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Latest reviews by Heather
Heather recommends this race
(2015)
"Love this race!"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
The Shamrock Shuffle 8k was held on Sunday, March 29. The expo was held at a new location this year–McCormick Place–and was on Friday and Saturday. Packet pickup was easy, and I feel this race is always well managed.
Things I enjoyed:
+ They validated parking at the expo, so instead of $21 it was $10
+ Expo is held on 2 days
+ Lots of vendors at the expo
+ Fleet Feet sells official Shamrock Shuffle merchandise, which is all Nike apparel, and I love what they have every year (especially the tech half-zips)
+ 2 wave starts; 8:30 for the first half of the corrals and 9:15 for the last half (with some time between each corral) – this really helps keep the congestion issues at bay
+ Great SWAG - a tech shirt (which was a lovely shade of green), a finisher medal (new this year, it wasn't anything too elaborate, but was a bottle opener which is appealing to some), and lots of goodies at the finish line: Special K Bars, Sun Chips (original or cheddar), Applesauce in a pouch, bottled water, banana, and Gatorade in cups (no bottles)
+ The course winds through the streets of Chicago – I think running down State Street is a highlight
+ 2 aid stations with LOTS of volunteers handing out Gatorade at the first section of tables and water and the second
+ Easy to get to via public transportation
+ Post-race party in Grant Park with food, beer, and a band
+ The course is fairly flat – the only issues for me were running across the bridge on Columbus (the grate can be hard to run on, and I'm clumsy, so a it's a bit dangerous), and then the hill on Roosevelt. Other than that I think it's wonderful (love that it's on the streets rather than the LFP – different scenery + wider area for all the runners, which means less weaving)
Things I didn't like:
- the post-race beer was Michelob Ultra. Such great Craft Beer in Chicago, I would have preferred something better, but I've come to expect Michelob Ultra at the larger races.
So the only negative I have about the race was the refreshments post-race haha, but that is of course personal preference. Other than some crazy wind at times (not that that can be helped), the weather was great during the race. Maybe 20–30 minutes after I finished the sleet began, so I didn't hang around long at the post-race party. This was my third year running this event, and I'll definitely be registering again for 2016.
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Heather recommends this race
(2015)
"Magical Place for a First Marathon!"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
This was my first ever marathon, and could't have asked for a better race to experience this. Though personally there were some issues going on (injury-wise), so even though I could have asked for a better experience in that aspect, the race itself was fantastic.
PROS:
+ Great tech-shirt (I liked the design and the material).
+ Lots of entertainment - between character stops, DJs, and marching bands.
+ Great volunteers and spectators.
+ So many photo opportunities.
+ The chance to run through all 4 parks was amazing - Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and then Epcot to the finish line. Some might also enjoy the Speedway and ESPN Wide World of Sports (for me those weren't as exciting, but I know for some it is)
+ Plenty of aid/medical stations, as well as medical staff on bicycles.
+ The medal can't be beat.
+ LOTS of post-race goodies - bottled water and Powerade, a box filled with things like chips, cheese dip, skittles, CLIF bars, etc.
+ If you are in a Disney host resort (which all Disney hotels are during Marathon Weekend), you have transportation to the expo, races, and back again.
+ I paid for the Race Retreat since when I registered I didn't know anyone else running. This had bagels, bananas, oranges, water, Powerade, and other things I'm sure I missed, plus character photos, port-o-potties specifically for the Race Retreat (with water/soap stations), and a place to hang out prior to the race, while also being temperature controlled. My only beef was that by the time I finished, got my photos at the finish line, collected my medals and race box, it was already closed, so I didn't get to have any post-race lunch. The faster folk would have been able to do this. I still think it was worth it to have separate bathrooms with water and soap to wash hands and to have a temperature controlled atmosphere to relax in before the race. Definitely helped to keep me more calm and keep those nerves at bay.
CONS:
- My one big issue with this race was that I ran it as part of the Dopey Challenge, and even though I finished in the time requirement, I wasn't able to get my photo with Dopey when I finished because they cut the line off. I think that it's unfair for the people in the later corrals, or people with injuries who might have to go slower, aren't able to get that coveted photo at the finish. We pay just as much as those that are quicker and finish with a faster time, so I don't see why they wouldn't have Dopey there long enough for the slower Dopey Challenge Finishers.
