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Latest reviews by Bradley
Bradley recommends this race
(2017)
"West Van Run Weekend - 5k"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
You can read my full race report on the 5k AND 10k race weekend here: http://bradleyontherun.com/2017/03/05/west-van-run-weekend-2017/
Quick Recap – West Van Run Weekend - 5K
Social Media: West Van Run is top-notch in terms of social media. I strongly recommend connecting with them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Race communications via email are regular and informative.
Packet Pickup: Friday was the only day for packet pickup for the 5k at Park Royal. Debra kindly picked up bibs for a whole bunch of people – otherwise, it would have been extremely difficult for me to get to West Vancouver ahead of time. They generally discourage day-of pickup, although I believe it was still allowed. Maybe a Thursday evening option would help, too?
T-Shirt/Swag: I am already well kitted with West Van Run swag, but no t-shirts accompanied this race. Medals (and bottles of bubbly!) were awarded to the winners only. However, everyone gets an awesome and handy West Van Run water bottle. Also – although I wasn’t able to attend – free beer at Village Taphouse at the Sunday night after party!
Course: I really liked the new course as it wended its way through the streets of West Vancouver, and finished along the seawall. There are a few small hills at the start, but the course is essentially flat.
Post-Race: Awesome bags full of yummy goodies, and lots of vendors set up by the finish line. The biggest areas for improvement: 1) distribution of goodie bags…everyone had to line up at the door of the Beach House to be handed their bag. Tables outside might work better. 2) Gear check pickup – something went logistically awry. A better procedure is needed here.
Would I Run It Again? Without question! Got another 5k PB - second year in a row!
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Bradley recommends this race
(2017)
"West Van Run Weekend - 10K"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
You can read my full race report on the 5k AND 10k race weekend here: http://bradleyontherun.com/2017/03/05/west-van-run-weekend-2017/
Quick Recap – West Van Run Weekend
Social Media: West Van Run is top-notch in terms of social media. I strongly recommend connecting with them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Race communications via email are regular and informative. Despite race-perfect weather on Saturday, snow on Sunday caused traffic disruption and worries about the race - however, all social media channels kept us informed that the race would go on!
Packet Pickup: 10k packet pickup was available both Friday and Saturday at Park Royal. They generally discourage day-of pickup, although I believe it was still allowed. Maybe a Thursday evening option would help, too?
T-Shirt/Swag: I am already well kitted with West Van Run swag, but no t-shirts accompanied this race. Medals (and bottles of bubbly!) were awarded to the winners only. However, everyone gets an awesome and handy West Van Run water bottle. Also – although I wasn’t able to attend – free beer at Village Taphouse at the Sunday night after party!
Course: I really liked the new course as it wended its way through the streets of West Vancouver, and finished along the seawall. There are a few small hills at the start, but the course is essentially flat. Local residents, however, seemed remarkably unhappy (particularly on Sunday – when, apparently, at least one volunteer was pushed out of the way by an angry resident, who then proceeded to drive through a barrier). I wonder if more consultation with the community is required?
Post-Race: Awesome bags full of yummy goodies, and lots of vendors set up by the finish line. The biggest areas for improvement: 1) distribution of goodie bags…everyone had to line up at the door of the Beach House to be handed their bag. Tables outside might work better. 2) Gear check pickup – something went logistically awry on Saturday, but was improved by Sunday after the 10k.
Would I Run It Again? Without question! Maybe next time I’ll take it easy during the 5k, and try to beat my course PB during the 10k! Really enjoyed this year's superhero theme - wonder what's in store for 2018?!
Bradley recommends this race
(2017)
"Kumagaya Sakura Marathon - running in Japan without cherry blossoms!"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
For the full race recap, including lots of pictures, visit my blog: http://bradleyontherun.com/2017/04/01/kumagaya-sakura-marathon-2017/ - because the race website is entirely in Japanese, reading the report would provide some great context!
