Disclaimer: I received free entry to the Vermont City Marathon as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find and write race reviews!

This was my first time running the Vermont City Marathon, which is in Burlington, Vermont, and I was impressed. I could tell it was going to be a good race leading up to it, because everything seemed very well-organized. I also really like the city of Burlington.

There were Facebook Live videos each week and regular emails. The website had all the pertinent information, and I was added to a Facebook group called New2-26.2, through which a coach provided training plans. We also received training info from the coach via email. (I was provided with this for free through BibRave, but this is available with a deluxe registration for $10 additional - early rate - or $15 additional - later rates.)

The shirt was a basic short-sleeve tech shirt, but I thought the design was really cool. This year was the race's 30th anniversary, so that was a major theme in the design of the shirt and the medal. There was no extra physical swag for the regular runner (I received some extra items as a BibRave Pro), but there were perks like food and beer at the finish.

Aid stations were awesome. There were so many water stops that I lost count during the race (a full list of water stops is available on the race website at www.runvcm.org.) The volunteers were helpful and there were so many of them. The on-course fuel was UnTapped, a maple syrup fuel that I trained with after seeing it would be on course. The fuel was not with the water stops. There were also unofficial aid stations, including a Maple Syrup Shots station and at least two ice pop stations beyond the one listed.

I really liked the course. It goes out in a few different directions, continually returning to the center of the city. The first part is in the downtown area and includes the Church Street Marketplace (runners go through here twice during the race). Next is the Burlington Beltline, which is a highway with nice views. Runners then go back to a city environment before heading up toward the Burlington Greenway (bike path), with an energetic neighborhood on the way. There are views of Lake Champlain from the bike path and from a different neighborhood. Being from a very flat area, I thought it was a hilly course, although it seemed like people from hillier areas did not think it was that hilly. My watch logged 696 feet of elevation gain, with more elevation lost. The most daunting hill was on Battery Street, during Mile 16, but I noticed even the smaller hills. The next largest hill was leaving the Beltline area, around Mile 9.

This year's race, the 30th anniversary, had the added perk of having Meb Keflezighi there for the race. I got to meet Meb and get a photo with him at Waterfront Park the day before the race. I went to the expo later to get an autograph, and ended up getting another photo instead because the line was very long. However, plenty of people did get autographs. It was great that he was so accessible. Even though I finished too late for this, some people even got high-fives from Meb at the finish line. He ran with a relay team.

I picked up my bib and shirt easily on Friday evening, but since I got there right before the expo closed, I returned the next day. There was an opportunity to taste and purchase 14th Star Brewing Co. beer, which I did. UnTapped was also at the expo with samples, and I bought some maple leaf earrings from Danforth Pewter. It was a smaller expo, but it had everything I needed.

I was told by my host that if I left before 6 a.m. (the race starts at 7 a.m.), parking would not be hard to find. He was correct, and I was able to find a free parking spot not far from Waterfront Park. I can't speak to later parking, but I found parking easily. I saw that there were also shuttles from some hotels.

I enjoyed the contact via email and information ahead of the race. The course was also well-marked and easy to follow. There were plenty of portable toilets, lots of water stops and everything went on smoothly.

The finish line was awesome. I came in at 5:07:17, and there were crowds of people on both sides — I felt like a celebrity. I got post-race food and drink including water, a piece of pizza, chips, Ben & Jerry's (there were samples, but I bought a full-size cone). Runners also got a free beer. This year, there were different Vermont brewers' beers. The 14th Star beer ran out before I got to the tent, but I got a Zero Gravity beer that I liked.

There were also tons of drummers on the course, from the Taiko Drummers on the Battery Street hill and drummers on the Beltline to people drumming on trash cans and bins. There was great community support for this race, which is definitely appreciated! Everyone was also very friendly.

Check out my full race recap on my blog: https://sherunsbytheseashore.com/2018/05/31/vermont-city-marathon-full-of-syrup-scenery-and-support/

This was my fourth year participating in the Run for the Animals in Onancock, Virginia, on Virginia's Eastern Shore, and I had a great time! This race is well-run and has a fun small-town atmosphere.

The race was just $40 (early rate) for all distances, including a 10K, half marathon and noncompetitive 5K. I ran the 10K this year. This year, it was hotter than it normally was, but there were three aid stations (one was the same one that we passed twice), which I thought was a good amount, and they had what I needed. It would have been good to have a trash can, but I am hoping the volunteers picked up the cups I dropped.

I loved that this race had a mug as a premium like it did last year. Last year, the mug was wider and black; this year, it was a different shape and there were all kinds of colors to choose from. My friends and I had trouble choosing! There are also finisher medals and the overall and age group trophies are unique. The shirt is a pretty basic tech shirt, but I would have given the 5-star rating just to have something cool like a mug.

The town of Onancock is nice to run through; then there is an out-and-back stretch on a road with not much to see. The race is very flat and it's very easy to park close to the start/finish, and of course, parking is free. Race management is great; everything went smoothly and I did not have any problems at all.

There is not what I would describe as an expo; people can pick up their packets race morning.

After the race, there is tons of food, including delicious Corner Bakery doughnuts, fried chicken, various breads, beer and more. I would definitely recommend checking out this race!