- Obviously with such a big race that closes off a lot of streets, we have to get there early. When you are in a later corral, this means a LOT of waiting around. I know this can't be helped, but thought worth mentioning so people that register have a realistic expectation. My corral started almost an hour after the race started, and since you have to be on a bus by 4 with a 5:30 race start, that's over 2 hours of wait time, and an hour of it is in the corral. If you're like me, you'll need to have to go to the bathroom again by the time you start, and it gives my nerves plenty of time to run rampant.
- They had no more Clif Shots when I got to the station at mile 15.4. Luckily, unlike the half marathon day, they were giving out Clif Bars instead. I take my own fuel so I know I'll have what I need when I need it, so it didn't matter to me, but for others that were expecting the shots at these specific points, I'm sure it was frustrating.
Overall, I knew Disney would be the perfect place to conquer my first marathon, and I wasn't wrong. I'm so glad I took on the challenge and had a great time running through Disney World!
Heather recommends this race
(2015)
"Great winter race - pre/post race INDOORS!"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
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Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
This was my first year running the F^3 Lake Half Marathon, held this year on Saturday, January 24.
PROS:
+ Packet pickup on multiple days throughout (6 days) and different locations.
+ No line at packet pickup - just showed my ID and got my Goodie Bag.
+ High-quality knit winter hat and a pair of gloves (which actually fit me well), plus a drawstring backpack.
+ Ability to pick up packets for family and friends with a copy of their ID or registration email.
+ Took place at Soldier Field - easy to access via public transit or driving.
+ Parking available at Soldier Field; was a bit of a line to get in, but took maybe 5–10 minutes, not an issue for me ($22).
+ Pre and post race hanging out was inside the United Club, so got to go from parking garage straight inside, about 10 minutes before race we were led outside, then post-race party was back inside the United Club until 4pm.
+ Clearly marked course and mile marker flags.
+ Great to run so far south on the path - nice to have some new scenery.
+ Post race beer was Goode Island.
+ Unique medal - it was a bottle opener and rectangular rather than round.
+ Water and Gatorade at the aid stations.
+ Since the pre/post race was indoors, access to inside bathrooms with running water and soap was awesome (they also had some port-o-potties at the start line and at most of the aid stations, I think).
+ 10am start time (the chance to sleep in later).
+ Race management has no control over this, but the weather was just about as perfect as it can be for late January in Chicago - mostly sunny, mid-high 30's (and a bit of wind, but that's ok).
+ Great, energetic volunteers.
+ The course was clear of snow and ice, though it had some puddles from the sun melting what was on the grass (didn't matter to me, but like to point out all aspects).
CONS
- No race day packet pick up (can be a nice option for those that have a hard time making it to the scheduled days - not a huge deal since they had so many days and locations available).
- I just came off of the Dopey Challenge, so was more back-of-the-pack than usual (especially with a smaller field of runners than usual on a half marathon Chicago course), and the last 2 aid stations no longer were giving out water/gatorade.
- No more hot chocolate, chocolate milk, OR KIND bars when I finished. The only thing available to me was some water filled in cups at the finish line and beer inside. The concession stands were open, so I could have bought some food, but I was disappointed I didn't get a KIND bar or milk.
- No bottled water or bottled gatorade at the finish.
This was a 5-star rating until I got to about mile 11 when I no longer received anything to drink. Granted, it wasn't hot, but I've been battling a cold and some water would have been nice. I was within the course pacing requirement, and there were still volunteers around, just no one handing out water, or tables with cups. While running by the parking lot near the aid station, I saw volunteers carrying the water gallon jugs - so they obviously hadn't run out. Just leaving one of those and some cups I would have poured my own if I needed to. Then, once I got to the finish line, there were no KIND bars or chocolate milk. I looked inside and couldn't find any either. I asked a worker if there was any hot chocolate left, and he said it was all gone.
These things added up to a loss of a star for me. I understand that being slower can mean less course support, but if you have a course time limit and people are within that, they should be able to receive the same support as everyone else. When I finish, I'd really like something to eat or a bottle of water, gatorade, or chocolate milk when I cross the finish line to help with my recovery.
So, that aspect was disappointing, but overall I loved the course, weather, and the whole indoor pre/post race was AWESOME. I thought that it was well organized and communication was clear and frequent. It's definitely a recommended race if you are looking to stay active in the winter :)
My blog recap (for more detailed, personal aspects): http://www.heatherrunsthirteenpointone.com/2015/01/f3-lake-half-marathon-recap.html
Heather recommends this race
(2015)
"Magical Half Marathon"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
The WDW Half Marathon was held on January 10, 2015. The weather at the start was a bit chilly (30s), but warmed up once the sun came out (and once you started moving).
