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Latest reviews by Maureen
Maureen recommends this race
(2013)
"viva las vegas!"
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I know, this race is really expensive. But I can't even begin to imagine how much permits must cost to shut down the strip for several hours, so keep that in mind.
Tip: I recommend staying near MGM Grand/NYNY. They are about halfway between the start and finish, and not congested at the end. Very easy to get back to your room once you get out of the humongous finisher chute!
The course itself is nothing short of awesome. You start going south on the strip, past the Vegas sign and down to the end of the airport. Once you turn around, all of Vegas is in front of you. Since the race takes place at night, it's pretty spectacular. The course turns around over in old Las Vegas (Fremont Street). Some parts between miles 8 and 9 are pretty dark, but once you get back on the Strip, it's fine. The area is policed very well, and I felt very safe. The bands were actually pretty good, and the aid stations were well-staffed.
The shirt and medal are so great. The design on both are excellent, and the medal even glows in the dark. The finisher's chute is seriously enormous, and kind of a pain to get through just to get back to your hotel. But, if you follow my tip and stay at the south end of the Strip, it's no problem!
I hope to see you all there in 2014!
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Maureen recommends this race
(2013)
"nice little 5K in one of chicago's BEST neighborhoods"
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A no-frills, neighborhood 5K. Edison Park is near where I grew up, so this is my home. The 5K route goes through the residential area, and people sit on their front porches and cheer for the runners. The shirt is cotton, long-sleeved, and the design stays the same from year-to-year. But the BEST thing about this race? It benefits a local charity each year, so before you eat your turkey, you're doing a little good. And the race is early enough that you will be back on your couch before the Bears game!
Maureen recommends this race
(2013)
"a tough tour of cleveland"
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I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked running in Cleveland! The course was pretty tough, and very hilly in some spots. Lots of bridges to run across. We saw pretty much all of the major sites in Cleveland, as it started at the Rock Hall and finished near the casino, passing all of the major sports venues on the way. Aid stations and the expo were typical RnR variety. The medal and the shirt are FANTASTIC - so well-designed, and I'm proud to own them. Will definitely be back to do this one at some point!
Maureen recommends this race
(2013)
"denver is a cool place!"
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I loved the course, the medal, and the t-shirt (I wear the shirt all the time). The course hit all of the highlights of downtown, and went out to a couple of really pretty parks. Spectators lined pretty much every part of the course. Aid stations and the expo were your typical RnR variety, although there was a GREAT local store (Run Colorado) selling the cutest apparel, which made for a nice souvenir. We had no issues with parking, gear check, or the bathroom line. Overall a nice tour of the city, and a great way for me to cross off Colorado!
Maureen recommends this race
(2013)
"it's always a good time in StL"
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Easily one of my favorite RnR races. St Louis, if you have never been, is a really great little city. Downtown is very walkable, there's great food, and the people are friendly. When there is a race in town, it seems like the entire city backs it. As a result, some of the best spectators EVER can be found in St Louis, year after year.
I like that I can walk to the start/finish from my hotel. The course is not flat by any means, and the beginning part of it (after passing Busch Stadium) goes through a very questionable neighborhood. But then you smell the (Pappy's) BBQ and enter the university area, where college kids in their pajamas are out with signs and noisemakers for you.
The rest of the course is pretty great. Hilly, but great. You get to go through some neighborhoods with really pretty houses, and the finish is (hilly) right in downtown St Louis. The medal and the shirt are always great, and the finish area is very large and easy to get around.
Overall, this is a must-do for me, and I can't wait to see what's in store for 2014!