was excited to run another race as part of the Masters Series, and add to my bling collection! :)

I was really impressed with the course and race management in July, for the Bristol, RI half marathon. The Jamestown Half Marathon, was exceptional also.

I was unable to attend the bib pickup Friday night, so arrived at the start line/bib pick up Saturday morning an hour before the race, and had friendly volunteers directing me to the parking lot and registration line. We received a goody bag with some great samples inside, which I love to try items like this to see if I like. I also love the fact they go green, with not paper advertisements that I usually put in recycle bins. I was done in 5 minutes :) There was plenty of port o johns, and no lines also.

Fort Getty Park was cloudy and cool, but still a beautiful start. The course was very nice with some rolling hills and plenty of water, gu and electrolytes.

I love my tech shirt and beautiful bling :) See photo above.

I really have to admit, there is no negative feedback at all with this race, or the first one I ran with them! :) I highly recommend this race and the series.

www.RunRI.us

Twitter: racetherode

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Well I was excited to return again this year, as I had a fabulous time last year! I didn't end up going to packet pickup this year, and there was no carbo dinner, so I visited some friends in Burlington, VT. I arrived about an hour before the marathon and parked right behind the finish line.

Packet Pickup was quick and no line at the Porto Johns, so I had plenty of time before the race to meet up with other BibRave Pros and have a cup of coffee. I love small races when its not so chaotic before the run.

I just love Vermont, and this marathon has so many beautiful views to keep you motivated. The start and finish is across the street from the Waitsfield Inn. Its a nice challenging hilly course, but the views are worth it. There was plenty of aid stations with water, gu, and fruit.

Finish line you always get a big hug from Dori the RD! :) Post food was bagels, water, and chips. They had a nice kids pool with cold water, where I took off my shoes and soaked my feet. My phone died early, so I was unable to take as many photos as I would have liked.

I love this marathon and the wonderful volunteers! I ran 2 years in a row now, and may make it an annual event.

Highly recommend.

I was excited to run this race since its on such a beautiful course! I have been cycling and running parts of the course the past 6 weeks, so knew most of the course.

I went to Bristol Friday to bike on the East Bay Bike Path and have lunch, before attending Packet Pick up at Colt School. Packet Pick up was very easy to find, park and lots of volunteers inside made it go quickly. There really wasn't an expo but they did have a table of some items for sale.

Sat. morning I left my house at 4:30am since its about an hour drive, and the race start was at 6:30am. I was glad it was an early start as the humidity was extremely high and my car already said it was 70 degrees at 4:30am. I arrived in Bristol before 6am and parked a few blocks from the start, and had a nice quick walk to the start and port o potties. The race was sold out, but plenty of room and space without over crowded feeling. Such a gorgeous ocean view start with lots of 4th of July decorations around the town and on the course.

There was plenty of support, aid stations, porto johns, and gorgeous views along the course. The start and finish was at the same location, and lots of vendors, music, restaurants and views to take in.

My friend Bryna ran with me, and we both had a wonderful time! We are looking forward to running more of the series. Next year I want to run all 5 for the sweet bling that connects to one another.

The race was quick to post the results, and today posted FREE photos to download, which is another great perk.

I highly recommend this race.

I was happy to return for a second year! The DMSE Classic is a weekend race series including a 5k and 10k on Saturday morning and half marathon Sunday at 7am. You can run one of them or the five and dime, or all 3 (hat trick). I figured why not all 3? :)

Race communication was great, all your information was on the website, FB and emails. Last year the packet pickup was so quick and easy, I opted to save the Friday night drive and arrive a little earlier Sat. morning. It was great, they had volunteers directing the cars into the college parking lot, so I was in and done with my packet pickup within minutes. I had 45 minutes to spare with no lines at the line of Porto Johns, which is another perk while hydrating.

Expo: Since I didn't arrive on Friday, I'm not sure how much they had to offer. Sat. and Sun. I really didn't see vendors where you purchase items, but for me I've been trying not to buy any more running gear, and I less than an hour away, so I didn't need any last minute items.

