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Latest reviews by Bradley
Bradley recommends this race
(2015)
"The Inaugural Great Climate Race"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
You'll get the complete experience if you visit my blog post (with photos!):
http://bradleyontherun.com/2015/11/09/the-great-climate-race/
RACE REPORT
Packet Pickup
Not much to report – quick and straight-forward. Dropped by Patagonia, got my bib, and I was on my way. If it hadn’t been for my wet feet (thanks to a run in the rain just before), I might have hung around a bit. But I didn’t.
T-Shirt/Swag
In keeping with the sustainability theme of the race, no t-shirt (though they did have some fun trucker caps for sale!). The ‘medal’ was a cute leaf on a string.
Course
Counter-clockwise on the Stanley Park seawall. Almost entirely flat. Scenic – with views of the ocean, the park, the North Shore mountains…everything you’d want from an environment-themed run in Vancouver! One aid station without paper cups – you had to bring your own water bottle!
Post-Race
Climate bear was there to welcome us to the finish line! Apples, bananas, CLIF Bars and (as long as you had your own water bottle, or bought one on site) water. Friends and fun!
Would I Run It Again?
Yes! I was glad to be part of the inaugural Great Climate Race, and I look forward to seeing how things progress in the coming years.
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Bradley recommends this race
(2015)
"Rock'n the RnRVan Remix Weekend!"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
This was a tough run for me. You can read my complete review on my blog - see the photos! See the medals!
http://bradleyontherun.com/2015/11/04/rock-n-roll-vancouver-half-marathon/
RACE REPORT
T-Shirt/Swag
I heard a few complaints about the gunmetal grey of the Brooks tech shirt, but I kind of like it. It contrasts nicely with the sunset-esque logo depicting the statue of Harry Jerome, an accomplished Canadian track star, an icon of the Stanley Park Seawall. The medal is fantastic – a First Nations-inspired orca design, leaping out of the water.
For running both the 10K and the half, I also got the Remix Medal – square, with a spinny guitar pick in the middle. As good as it gets!
Course
From what I can tell, identical to last year. A tour of Gastown and some of East Van, Chinatown, and then hooking up with the Seawall east of Yaletown, eventually moving up to the street to Stanley Park. The toughest bit is the hill at 16km past the Stanley Park Rose Garden – before the final cruise around Brockton Point. The biggest difference compared to the 10K is that we were on the road, rather than the Seawall, for the Stanley Park portion of the course – right up until the last kilometre or so. I think this race is great because you see so much of the city – although it’s not quite as ‘scenic’ as the 10K. And with a few more bits of elevation, particularly near the end, it’s definitely more challenging.
Post-Race
The organizers/volunteers really kept people moving at the end – whereas the day before we had hung around in the finishing chute to greet people as they arrived. And due to the geography around the finish line, it was impossible to get back to the actual finish line, so I lingered outside the fence where medals were being handed out. As with the day before, there was a beer tent – and more live music. Although I didn’t stick around for beer, I’m sure it was another good part!
Would I Run It Again?
I’ve done it twice now. Again, it’s a solid race, and I think it would appeal greatly to folks from out of town. Not a ‘no’ for me, but not a definitive ‘yes’. Yet. We’ll see. Enough people I know running…I might do it again!
Bradley recommends this race
(2015)
"Most Scenic Race Ever!"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
For my full review - with beautiful, scenic views - visit my blog:
http://bradleyontherun.com/2015/10/18/goodlife-fitness-victoria-half-marathon/
Packet Pickup
Except for the fact that we didn’t get bib numbers ahead of time and had to squint at a list of names in tiny font on a wall to get it…the rest was smooth. The expo was small, and a bit crowded – it didn’t flow really well. At one spot, there were two sponsors right across from each other giving out samples (and not a lot of booths were doing so), resulting in a traffic jam. Because I was with non-running family, we didn’t stay too long.
T-Shirt/Swag
A long-sleeved New Balance technical shirt in two-tone blue – love it! The medal is big and chunky – also love it! Reminds me a bit of the Scotiabank series of medals, perhaps from the same manufacturer?
Course
The course starts at the Legislature, loops through downtown, meanders around Beacon Hill Park, and then does an out and back along the ocean and among residential neighbourhoods. I have to say that this is probably one of the most beautiful races I’ve ever done. Honestly, it was scenic pretty much the whole way. There were plenty of aid stations, enthusiastic volunteers, and positive energy from start to finish. There is a fairly challenging hill at the 12km mark – not especially steep, but fairly long – however, you can make up for it on the way back!
