Race day was very rainy in 2015. The packet pickup is at Karbach Brewing Company at the outdoor area and parking is a challenge because the brewery restaurant is also open and they have a very small parking lot.

The 10K race is a 2 lap race that starts and finishes in front of the brewery. It’s a very fast and flat course with mostly acceptable quality road to run on. What made my run unique is that Houston was experiencing some major storms that weekend and it looked like they were over. About 3/4 through the race it started lightening with heavy rain. I believe they started clearing the course but I was on the last section where I was already headed for shelter back at Karbach. Something I didn't expect running through the rain is that a large area has the primary low spot drain in front of the brewery. This made my finish very fun as I sloshed through shin deep water to cross the line.

Even considering the weather I had a lot of fun with the race. I even dressed up in a makeshift costume.

When I did this race I already knew what to expect because the course is very similar to the Springs pack race held earlier in the year. There is plenty of parking along the street for racers if you arrive close to transition open. The spectators may have a little more difficulty as things fill up.

The swim for this race starts across the street from Transition. You swim out the length of the lake and then swim back for the swim exit.

Transition is set in a grass lot with plenty of space and the bike starts off going north along the main road of Cross Creek Ranch.

The bike course will have cones and signs inside the neighborhood and once you are on FM 1463 you will have cones marking the protected path. After you cross the 1093 Intersection you will no longer have cones but will be riding down a wide shouldered road. (in 2015 they modified this section and you headed east on 1093 for a street then turned back south and west to return to FM 1463) You follow this South down to Richmond Texas where you will make the turn and follow back farm roads back north. Be aware of signs and if there are people on the side of the road they are most likely volunteers. Make sure they know what distance your racing and send you on the correct rout. The bike leg completes by making a left turn into the main entrance of Cross Creek returning you to Transition.

The run for this race is very similar that that of Springs Back as well. For the Olympic distance you make 2 loops of a section along a drainage waterway before returning to the front of the neighborhood and the finish at the community center. When running make sure you are following the signs or directions of the volunteers to make sure you’re not cutting the race short. Communicate clearly what race you’re in and what lap it applicable. They have no indicator on the race bibs for them to know leaving it up to you.

The Woodlands Marathon is held at a time of year where the weather is somewhat unpredictable. In 2015 it was 32 Degrees F at the start of the race. Rained somewhere in the middle and was overcast most of the race. Perfect conditions for a PR. The following year it was much warmer. I didn't race in 2016 but was cheering the runners as a spectator.

The expo is well organized with an area to look up your bib number if you don't already know it. You then enter the convention rooms at the Marriott and get your race packet, shirt etc… Many vendors are also on side with some of the latest gear available for you to check out or purchase.

Parking isn't to difficult. There are plenty of parking garages that charge a small fee when you exit as well as a few public parking lots along the south side of the waterway. It's not a giant race which also helps.

The start corral was setup by pace inside street barriers with plenty of porta potties near by. The race course it mostly flat with very few small hills making this a very fast race. The pace groups or at least the 4 hour pace group stayed on target all the way through the finish and the water stations were well stocked.

The finish for the race is down along the waterfront in the woodlands. This is a canal area and also the run route for IRONMAN Texas. You will run down a drive from the main roads to the water front. Once you get here your 200 to 300 meters from the finish but wont see it until you run through the overpass that’s going over the walkway. Once your long the water be confident that your at the finish and stay strong.

The after party is held in a grassy park area just after the finish. All your drop bag pickup will be here, they have hot food and drinks, massage therapists and beer. The park is also along the final stretch of the marathon before making the turn that takes you down to the waterfront for the finish making it easy for family to cheer you on and then run to the finish for that last little bit of encouragement. I was able to do this with a stroller and 3 kids for my wife when she did this race.

This is a great race for those who are new to triathlon. In 2015 they used what is called a split transition which is great practice for anyone who maybe looking at a much larger race where you need to split your gear up between two locations.

It's a pool swim which as anyone who has raced in a pool knows it can be a little crowded and confusing once your in the water snaking between the lanes. If everyone communicates at the beginning what they think they will swim for a pace and lineup accordingly you'll be fine.
T1 was right outside the pool and the bike route was nice and fast down the local farm roads. I experienced a missed turn coming back into T2 where the traffic cop directed me through an intersection instead of to turn (maybe I didn't look like I was racing) As soon as I found the runners I knew I was in the wrong spot. O well lessons learned right.
The run was nice and flat through the residential old Katy area allowing you to use whatever speed you had left. The finish is along a dirt road that has some pot holes. So, be aware of that.

At the finish of the race they have hot food, beer and live music leading up to the awards ceremony.

The San Antonio Rock n' Roll marathon was my second Marathon and the second time I participated in San Antonio. The first time was several years earlier for the Half Marathon. For the expo it wasn't do difficult to find parking and inside was your typical Rock n' Roll Marathon setup with lots of apparel and gear available to look at and try. The shirts for 2014 was a long sleeve orange shirt.

Race day.
The same as I had done in 2011 for the half marathon I stayed in a hotel a few blocks off of mile 9 of the race course. This was about a miles walk to the start and I've become a big fan of the walk to the start to get loose and the walk back to help flush out the sour muscles. San Antonio is a great place for doing that because you can take the Riverwalk which is very safe.

It was a cool morning and the race corals were setup long the main street outside the stadium with plenty of porta potties. This is also where the finish party is held after the race. Just before the start line there was a second set of porta potties which lots of people were taking advantage of just before crossing the start line.

The race route is pretty good with some hilly sections especially as you run through Trinity University. For the first half of the race there are lots of spectators cheering and lots of great music. As you reach the area were the half marathon splits off you will go from running in a big crowed of people to suddenly finding yourself running in a very small group of spaced out people and the number of spectators and frequency of the bands spaces out. This is just the nature of the race being designed around the half marathon and most of the racers entering the half. The year I did the race we eventually entered the river area which had several rolling hills as you ran up and down the sidewalks along the bank.

The water stations were well stocked and the support there was great usually with a band playing music. As we exited the river area and went back up on the road we rejoined the half marathon runners for the last mile who were kept separate until the final stretch with cones dividing the road. This was good because by then many of those still completing the half marathon were walking. Many of us on the Marathon were also walking but in less frequency so you were able to keep going without any additional challenges.

The finish was a long straight finish with lots of people lining the road cheering allowing you to feed on the energy and keep moving through to the end.

After the race there is photos with your finisher medals along with food, hydration, space blankets, beer and live music. There was plenty of open space to meet up with family and friends to enjoy the bands.