Sat. the 5k and 10k started on time and great weather, last year was really hot and humid. There was plenty of enthusiasm and a small field, so not so much chaos which I prefer :) Both races start and finish at the college. The course has a few small hills ( if your used to new england hills, you can't avoid them). I prefer hills over flat courses especially on pavement.
Finish line goodies: 3 medals for 5k and 10k combination, for those who love the bling.
They had volunteers handing out cold water bottles with the medals, and then you had the runners food tent, which had bananas, granola bars, chips, and GF chips. I was so excited to see Yasso Greek yogurt pops there again this year! Yes, I had a different flavor after each race. I also received a soft purple Yasso Yogurt T-shirt, just for telling them how much I LOVE their product. Muscle Milk was also there and I tried the Blueberry flavor, which was so much better than the other flavors I've tried in the past. Our bibs had food and beer tickets, but I have to admit the food was disappointing, as it was a ticket for Popcorn or a Pretzel? I was hearing comments about the pretzel, so I preferred not to waste my carbs on something that didn't taste good. I'm pretty sure last year they had some real hot food. But, Thank Goodness for Yasso as that was my fuel, since I didn't eat breakfast and ran on water only, I was happy to have the protein post run. Since it was morning, I didn't use my beer ticket either.
I stayed to see the Children's Fun run and of course the emotional Celebrity Mile. Since 2013 Boston Marathon bombing still has an effect on me, it is inspirational to see Jeff Bauman and Adrianne Haslet participate. They also had some live entertainment and autographs from the local and national celebrities.

Sunday was the half marathon at 7 am, again no lines or chaos, very smooth and easy! The only thing is I wish the 3 courses had a different route, or at least the half marathon. I know its easier logistics wise, but it would be nice to have another route, I did hear others say the same.

Overall, I loved this weekend. I highly recommend this race as they have something for everyone!

Vermont City Marathon takes place during Memorial Day weekend which makes for a great long weekend runcation. I have to say this was one of the best and most organized race I've participated in. It's a fast and scenic course with amazing friendly volunteers and neighborhoods. The course starts and finishes on Lake Champlain in Waterfront Park. Its the perfect place to carbo load and hydrate with amazing food and beer locations :) The race has multiple options: The full, a 2 person relay ( each runs half) and a 3-5 person relay.

Registration online was easy, and then I was added to the email list, which confirmed registration and sent updated emails on the new training program, and additional information.

The Race is very active on social media, and had weekly Facebook live broadcasts with question and answer segments and prizes. There was plenty of communication with emails and the opportunity to download an app on your phone to also stay updated.

I arrived Sat. morning and went to the Expo which as easy to find. The packet pick up was easy to park and get in and out quickly, as I wanted to walk around down by the water and grab lunch. I also checked out the start/finish area.

Sunday was also easy to park close to the start/finish with plenty of free parking. The start line was easy to access with plenty of port o johns, water, quick gear check, beautiful waterfront views and lots of enthusiasm, music, volunteers, and spectators. The corrals were labeled and organized with pacers, and chip timing. Last year the weather was unseasonably hot and humid, so this year they changed the start time to 7am, and hour earlier which was great.

The course flat, fast and beautiful! So many enthusiastic volunteers the whole 26.2 miles! There was so much support with water, fruit, freeze pops, pretzels, and my favorite mile 18 with Maple Syrup Shots :)
I had so much fun :) I seen some unexpected friends on the course and others yelling out my name as they were cheering the runners. The neighborhoods and aid stations were dressed up, playing music, had signs and more... You never got bored or lonely out there.

Finish area was so awesome! Live music, beer tent, delicious Pizza, salsa and chips, chocolate milk, pretzels, fruit, water, and more! The beautiful waterfront view and 70 degree temps were perfect. The race even extended the 6 hour time limit and stayed 6:30 due to runners still out on the course, which I thought was awesome.

I'm so happy I went to this race, as I love Vermont but usually spend more time on the trails. I have to say, I don't have 1 suggestion on how to make it any better! Before, during and post race was flawless, organized, fun, friendly and beautiful.

I highly recommend this race! :)