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Latest reviews by Courtney
Courtney recommends this race
(2017)
"Great small-town race!"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
Ran the inaugural event in 2017, and was pleasantly surprised by how well-organized it was! I did not attend packet pick-up on Friday evening, so had to pick up my bib on Saturday morning (I LOVE when races offer race-day packet pick-up). The volunteers were friendly and helpful, there was plenty of parking (and runners were supplied a map of parking lots ahead of time). Lots of porta-potties as well as public restrooms (I believe I even spotted showers that were aimed at boaters- but how perfect for a run!). The course was largely along the water and very scenic, although the middle of the race was on non-scenic roads and there was some vehicle traffic. Volunteers at the water stops were very friendly, although water was served in plastic cups which I find harder to drink out of while running, but seriously I think that is the only thing I can think of to complain about! Got a text with my results very quickly, cold Gatorade at the finish line, what more can you ask for? Also a nice finisher medal. I felt like I got a good value for my (low!) registration fee. This would be a PERFECT training race for someone with a larger spring half on their race list. Well done!
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Courtney recommends this race
(2016)
""Naut" Your Average Half Marathon"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
This was my first year running the Harbor Lights Half Marathon, although I have run many J&A racing events before, and I must say it is far from my favorite- read on for my reasons why.
The Expo was hugely disappointing. Not only did I think it closed too early on Friday evening (I only live an hour away but with traffic got there just in time to pick up my bib), but it did not have the quantity or quality of vendors that I have come to expect from J&A. There was a large race-gear store to buy Harbor-Lights themed merchandise, and two small gear vendors, but other than that it was mostly empty booths with signs that a bank or doctor should be there. Parking for the Expo was also not very convenient, but this does come with the territory for a "downtown" race.
The weather on race day was cold and rainy, but there were multiple tall buildings near the start to offer cover to keep us dry until we were called into our corral. But once we got into the corrals, we stood in the cold rain for at least 10-15 minutes. There were a few announcements about road conditions holding us up, and it's highly possible that whatever it was about was beyond J&A's control, but it made for a cold, stiff, slow start.
I'm trying not to let how miserable I felt because of the conditions cloud my judgement of this race, but the course was nothing special in terms of scenery. We did run through some nice neighborhoods where locals were out in droves despite the weather. There were lots of DJs along the way who were so wonderfully upbeat and encouraging despite how cold I'm sure they were, too! Aid stations were frequent and well-stocked, and there were even mini-pies! I can't eat that type of thing during a race but I liked the idea of it. (Maybe save some for the after-party? Just a suggestion.)
I am a mid-to-back-of-the-packer (probably more back-of-the-pack for this particular race because I think a lot of people DNS this race due to the forecast), and despite the fact that they had been out there a looong time, all the course officials, police officers, and volunteers were wonderfully upbeat! Great energy along the course.
There were some reverse hills as we ran under overpasses, and one good-sized bridge towards the end of the course, which was otherwise flat.
There was no main tent at the the finish line, so although there was delicious stew and free beer, I did not stick around that long since there was nowhere to get warmed up (and nowhere I could see to change into dry gear). For swag we got a nice finisher medal, a short-sleeve technical shirt (which has become one of my favorites), and a hat. I have more J&A running hats than I know what to do with! Wish they would switch this one up. But they do offer free finisher photos, which were plentiful and well-taken (the fact that I look like a drowned rat in each one of them is hardly their fault ha ha).
I'm excited to see this event grow in the coming years, I was probably wrong to assume that since it is a newer race that it would automatically be as awesome as J&A's more established events. But as always with J&A it was extremely well-organized!
Courtney recommends this race
(2016)
"A small race with big heart! "
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
This was my first time running the Flying Pirate although it had been on my list for quite some time.
I did not attend the race expo as I had heard (from other BibRave reviewers!) that it was small and I have been to quite a few expos lately, so I had a friend pick up my packet (I do so appreciate that this option is offered!). The race website provided clear instructions to provide a copy of my driver's license and a letter granting her permission to pick up my bib, and she reported no difficulties in picking up my packet on my behalf.
This is an out-and-back course, and runners can choose to park at the start or finish with shuttles provided either way. I thought the shuttle transportation (by schoolbus) was wonderful! I chose to park at the start (at a very spacious shopping center parking lot), and although the starting line was probably only half a mile away, it was nice to hop on the shuttle and not have to worry about how to get there. There were plenty of port-a-potties available at the start (we all know how important this is!). There was a DJ playing music and making announcements (I do wish he had made just a few more announcements about how long there was to the start, as I completely lost track of time although that's my own fault). The race started on time and the corrals were clearly marked (although not enforced, but it's not a crowded race at the start so that's not too much of a problem).
While this race may only have about a thousand or so runners, you will feel as much excitement from the crowds as if you were running in a big city race! The course is a bit different from what you might expect on the Outer Banks- there are beautiful stretches along the sound and you run around the Wright Brothers Memorial- but you never actually see the ocean during this race. But the scenery is still beautiful, and the crowds are so excited and supportive... until you enter the woods at the end of the course and all falls silent. The terrain on the trails is manageable but I have to say as a first time Flying Pirate runner I underestimated the hills! The race website said there was "one point of course elevation" but there were actually multiple hills during the last several miles. The trails on these hills were narrow and it was difficult to pass other runners who needed to walk on the steep hills. I will say it was VERY exhilarating to run that steep downhill to the finish, although my legs were so weak by that point I was nervous I was going to fall since the footing was very sandy.
This is a great race, but if you are looking for a PR you are probably not going to get it here due to the hills and narrowness of the course. I am a middle-to-back-of-the-pack runner so I don't pass very many people generally, but found it hard to do so as the course was so narrow at the end. I also would have loved some more aid stations- it was a very warm day and I regretted not carrying my own water. I think the race would also benefit from having more course officials on the trails- a fellow runner stumbled on a root and took a nasty fall and although he turned out to be just fine, there were no officials in sight to assist.
I don't care very much about race swag, but I have to say the medal for this race is pretty awesome! (See picture below) We also received short sleeve technical shirts, running hats, and an ID/card holder to stick on the back of your phone. I actually appreciated this small piece of useful swag, partially just because it was something new and different I've never received at a race before!
I also appreciated that they had a results tent set up at the finish where they would print off your time for you. I tend to get more than a little absent-minded after a race, and don't run with my phone, so it was nice to have the piece of paper to refer back to.
I was pretty disappointed by my race photos, however. Some of the photos were taken at an aid station so not only am I drinking water in my picture but the whole shot is full of discarded cups. I found this bizarre given that there are so many beautiful areas of the course. There were also photos taken at the Wright Brothers Memorial but I found the angles to be strange and the photo timing to be a bit off. The finish line photos were taken from quite a distance, and the online proofs were so heavily watermarked I couldn't tell if I might actually want to purchase any of them (hence why the only picture I'm attaching is of my medal).
I loved that there were breakfast sandwiches at the finish line! It was so nice to be served morning-appropriate food. I did not partake of the post-race beer but others seemed very happy with it, and there was a festive feeling with a band and cornhole at the finish line party. I had to get back home to other commitments though so hopped back on the shuttle (very quick and easy!) back to my car and was on my way.
Overall, I thought this race was well organized, and would definitely run it again. I just won't choose it for a PR goal race in the future, and will train some more on hills before returning in 2017! I think the best part about it is the crowd support when you run through residential areas, but it made the quiet of the trails at the end seem a bit lonely.