Rock and Roll Raleigh and myself have a love/dislike relationship. Raleigh is my home city so I know what to expect, but that doesn't neccessarily make this race any easier. I have been doing the race since it inception 4 years ago, so i will continue to run it. They made some slight alterations to the course this year but let's face it, Raleigh is very hilly. The course makes you on a nice tour around downtown Raleigh, passing museums, government buildings and through the campus of NC State. The first 5-6 miles, you get a taste of some medium sized hills, with the granddaddy of hills hitting you between mile 11-12. The final half mile is a downhill, which is a big change from previous years. I don't think anyone will complain about a downhill finish. I was able to keep my pace consistent, before I opened it up a little on the last mile. All around me i saw runner after runner being knocked down by the hills. Weather was low 60s, but you really never can tell what you will get in Raleigh for this race. The first year it was almost 80 degrees and last year it was in the low 30s at the start. I would recommend this race to anyone looking a a challenging half or full marathon. Sign up and hopefully i will see you in 2018.

Beautiful Beautiful Alexandria! This was my first year participating in the George Washington Parkway Classic, and I throughly enjoyed it. I typically enjoy attending expos for races, but unfortunately this race didn't have a real expo experience. Packet pick-up took place at the running store; however, they did have a few sales going on that runners could take advantage of. Race day saw shuttles waiting to take the runners to the starting spot. The race is a point to point, so the shuttles drove us 10 miles out and dropped us off. The starting area was well decked out with stations to refill your water bottles, muffins, bananas, coffee and even had a area that you could get heat sheets. The start of the race began at George Washington's house on MT Vernon. The start of the race was well organized, runners weren't allowed into the corrals until about 10 minutes from the start. Once you get started, the race takes you on a trip straight down along side the Potomac River. It's hard to get lost in this race, as it is pretty much a straight shot with no turns. What it lacks in turns, it more than made up for in HILLS. You endure the up and down of the hills for 8 miles before finishing up your last 2 miles in downtown Alexandria. A cool medal awaits your finish, along with countless goodies and a beer garden. Give the Parkway Classic a try.

Jingle Bell Run is an out and back 5k, that takes you past St. Mary's College as well as North Carolina State University. It takes place in December, so be prepared for the chilly weather. There were 2 water stations, not much more you can ask for in a 5k. The terrain is definitely not flat, so if that is what you are looking for, I would not look to PR here. The race benefits the Arthritis Foundation so it is definitely for a good cause and they have a couple different small races for kids to run. The race is not highly competitive and more of a fun family races, but you will always have those that will go for the gold. The beginning of the race is a slight downhill, so you know that means the finish is an uphill. In addition to the race, they also do costume contests for both the kids and adults. All in all, it is a nice small race that you can enjoy with your family.