Post-Race
We didn’t stay for too long, since family was waiting – came through the finishing chute, got my medal and a photo, and grabbed a bit of food. Not sure what all they had, it was a bit of a blur, but definitely had cookies and fruit!
Would I Run It Again?
Absolutely! As noted, it is one of the more beautiful courses I’ve been on. Well-organized and worth the trip to the Island! Maybe I’ll give the full marathon a go someday?
Bradley recommends this race
(2015)
"45th Anniversary Cunningham Seawall 10K"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
For the full race report, with photos (and at least one revealing costume), visit my blog:
http://bradleyontherun.com/2015/10/31/rock-n-roll-vancouver-cunningham-seawall-10k/
RACE REPORT
Packet Pickup
Last year’s packet pickup was so smooth that I expected it to be the same again. It wasn’t. I mean – it was OK – but the layout was poor and it ended up being really congested in the bib pickup area. Plus, many of those running in both races – the 10K and the half – had to line up twice (unless they had seeded themselves in the same corral for both). The expo was fine, nothing especially exciting, but probably held interest to out-of-towners because a lot of local brands and race reps were there.
T-Shirt/Swag
The 10K shirt is a Brooks tech T in dark blue, with a stylized design representing the Seawall. I got an XS which is arguably a bit too small, but I couldn’t be bothered to exchange it (which had to be done on race day). The medal is a giant, chunky 10K – pretty impressive really. Kind of love it.
Course
What can I say? The Seawall is the Seawall and it’s always awesome – and in this case clockwise. Starting at English Bay and ending in Coal Harbour, the route is flat, scenic and worth a visit to Vancouver. Seriously. I would have preferred a bit more course entertainment – there was just one band plus a dynamic Elvis impersonator – but I understand that there’s not a tonne of space along the Seawall. The volunteers were enthusiastic and supportive, and there were plenty of aid stations if you needed them.
Post-Race
Medals? Check! Bag pickup? Quick and efficient! Beer garden? Honestly, 10:30am is too early for beer, and it was windy and a bit chilly, but I couldn’t turn down a free beer. We huddled together and made the best of it.
Would I Run It Again?
I’m on the fence. I have no specific complaint about the race itself, but there are several (smaller) Seawall races in Vancouver. And I’m not sure if I buy into the whole Rock ‘n’ Roll series hype. But, I would definitely recommend this race as a destination run because it really does tick all of the boxes – pretty well-organized, amazing scenery, great swag…and all of it here in Vancouver!
Bradley recommends this race
(2015)
"VanRace 15k/30k: Conquer the Wall"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
For my full race report (with photos!), visit:
http://bradleyontherun.com/2015/09/07/vanrace-15k-race-report/
Overall
Hard to believe that this was an inaugural race! Very well organized, excellent social media presence, scenic course, quick results – nothing bad that I can think of!
Packet Pickup/Expo
Packet pickup was held on Friday night and Saturday afternoon at the Running Room. Quick and friendly, with some of the excellent volunteers on hand. No expo for this race.
T-Shirt/Swag
The VanRace t-shirt was really nice, but had to be purchased separate from registration. I do not need more t-shirts, so I didn’t get one. We did, however, get jelly beans in our swag bag!
Lovely, unique medal – a little small, but honestly that’s just an observation, not a complaint!
Course
The 15k route was an out-and-back along the Seawall. From Charleston Park (not too far from Granville Island), it loops around False Creek, past Science World and Yaletown, under Granville and Burrard Bridges, as far as English Bay. Then we head back the way we came! The Seawall is one of the jewels of Vancouver, and this early on a Sunday it wasn’t too packed with local dog walkers! Flat and fast!
Aid Stations
There were several aid stations with very enthusiastic volunteers. They had Northstar and water. I partook of just two. But I knew I had the support if I needed it!
Post-Race
Good selection of food – water, oranges, bananas, yoghurt, granola bars, baked good/sweets, Terra Bread, and Starbucks coffee! I stayed for the awards ceremonies for both 15 and 30K, but didn’t win anything.
Race Management
As mentioned above, it’s hard to believe this was the first year of the VanRace. They did a bang-up job. Nice and small, well organized, friendly, good communication – and FUN! Maybe I’ll tackle the 30k next year?