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Latest reviews by Soo M
Soo M recommends this race
(2017)
"Well run local charity race"
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Living in Kingston and being a frequent patron of the Running Room, I learned of the Neuro Half marathon and was keen to try a new race. Organized by a Running Room employee in support of Neurology Dept at the local hospital, it was an amazing feat for an inaugural race. The organization was fantastic. Even with the unseasably cold rainy weather, it did not dampen the runners' spirits.
Race pack pick up was fairly easy and uneventful - no expo but an opportunity to purchase raffle tickets and for the pasta dinner. Race day was wel organized and the route, while uninspiring along the city roads and suburbs, was exactly 21.1 km! The aid stations only had water, and one of the stations had not been set up, meaning there was a long period between 11-18 km where there was no water. Nevertheless, the race course finish made up for it, with good post race food. Well done and thank you to the volunteers!
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Soo M recommends this race
(2015)
"Montreal Marathon Madness! "
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I ran the Rock n Roll Marathon this past Sun with my husband. For him it was his first marathon experience (my fifth), so for this review, it is a collection of both of our comments.
Kit Pick-up/Expo: The kit pick up was seamless, and there was barely any waiting despite the masses of folks looking for their bib number and picking up their T-shirt. We were given out bib, T-shirt, and a 1 day Metro pass. The expo was interesting with a number of samples (thanks Oasis Canada!), but we were in and out within about an hour.
Race day: With an 0830 start, we were up early to catch the bus and subway (Metro pass came in handy!). It was an easy ride to the race festivities - however, notably the start line on Jacques Cartier Bridge was quite a distance (i.e. I almost made my 10,000 step count even before the race began!). The coral system is a great idea but with that many runners on the bridge, the rolling start times meant that I started about 45 min after the first coral - by then, I was cold, stiff, and dreading the 42.2 km! This being said, the course was lovely, winding throughout Jean Drapeau Park and across the bridge to Montreal. We were treated to parts of Vieux-Montreal, though the second part of the marathon was less scenic (more residential). The support along the route (water stations and music) was always fantastic!
Post-race - again very well organized. Liked the fact that you were given a food bag instead of having to self serve. And beer! A free beer too! The post race party was great - lots of additional samples of yogurt, juice and snacks. Bouncy castles for the kids too!
Overall: I had seen a review of this race from a previous year that indicated this event is more focussed towards the half marathon event. Very true - the marathoners in red bibs were the definite minority amongst the green half-marathoners. The support and scenic route was much better during the first half for these racers. This was the biggest sticking point. If the organizers separated the marathoners (start an hour earlier), then there would not be such a long wait for marathoners to run with the HM-ers, who run a different strategy. It was psychologically difficult to be running the same course as them, and as they were finishing by km 20, the path split as the marathoners were diverged to a much less scenic route continuation whilst the HM-ers ran towards the finish line where the welcoming crowds were. However, upon balancing everything, The race was a great experience - many thanks to the Rock N Roll race organizers for a fantastic weekend!
Soo M recommends this race
(2015)
"My 42.2 km Toronto Urban Tour"
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This race starts off in North York at Mel Lastman Square. The route is scenic in an urban way, given that you run past attractions like Casa Loma, Roy Thompson Hall, and in sight of the iconic CN tower. I will be honest - the only reason I ran this particular race was for the medal - it's huge! Overall, a well organized race with all the check marks for t-shirt, goodies at the expo, and post-race refreshments. Thanks to the volunteers and supporters!
Soo M recommends this race
(2014)
"Canada Army Run - Strong, Proud!"
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The Army Run is an extremely popular race, both for our military personnel, selling out quite quickly. The 2014 year was no exception. This was my third year running it.
Pre-race: The expo was extremely well done. Collection of the bib and race kit was carried out like a smooth military operation. The long sleeve technical shirt is always popular: camo patterned and new this year: with reflective piping (perfect for the early morning zero dark early runs). This expo also had a children's area - quite a bonus!! Bouncy castles, face painting (camo colours no less!), ball throws, and free cotton candy made the area a children’s paradise and popular venue. My own children loved this area, and bode well for keeping them entertained whilst I took two hours to run the race.
Race: The military have a popular saying: "If it ain't rainin' you ain't training". It must have been a training run (and it was!) because it POURED. However, with the masses of runners, spirits were not dampened at all. The support along the route was still fabulous, even a high five with our Governor General as we passed his residence!
Normally the post race activities are a highlight. Once you collet your finisher medal (a cool dog-tag style creation), you were shepparded to the food tent and were given a nifty jacket (in place of the space blankets). There were plenty of other activities, but the rain was a little too heavy to encourage outdoor activity. Still, spirits were high!
Overall, an amazing race to enjoy the spirit and sense of community that is the Canadian Army: Strong, Proud, Ready!
Soo M recommends this race
(2014)
"Race true to its word!"
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The North Face Endurance Challenge held its inaugural Canadian race at Blue Mountain Ski Resort. On race day (Sat), the marathon was the shortest distance to be run (!), and was my first foray into what was really an Ultra race. The pre-race information and website were extremely detailed, so I had a good idea (in the theoretically sense) what I was getting myself into....
Pre-race: Race kit pick up was the same morning as race day. It was a quiet affair, but pretty smooth. I was given my bib, a blue T-shirt (free silk screening afterwards of your race distance) and a choice of some really neat technical socks.
It was pretty cool to have Dean Karnazes inspire us just before the start of the race. With his wise words, we were off. Up and down (and up again!) the ski slopes, over rough terrain, so road, and more rough terrain. But the scenery and friendly runners passing by made up for the drudgery. After a while, as the sun grew hotter, it started to feel like a death march. However, the aid stations were like oases in a desert and stocked full of a wide variety of gels, Shotbloks, broth, sandwiches, CANDY, pretzels - basically sweet and savory carbs to keep you going! By the last 10 km, I admit to struggling a bit with muscle cramps - and groaning with the relentless hill climbs, but I did prevail.
Post race party was great. Finishers were provided with a lunch and a chance to tour the little kiosks. But the best bit was the ice bath tent - this time I really needed it! Runners dipped their feet and lower legs in individualized vats, and nothing felt better. I chatted with the other runners about their race (the 80 km runners started out at 5 am!), and at that moment caked in sweat with my feet in a bucket of water, I was on a post runner's high.
The medal and bib are reminders of my amazing experience. I will never forget it!