I ran the 5k in both 2013 & 2014 and I'm so sad to miss 2015 as they are adding a 10k distance and dropping the half.

If you run and you're a bills fan, you MUST run this race!

Registration: The earlier you register, the cheaper the race is!

Parking: Tons of parking in the stadium lots.

Swag: They give out a red dry fit t-shirt with the logo on the front and all the sponsors listed on the back, an upgrade from the previous year when they were all cotton.

Bathrooms: Before the race you can hangout in the field house and use the bathrooms but once you head out to the start line, porta potties are scarce. After the race you have access to the bathrooms inside the stadium after the race.

Course: The 5k course was one big loop on the roads surrounding the stadium. Pretty boring. Mostly flat with some rolling hills. The last half mile totally made up for the rest of the course as you come around the turn to see the stadium, run through the parking lot, down the tunnel, and onto the field!

Awards: They give out medals to top 3 in every age group. They are nice medals too! Anything for my bills!

Food: All you need to know is Tim Hortons & Bud Light. At 8am we were enjoying a free beer and bagels/donuts from the sponsors. I was so happy when I found out Tim Hortons was a sponsor!

Other: Loved the 7am start time on a HOT & HUMID Buffalo morning in June! In 2014 the scoreboards were down for stadium renovation but I hear they are back. Pretty cool seeing yourself on the jumbotron as you are crossing the finish line! I was a little disappointed there weren't any players there but the race is held on an off weekend between OTAs and training camp. Billy the Buffalo was around after the race for pictures... and I also recommend taking "jump pictures" in the end zone!

You can read my 2014 Fifty Yard Finish Race Recap on my personal blog Run Jen Run:
http://www.jenrunsfastblog.com/2014/06/race-report-50-yard-finish-2014.html

#BillsMafia

The Piggy Trot is one of my favorite races every year! 2014 was the 5th Annual, a 3.7 mile race through Osterville, MA that starts and finishes at Dowses Beach. The race is put on by the Glenna Kohl Fund for Hope. Glenna (nicknamed “Piggy”) was a Town of Barnstable lifeguard who passed away from Melanoma at a very young age and her charity raises money and awareness in honor of Glenna. One of their missions is to support and protect Cape Cod lifeguards by supplying sunscreen and putting up shades canopies on lifeguard stands. Well-organized, friendly volunteers, beautiful course, great race day atmosphere. You can tell that Glenna was a very special girl.

Course: The course is an odd distance: 3.7 miles. With the race in May, it is usually my first of the year so my expectations of my performance are low. The 3.7 miles is great because I can only compare it to where I was at in previous years. The course is one big loop that starts at finishes at the beach, is fairly flat and runs through the streets of Osterville featuring gorgeous homes and a beautiful golf course.

Swag: For a 30 dollar entry fee, you get some pretty sweet swag. The first 200 registrants (usually about 300-400 runners attend) receive a t-shirt. Everyone gets a goodie bag with includes a full size bottle of sunscreen. It's great--I keep it in my running bag so I never forget to use it before I head out the door for a run!

Food: Post race refreshments are average. Water, coconut water, bananas, granola bars, potato chips--pretty standard. Nothing special.

Awards: The race gives out medals to the top 3 in all age groups. Top 3 overall get a pig trophy--the coolest trophy I've ever won! They also give out cash prizes for the Top 3 overall which is a nice bonus!

Parking: Parking can be a pain if you don't arrive early. I am always obnoxiously early to races so I have never had this problem. The beach parking lot is small so they encourage runners to park at a school and wait for the race transportation bus to bring you to the start.

Raffle: The Glenna Kohl Fund for Hope always has great raffle items after the race. From massages to gift certificates to to Patriots tickets to Cape Cod gift baskets, all are high quality items.

You can read my 2014 Piggy Trot Race Recap on my personal blog Run Jen Run:
http://www.jenrunsfastblog.com/2014/05/race-report-piggy-trot-2014.html

I don't usually run races in December but this was a last minute decision that turned into a really fun run. The race was sponsored by the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce and the Falmouth Road Race was also somehow involved. All registrants received a nice, heavy long sleeve cotton t-shirt. I registered late so mine is huge. Festive gear was encouraged which made for great entertainment. I finally had somewhere to wear my Christmas compression socks!

The race started and finished in front of the Flying Bridge restaurant on the Falmouth Harbor. The course followed the last mile and a half of the Falmouth Road Race course (up the famous big hill at the heights) and continued past the finish line before taking a left and looping back around to the harbor. The weather was cold and a bit windy--it was December on Cape Cod! Brr!

Overall, fun day. I ran well. I believe I was 3rd female. They gave prizes to the Top 3 overall but I didn't stick around so I don't know what the prizes were! I was too busy enjoying the post-race Dunkin Donuts hot chocolate and New England chowder!

You can read my 2013 Jingle Jog Race Recap on my personal blog Run Jen Run:
http://www.jenrunsfastblog.com/2013/12/race-report-jingle-jog-5k.html