Read my recap on my blog here: https://sherunsbytheseashore.com/2018/04/22/run-for-the-animals-10k-doughnuts-heat-and-more/

Disclaimer: I received free entry to the United Airlines Rock ‘n’ Roll Washington DC Half Marathon as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find and write race reviews!

I ran the United Airlines Rock 'n' Roll Washington DC Half Marathon on Saturday, March 10, for BibRave. I also ran this race last year, and the weather (obviously something that's not in anyone's control), was much nicer this year. I enjoyed myself last year, but I definitely had more fun hanging out post-race this year because I was not freezing like the year before.

Rock 'n' Roll made some updates for 2018, including having music playing from the mile markers. There are also bands of different kinds along the course. The course starts with a view of the Washington Monument and soon after takes runners past the Lincoln Memorial and later, toward the Capitol. It's fun to run through the closed streets of such a big city. There is also a waterfront portion early on.

There is one huge hill that is around the Mile 6 marker (my slowest mile, with the worst of the hill, was during Mile 7). On Strava, it came in as a 7 percent grade. There are other hills throughout the course, but nothing compared to that, and there are some enjoyable downhills in the second half.

I really liked this year's T-shirt, which was blue, and medal. I think the women's shirts run relatively small. I normally wear a women's medium and I chose a women's large shirt after getting a medium at this race last year. The medal was in the shape of a guitar pick with Washington, D.C., scenery.

Aid stations were clearly marked, and there were sections for sports drink and gels, but I took off a star because some of the aid station volunteers were still pouring water into the cups when runners arrived. I was in the middle of the pack (finished in 2:14) and they seemed a little behind. However, volunteers were friendly and able to give me two cups as I asked for them. It also seemed that there were a good amount of stops. I didn't use the sports drink or gels on course, just water.

There were plenty of spectators along the course, some with fun signs and some in costume. There were also a few unofficial beer stops.

After the race, there were water bottles, sports drink bottles, chocolate milk bottles, bags of chips and popcorn, bananas (too green for me) and hummus snacks. Runners also got a beer ticket to use after the race (21+) — bring your ID if you plan to get a beer.

I went to the expo at about 5:15-5:30 p.m. Friday, and there was a short line to get in, but not as long as last year. There were security staff checking bags and using a metal detector. There was no line to get my bib or shirt, and that process was very easy. I liked that this year, the race had shirts for sale with the participants' names on the back (I bought one), and I also bought a sweatshirt from a local vendor.

I gave parking/access a "4," because it was very easy to get to the start on Metro, but I am from a smaller area and I'm used to just driving up and parking for free. There was a paid parking option with a shuttle for marathoners (who could not ride the Metro because it was not yet open for the morning). The Metro costs money to ride (and to park in the parking lot where you board), as well. But, despite the cost, it was extremely easy to get to the race.

I gave race management a "5" because this was a very well-organized race in the city. It must take a lot of work to have a race like this go on in Washington, D.C. Even though there were thousands of participants, I didn't really get cramped because of the way the corrals were spaced out (there were a few times I got around people, but I didn't feel stuck). The music along the course is cool and I received plenty of emails from the race ahead of time. I knew the information I needed to about the race, expo and transportation. I would suggest maybe having more volunteers at the aid stations next year.

Check out my blog post here: https://sherunsbytheseashore.com/2018/03/12/the-rock-n-roll-washington-dc-half-marathon-another-214-finish-with-fun-scenery-atmosphere/

This was my eighth year running the Tim Kennard River Run, so clearly, it's a race that I enjoy, as I come back every year. It's a great community event in my hometown of Salisbury, Maryland. There's a great atmosphere and it's a fun time. The race includes a 10-miler and 5K, which are both certified.

There is also the Rob's Run for Kids, which is a free event for children the day before the race (donations are accepted).

My running club, the Eastern Shore Running Club, is one of the Tim Kennard River Run sponsors, and I set up at the ESRC table at the packet pickup the day before the race. I didn't rate the expo category because it's more of a packet pickup; there are only a few vendors.

Salisbury is a flat area, so it's a flat course (if you live in a flat area, like me, you may notice a few minor hills). I also enjoy the scenery. The race starts and finishes at Salisbury University and includes nearby neighborhoods, the downtown area and views of the Wicomico River.

I really like this year's shirt (although I think last year's might be my favorite from this race). The women's shirt was blue with pink writing. I also loved the age group awards — insulated cups, which were teal for women and black for men — and I was able to earn one this year.

The aid stations were great. There were a good amount of them and the volunteers were ready with water. I brought my own fuel and don't remember if there was fuel on the course.

I also give race management a 5 — I am friends with the race organizers and my boyfriend is on the committee, but this race is well-planned. One really cool thing about this race is that there are training runs every Sunday for about two months leading up to the race, many of which I attended. The course was also well-marked and there was a fun after-party at the finish with chili, Rise Up Coffee and other food.

Parking is a breeze — I parked in the parking lot right by the start/finish. Parking is free.

I would definitely recommend this race and would love to see you there next year!

Check out my blog post here: https://sherunsbytheseashore.com/2018/03/29/tim-kennard-river-run-a-fun-community-atmosphere-and-a-successful-finish/