Quick Recap – Kumagaya Sakura Marathon
Social Media: If there was one thing I truly missed in this race, it was social media. The Kumagaya Sakura Marathon has no Facebook page, no Twitter, no Instagram…just a website. So although I hashtagged furiously in both Japanese and English, the race organizers will never know…
Packet Delivery: That’s right – as long as you have a Japanese address (and this is your only option), your bib gets delivered to your door!
T-Shirt/Swag: The t-shirt is a fun hot pink-on-black deal – but that was the only item we received. That, of course, and our finisher certificate!
Course: Winding through city streets, by the river, along the railway tracks, and among the fields – this is a fast, flat course. The winds buffeting us in the final 5k, however, made things a bit challenging…
Post-Race: The food options were a bit limited, especially for a vegetarian like me. We went out for lunch!
Would I Run It Again? If I lived in the Tokyo area, I might give this race another try. It was run and well-organized, and I imagine if the cherry blossoms had been blooming, it would have been absolutely beautiful. However, if I travelled all the way back to Japan for a race, I’d probably try a different one next time!
Bradley recommends this race
(2016)
"Big Elf Run – What’s this White Stuff?"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
The snowiest road race I've ever run - and one of the few I've ever run in costume. A great experience, and something every aspiring elf should try!
For the full Elf Report, visit my blog at http://bradleyontherun.com/2016/12/20/big-elf-run/
Quick Recap – The Big Elf Run
Social Media: Fabulous! Both the Twitter feed and Facebook page were very active in the weeks leading up to the race. I highly recommend following both – great information, as well as the chance to win PRIZES!
Package Pickup: There was package pickup available on Saturday, but we elected to simply do so pre-race on Sunday. It was quick and efficient, a simple table setup.
T-Shirt/Swag: An elf toque! What more could you ask for from an Elf Run?
Course: There were 2 race options – the single loop 5k or double loop 10k. The course was relatively flat, mostly on the Stanley Park Seawall, with about one slightly hilly kilometre through the park. On a regular Vancouver day (i.e. no snow), it would be a relatively easy course. There was also a 1 kilometre kids run before the main race.
Post-Race: Because of the weather and the cold, people cleared out pretty quickly after the event. We grabbed some hot tea from the David’s Tea booth, but otherwise festivities were pretty limited. I suspect on things would have been a bit livelier on a less stormy afternoon.
Organization: I was thoroughly impressed with the enthusiasm of the race director, and the management of the event despite the challenging climate. The race has been named as one of Amex’s Top 14 Worldwide Seasonal Events with a Twist – and it’s a well-deserved title!
Would I run it again? I’ve got the hat, the sweater and the booties – count me in!
Bradley recommends this race
(2016)
"2nd Year of the Great Climate Race = Great!"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
For the full race report, visit my blog:
http://bradleyontherun.com/2016/11/20/great-climate-race-2016/
Quick Review – The Great Climate Race
Social Media: The Great Climate Race organizers are pretty savvy and active on social media. You can find them on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Certainly no shortage of information to get us ready for the big day!
Package Pickup: Since Debra kindly picked up my race package, I didn’t experience it – but it was held at Patagonia on 4th Avenue.
T-Shirt/Swag: No t-shirt for this race, but we received a very cool hand-crafted wooden medal at the finish line. Very nice to add to the collection!
Course: Stanley Park Seawall, counter-clockwise, beginning and ending at Ceperley Park. Flat and – arguably – fast, although I never seem to be able to swing a PB on this route!
Post-Race: Whatever they had, I missed it! For sure, there was a water-filling station, and assuredly some food – I just don’t know what kind.
Organization: Other than the fact that the 2.5k race ‘took longer’ than last year, resulting in a later start by about 10 minutes, things went off pretty smoothly. No complaints.
Would I run it again? Depending on how many Seawall races I end up doing in 2017, I would probably give the Great Climate Race another go. I’ll get faster eventually, right?