PROS:
+ Great SWAG - love the shirt material/quality/sizing (gender specific), amazing finisher medals.
+ Transportation to/from the race if you stayed at a Disney World Host Resort (for WDW Marathon Weekend that is every Disney hot on property).
+ The course is great - since the parks are so spread out, you have a good amount of time on highway roads, but plenty of entertainment to make the miles go by quickly. Plus, it's nice to be on those roads to help spread out all of the runners and clear up congestion.
+ Character stops and entertainment (DJs, marching bands, etc).
+ Plenty of aid stations that are well-manned by lots of volunteers - powered & water at each.
+ Fireworks at the start of every corral.
+ Post-race snacks - bottled water & powerade (multiple flavors), banana, and runner box with chips, cheese dip, moist towelette, dried fruit, Skittles, etc.
+ Running through Magic Kingdom - and through the castle - is an amazing experience, plus going through Epcot as well is a fun time.
+ Fairly flat course (a few overpasses and ramps that were tough, like around mile 10 or 11).
CONS:
- Be prepared to wait a long time in your corral if you are farther back (like me).
- They ran out of Clif shots at the 8.5 mile station and didn't have anything as a back up (like they did for the marathon the next day) - either they weren't prepared for the number of runners (which seems unlikely for runDisney), or runners were being greedy and taking more than one. This is the only reason they lost a star for aid stations.
- Bottle necking at certain points of the course (especially going through the castle, which turned into a slow walk from crowding)
runDisney puts on races like no other. I always have a great time running the course, meeting new people, and just enjoying my time out there. It's pretty awesome getting a chance to run through the parks. While the cons are things I'm used to, or things I'm not concerned too much with, just thought it was important to point out for other runners considering the race. I don't run these races for time, but for fun, so things like bottlenecking could really frustrate runners who have a time goal in mind. I would definitely recommend this race for a first time half marathoner, but it's also fun for all levels.
Heather recommends this race
(2014)
"Running of the Santas"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
This is a super fun race, which was held on Saturday, December 6 at 9am at Soldier Field. They encourage everyone to race with the items in your goodie bag - Santa hat, Santa beard, and your sweatshirt. It's really fun to see so many people do that, which means you are running in a sea of Santas - quite entertaining.
Things I enjoyed:
+ easy packet pickup at Fleet Feet Old Town and was 3 days.
+ race day packet pickup available.
+ easy access to race via CTA or parking at Solider Field for $20.
+ cookies and candy on course (2 aid stations... I think only the second one also had water & gatorade).
+ bottled water, mini m&ms at the finish, and cookies & milk at the finish line 'pre-party'.
+ post-race party at Navy Pier - bring your race bib in order to receive awesome food and drink specials at Bubba Gump’s, Billy Goat, Capi’s, Chango Loco (Crystal Gardens), City Porch, Haagen Dazs, Harry Caray’s, Margaritaville, McDonald’s, Navy Pier Beer Garden, and Riva. - - I didn't participate, but sounds fun.
+ timed race with the B-tag.
+ the sweatshirts ordered ended up being about 2 sizes too small, but at packet pickup I was allowed to switch without any problems - - they even alerted me to the problem before giving me the size I had ordered, and they let me try on the other sizes without any issues. If no exchanges that day were allowed, then this would be in the cons list, but they handled the situation very well. From what I gathered, Chicago was the first race of the series, and that's why the sweatshirts were an issues... sounded like it should be fixed for the other cities (hopefully).
+ corrals and wave starts (not that everyone lines up where they should, but like any race that does waves to cut back on the congestion on course).
+ goody bag included dri-fit hoodie, Santa hat, and Santa beard.
+ plenty of race communication from the race management.
+ funny signs along the course (Grumpy Cat, Walken, etc)
Things I didn't enjoy:
- running through the tunnel at McCormick Place - - while it's nice and wide, it's really dark in there and I'm always afraid I'm going to twist an ankle on the uneven surface. I get that it's the best way to have the course, I just wish there was more lighting in there.
That's it for the cons. Other than that little part, it's a nice course because the out is on a wider path (most of the way), which thins out the runners a bit, so coming back on the lake front path isn't too bad (much better than if it was out and back only on the path like most races.
It was a fun run, which benefited Toys for Tots and ACS.