Latest reviews by Lauren

(2015)
"Broad Street Run Virgin!"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

Check out my blog at http://www.breathedeeplyandsmile.com for more running fun!

I am originally from the Philly area and got into running after I moved away so I was really excited to be able to run Broad Street for the first time this year. The expo was a decent size and efficient. I didn't get the tech tee but ended up buying a tech shirt vintage design from Modells on sale while I was at the expo. I parked at the Stadium Complex at the start since it's a point-to-point race and took the Septa train all the way to the start at the beginning of the line. The trains got packed, and it seemed that people in the middle of the line at stops couldn't get on. I was pissed that I wasn't even close to getting into my corral because it was too crowded. I thought it wouldn't be so bad since I was in the Orange corral which wasn't too far back. Once the race started and my corral went I was able to get in pretty smoothly. I loved the spectators, especially in the middle of the race. It was a warm day so I really appreciated the consistent water stops with plenty of enthusiastic volunteers. I was out there just to have fun and really loved the energy and atmosphere of the race. Most races in Philly start on the Ben Franklin Pkwy and go through Fairmount Park so it was really awesome to get to run down an area that you usually don't get to! It literally is 10 straight, flat miles down Broad Street so there were points later in the race that I was getting bored from running so straight. I loved the finish at the last mile by the Navy Yard and going through that chute with spectators all around. I wish we got the medals sooner after finishing because it was a little confusing. There was a nice finish area, but I was really upset my boyfriend wasn't allowed in because he had a bag. I thought they would just check his bag and let him in, but he was refused. I love when I get refreshments in a bag after a race and especially LOVE philly soft pretzels as my post-race carbs. I didn't stick around the finish area so I could meet up with my boyfriend outside of it. We walked back to the Stadium area which wasn't far. Overall I thought it was a well-organized, fun, high-energy race and would definitely do it again. It's something ever Philly-area runner should do at least once!

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(2014)
"Will run for beer! "
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

Check out my race recap on my blog here : http://www.breathedeeplyandsmile.com/2015/02/dogfish-dash-2014-race-recap.html

I had been really wanting to visit Dogfish Head Craft Beer Brewery because my boyfriend are huge fans of their beers so I stumbled upon this race on the day of registration and immediately signed us up before it sold out that day (it was capped at 2000 runners only). The brewery is in Milton DE which is about 25 minutes away from Rehobeth Beach (where they have their brewpub). The packet pickup (not an expo just a small tent) was at their brewpub which was really crowded, but we managed to get a seat at the bar to grab some food and beers after grabbing our race bags. Area hotels were already booked so we ended up camping for the night not too far away. Cheap and efficient! We got to the race start early and parked right at the brewery. Most people don't take the run too seriously, especially with the recyclable costume contest for the race.

It was a pretty warm race and the course was just through the small town of Milton with some of it's townspeople spectating. The race was self-seeding so it was hard to get up to the front. Not too much to see, especially after the 5K split off from the 10K and the 10k runners and I just ran around a bunch of fields.

After finishing, theinitial line for the first beer was longer than I had hoped it would be. I think they still need to figure out a better system to get cold beers poured and handed out fast to runners as they finish. It probably would have been better if I raced the 5K and beaten the crowds!

After that unexpectedly warm race a cold 60 Minute IPA was exactly what I wanted to have handed to me. You received your initial beer in a stainless steel pint glass that you could then take to get refilled by using your three other free beer tickets. They had only a couple beer stations set up with the tents, which also got really crowded after the race. I loved the post-race food-it was a breakfast buffet of yogurt, granola, fruit, and bagels. I even got to snag a photo with the owner of Dogfish, Sam Calagione, after the race-he was super nice! After walking around the brewery store, seeing the big Treehouse out front, and having some beers we headed back.

Besides the long lines to get beer after the race, it was definitely a fun weekend trip and experience. It's absolutely a beer-lover's racing dream.

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(2013)
"Cherry Blossom 10 Miler-2nd time around! "
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

Check out my full race recap on my blog here->http://www.breathedeeplyandsmile.com/2013/04/cherry-blossom-10-miler-recap.html

This was my second year in a row running the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler so I was familiar with the setup and race organization. I headed to the expo later on Saturday and kind of got in and got out. I love how gorgeous the National Building Museum is! Packet pick up was yet again organized,smooth, and not super crowded.

Race day, I got to the race with 10 minutes to spare so there isn't much to say about beforehand. The port a potty lines looked long though! I do love starting by the Washington Monument as a backdrop. The metro also makes it easy to get to.
This year I wanted to push myself a bit so I ended up following the 7:30 pace group. The pacer was super friendly and there was a group of about 4 of us girls who stuck close to the pacer the whole race.
I like the DC scenery for the most part but hate that long, straight stretch on the water towards the end of the race. The course has lots of spectators and runners which is awesome. I bought a medal because it was so pretty last year, although I do wish you got one included with your race fee. The tech tee is nice if you upgrade to it.

I finished strong ahead of the pacer and got a new 10 miler PR!

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