The NYC Half was tough, but such a great experience. Surprisingly, I had a harder time on the flat section along the West Side Highway than the hills through Central Park, but the finish through the tunnel and then out to the last stretch at the end was energizing. To think that we ran through the streets of New York City is just amazing!

We took the train to NYC the day before and went straight to the expo. Packet pick-up was easy, and they encouraged you to try on a race shirt before settling on a size -- good thing because at least the women's shirts ran small. There was a New Balance shop where you could buy different styles of race gear, photo opportunities, and a huge map of the race course with volunteers answering questions.

I stayed at a hotel near Central Park, so the morning logistics were easy. I grabbed a coffee at Starbucks and headed through security shortly after it opened. It was cold before we started, but I could tell it was going to be a great day for racing -- low/mid 30s and blue skies!

The race started a few minutes late due to cuing with the local television station, but otherwise went off smoothly. The course starts in Central park, and then exits the park at the north end for a few out-and-back segments in Harlem where things got crowded. Once back in the park we had to face the big hill, and then a few more rolling hills until we were out of the park heading to and through Times Square -- which is just as amazing as they say it is!

From there, we turned on 42nd St to head to the West Side Highway, where it was a straight and flat shot almost to the finish. We could see the World Trade Center almost the whole way, and it was a great, inspiring landmark.

At about mile 12, we entered the tunnel for a fast downhill following by a cruel climb out, but then we were just a few hundred meters from the finish. The crowd support was terrific as we crossed the finish line.

Runners have to walk a long way to exit - picking up a heat sheet, finisher medal and snack box along the way. Since the weather was fantastic, we didn't mind the walk -- plus once again we had a great view of the World Trade Center.

All in all, the race was extremely well run. I had several questions that were answered by email right away, and everyone at the expo and the race was super nice!

Full disclosure - I have been involved with the blog for this race for the past few years, but this is my personal review of this race!

I will start at the beginning - Registration is by lottery, which usually takes place the December before the race. BUT if you volunteer you earn a lottery exemption for the next year. You can even volunteer and still race if you sign up for a Friday or Saturday volunteer slot, and then you will be all set for the next year.

The expo for this race is usually at the National Building Museum. There are usually a ton of vendors, expert/athlete clinics and even a "happy hour" on Friday evening.

The race starts and ends on the grounds of the Washington Monument so it's pretty easy to get to by Metro, driving (if you are willing to park a few blocks away) or bike -- they offer free bike parking as part of their efforts to be "green".

The course really is mostly flat (many races say that, but it's true for this one!) -- over Memorial Bridge and back, out to the Kennedy Center and back, over towards the Washington Monument again and then around Hains Point and back to the finish line by the Washington Monument. The crowd support is sparse along Hains Point but HUGE at mile 5 and along the last mile.

Although the race usually is held during the National Cherry Blossom festival, whether the trees will be in bloom is anyone's guess. Last year (2015) they were in full bloom for race weekend, but this year (2016) they had come and gone even before the wind that led to race-day modifications.

About that wind. I think it was Friday when the race organizers first alerted us to possible weather issues -- by email and on their Facebook page. By Saturday they had canceled the kids fun run and down-sized the festivities by cancelling the pre-race warm-up, eliminating the start/finish banner, eliminating the mile split clocks (but they had volunteers posted at each mile), and basically eliminating anything elevated - stages, tents (except the medical tent), speakers, signs, etc. This was all done for safety in conjunction with the National Park Service, and was communicated in advance.

Winds were so bad overnight many runners expected (hoped?) the race would be canceled, but there was an early morning e-mail confirming that the race was on! It was REALLY windy around the Washington Monument, but as the sun came up it turned into a glorious day! While we could feel the wind on Memorial Bridge and the last mile of Hains Point, it really wasn't bad. It was hard pushing to the finish line with a finish line banner to set my sights on, but I could tell by the crowds where the finish was. They handed out space blankets and water right in the finish area, and then I made my way to get a banana and a bagel, picked up my medal, and headed home.

There are so many things that make this race great, but my favorite moment is lining up to race on the grounds of the Washington Monument and listening to the National Anthem before heading out to run with thousands of other enthusiastic runners.

The Reston 10 Miler is put on by Potomac River Running, a local running store group. It is a very low-key race with a community vibe but it is very well-run (no pun intended).
The race logistics couldn't be easier -- it starts and ends at a high school, there is ample parking in the school parking lots, you can do race-day bib pick-up, and there is usually access to the high school bathrooms. :-)
The start is very low-key. Most people stay inside until 15 minutes before the start time, and then head out to the road. There are no corrals, but people usually line up pretty nicely. When there's a few minutes to the race director gives a warning, and then he starts us off.
The course loops around through pretty neighborhoods with lots and lots of rolling hills. None of the hills are terribly steep or terribly long, but they keep coming!
The race benefits the high school track team, so usually there are lots of students out along the course, directing and cheering on runners. Other than that there's not a lot of crowd support, but the scenery is nice enough to keep me going.
The race finishes through the school parking lot and onto the track. It's an awkward way to finish - weaving around parked cars, across a sidewalk and onto the track - but once you are on the track it is pretty cool to push to the finish line, and then finish a "lap" to cool down.
Post-race, there is plenty of water, bananas and bagels.

My full recap for the 2016 race is here: http://got2run4me.com/2016/03/06/hilly-pr-reston-10-miler-race-recap/