Latest reviews by Jared

(2015)
"A bucket-list classic!"
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You'd think a race with 50,000+ people hosted in a town of 180,000 would be an absolute cluster, but you'd be wrong. I guess when you're Don Kardong and have been doing it for 39 years you've got the machine pretty well oiled. They've made a number of positive changes over the years to both the course and the logistics, all of which have made it a great experience and what I consider a must-do race for any runner.

The elite race draws some serious international talent and the color coded wave starts provide for a great race experience for those racing sub-hour or out for a 3+ hour stroll in a banana costume.

While Doomsday Hill (3/4 of a mile of 6+% grade at mile 5) gets all the publicity, this course has two other hills that will test your legs, lungs and guts. Just over a mile into the race after a steep drop down Riverside you have a short but steep incline up to Government Way. This is where you can encounter a lot of people that went out too fast and die on the first hill. A mile later after the first aid station you have cemetery hill, which is a nasty little double hill with a false summit. I think it's the toughest hill on the course and a great opportunity to pick some people off and gain some time.

The finish is a fun, fast downhill across the Monroe Street Bridge and provides for some cool finish line photos. The shirts are always pretty terrible and they just added a medal a few years ago, but it's a $12 extra charge. Considering the race only costs $18 it seems like a reasonable add-on.

Best part of Bloomsday is the community support. The entire course is lined with bands (better than Rock N Roll) and tens of thousands of fans cheering the whole time. A must-do race!

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(2015)
"Not much Rock N Roll, but still a fantastic race experience!"
Overall
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For a race touted for their on-course entertainment there was very little. 3 or 4 live garage bands and a handful of DJs don't cut it, but that is the only negative thing I can come up with about the race.

The expo is a breeze and very well done, but hold onto your wallet! Race morning is efficient, easy to navigate and the lines move along really well.

The course is the highlight of this race for sure. Touring some of the great neighborhoods of Portland it's nice to see a race venture over to the East side. A few hills, some areas where you can really fly and a fun, varied terrain course makes this one a must-do.

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(2015)
"Say goodbye to your knees!"
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For as large as Shamrock is the event was really well run. It has a great party atmosphere and everyone seems to be having a great time. The community really gets out and supports the race and other runners were cheering and encouraging each other as you made your way up the long (but not as bad as everyone says) Terwilliger Hill. The final 5k is pretty much all downhill, but not a gradual downhill where you can open it up and let it fly. Overall a fun race, but for me the steep, uncomfortable downhill finish probably means I'll be doing the 8k from now on.

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