aid stations:
I love volunteers, because the race would be really difficult without them.
That being said, the race director should teach the volunteers how to man the aid stations.
Coolers / Jugs go next to the tables not on, to make more room for the cups.
Stack cups with some card stock between them to get more on the table.
Don't overfill the cups.
please and thank you.
(this is a personal preference, not a rule, put the Gatorade/electrolyte beverage first)

Post Race:
Wide finish area; thank you volunteers with the towels!
I read there would be food and a finish festival...there was a DJ (super polite and engaging) and a few beer tents, there were some food trucks (three) on Francis street.
It was nice to relax ins the grass after the race... I guess it was a festival?

Would I recommend this.
In short, yes.
All in all this is a well put together race.
If the race director can review that section by Silver Spring Elementary school i think everyone would be happier!

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

Latest reviews

Loading Reviews...