Disclaimer: I received an entry to the Providence Marathon to review as part of being a BibRave Ambassador. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Ambassador, and check out BibRave dot com to review, find and write race reviews!

This was my first time running the Providence Marathon and my first time visiting Rhode Island. I enjoyed exploring a new area. This is not the fault of the race, but unfortunately, it was a hot and sunny day. The race started at 7:30 a.m., and I was out there for almost six hours (my time was 5:53:58 — I'd hoped to be under 5:29, but the heat had an impact).

The water stops were frequent, but some of them didn't seem to be that well-staffed, as I got my own cup(s) of water at several of them. The Mile 16 aid station ran out of cups, which was disappointing on such a hot day. The cups were smaller than usual race cups, so I usually had to get a few.

I liked the course, though I would not consider it flat, as it is described on the website. I live in a pancake-flat area. The first and last quarter of the race in particular were hilly, and there was a pretty long hill during Mile 7 into Mile 8. After that, the course was mostly flat-ish with a few hills until we came back to the Mile 6/Mile 20-ish point and repeated most of the first six miles in the other direction.

I thought the course was really nice except for an area around Mile 3-5/21-23 that included highway ramps and a construction area (that part just wasn't as scenic, and on the way back, it also included a long, gradual hill). A lot of the course was on the East Bay Bike Path, which was pretty. Runners were either on the path or a nearby road; there were not two directions of runners on the path at once. I liked that it wasn't a complete out-and-back, with some variations. It did help with knowing what to expect in the last six miles. There were a decent amount of bikers on the path.

I took a Bird scooter to the race from my Airbnb, which made access very easy, as I didn't have to worry about parking. I liked that the swag for this race was a hoodie — something different and more substantial than the average race shirt. The medal was also pretty, although it would have been nice to include the year. There were also free race photos.

I enjoyed the race and did not have a problem following the markings, though I saw someone else almost go off course and another who had gone off course and turned around. I thought there would be more food at the finish line, and while there were food trucks, I did not see the free samples that had been described (I think the food trucks were giving out samples and selling meals, but I didn't make it over there). I did get my post race beer from Fiddlehead, a banana and a water. Narragansett was also on-site (I went to the brewery later in the day), along with another beverage company.

Read my full recap at She Runs by the Seashore dot com.

This was the fifth year of the in-person RunSBY Events (2020 went virtual-only because of covid), and my fourth year running the RunSBY Events in person. I always enjoy this race, which is in the town where I live. You can't get much flatter than Salisbury. This year, we had a windy day, and the marathoners got a lot of rain, but of course, the weather cannot be controlled, and the race was managed smoothly.
There are plenty of aid stations. There was just one I came across that was a little understaffed, but you can't really blame the volunteers who came out to help, and it didn't bother me.
Communication is clear and there is an athlete guide that participants receive ahead of the event. The race director also did a Facebook Live to answer runners' questions ahead of race day, and kept everyone in the loop about potential weather concerns.
I live so close that I ran to the start, but most runners park about a half-mile away, walk to the start and then finish near the parking.
Swag included a shirt, drawstring bag and bib belt. I have never used a bib belt, but I do appreciate when a race has unique swag, or something beyond a T-shirt.
The course is mostly rural and I am extremely used to running these roads, but it's a nice run.
There is a packet pickup held Thursday and Friday, but there aren't really expo vendors.
I would recommend this race. Come visit us in Salisbury!
I got a free entry to this race as the coach for the event. I also think that's a pretty cool perk! I wrote training plans and also checked in with the runners on the race Facebook group.

The Algonquin 50K is an amazing race that has runners coming back year after year! I have to think that our region of Delmarva must have a higher percentage of ultrarunners than most areas because of this event.

This was my first (and only) 50K in 2017. I came back to run the race in 2021 and 2022, but I wasn't able to finish either of those years. There was terrible weather in 2021 and I was having personal issues with plantar fasciitis and coughing in 2022. Finally, I was able to cross the finish line this year (even though my finish was just barely unofficial). There is an eight-hour cutoff and cutoff times to meet at aid stations along the way. If you make it through all the aid station cutoffs, then you are generally able to continue on to the finish line (although you can be pulled at any time if the race crew deems that necessary).

The volunteers at this event are top-notch and do whatever they can to help you along the way. As an example, this year was very cold and volunteers helped clear out my frozen bottle tubes. There are plenty of snacks at the aid stations, along with water and Tailwind, and including Smith Island Cake.

Race management is also top-notch. Runners are kept informed about the event and there are two days of packet pickup to get your bib and shirt. Swag this year was a fanny pack or blanket, plus a shirt, magnet and koozie. There are always unique swag items; last year's included a backpack.

While the terrain can be tough as it's a trail, there aren't hills to deal with. This year, the course was pretty frozen and surprisingly dry, but it can be very wet and muddy. There are also roots and some sand, along with a dirt road section that is about a mile (you go on that part twice). It's in the woods so it is a nice course, though not super exciting scenery.

Finishers get a beautiful handmade finisher mug. If you don't finish, your mug is smashed.

Parking is easy at the park; carpooling is recommended.

This is a great event and I would recommend it to anyone! Check out my full recap on the blog at She Runs by the Seashore dot com.

This is one of my favorite races! It was my ninth year participating (I ran the marathon twice and since then, I've run the half), and I paced the 2:45 half group. The course is scenic and takes runners down the main street with shops in Rehoboth (Rehoboth Avenue), in residential areas, on the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk, up to Cape Henlopen State Park and back through town to the Junction & Breakwater Trail. The Junction & Breakwater trail is crushed stone, and there are some noticeable rocks. It was a little muddy in a few spots this year because of rain.

Swag included a Brooks long-sleeved shirt, a nice medal, free race photos, and I'm not sure if this is "swag" or not, but the post-race party is amazing. There is plenty of food, three Dogfish Head beers for each runner, and a DJ, with lots of dancing.

Parking is super easy and free. I stayed in a hotel this year, but I have driven up on race morning and it was easy to park when I arrived an hour before the race. There are several hotels within walking distance.

Race management is always great. There's a super active Facebook group, and runners get emails with necessary information. The race director is super accessible.

Aid stations I took a star off because there were an aid station or two where the volunteers seemed behind on filling water, but the wind could have had an impact on that. There are tons of aid stations and it did not impact my pacing at all.

Definitely check this race out!

I ran the Tuckahoe 25K for the first time this year. This trail race is put on by Algonquin Ultras and the Centreville Crushers, and this was its fourth year. Race management was great — I knew everything I needed to know ahead of time, there was a packet pickup in Salisbury (about an hour away) because so many of us live here — in addition to one closer to the race — and the course was well-marked.

It's a cup-less race, so you need to bring a bottle or pack, but the aid station volunteers were helpful and I got what I needed.

The scenery was nice and offered trail views, but I did feel like I had to look down a lot to avoid tripping. There were some parts where leaves were covering the trail, and other parts that were more cleared out. This race did have some hills — steep ones for the Eastern Shore — but it was much less hilly than PHUNT (which is not too far away). Parking was easy, free and close.

Participants received a bunch of swag — a shirt, BOCO Gear visor, socks, a magnet and a triangle-shaped bib. Finishers get a custom award, and there's also great food (including churros) and beer at the end.

The cutoff time is four hours for the 25K (15.5 miles). This was a fun event and I'm glad I participated!