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Latest reviews by DAVID SMITH
DAVID SMITH recommends this race
(2019)
"Good but not great!"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
I was pumped for this even... but leave somewhat disappointed. Below are my notes:
PACKET PICKUP & EXPO:
It was located near St. Paul and hard to get to. I took a train and bus from downtown. At the expo I was given my shirt and bib only... no bag to pre- pack for morning drop. No printed race guide. Small table selling extra race apparel.
RACE AID STATIONS:
Everyone was very nice and helpful. I think the organizer may have added aid stations because of heat and humidity.
SWAG:
Nice tech shirt. There was 1 common medal for all events... 5k, Half Relay & Half.
FINISH LINE:
Strong effort. Water, Gatorade, Chocolate Milk, choice of ice cream, bananas and hotdogs. Also provide a beer of choice from Summit brewing.
VIP EXPERIENCE:
This was a great addition. Bag check was good... but had to walk 0.2 miles each way from Half start to drop off. Extra beer, free massage, fruit bar. Special gift was a beach mat.
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DAVID SMITH recommends this race
(2018)
"Headliner title... but no Chicago encore planned!"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
I was so looking forward to this race. I was super pumped after the expo. Unfortunately the race and after part was somewhat of a let down.
Expo and shirt was great! A lot of promotional giveaways and engaged vendors.
The race route was good... but not great. The 10k goes along Lake Michigan with great views; but the half is back quite a bit.
The aid stations were very well staffed with a variety of enthusiastic volunteers. This was the first race I’ve joined where there was a running medical group... GREAT JOB! I do think they could have put a couple of port-a-johns at each aid station rather then grouping them after every 3-4 stations.
The finish line was very congested and I couldn’t jog through. The post race beverages were great (chocolate milk, water, Gatorade). Good selection of snacks (bananas, peanut butter crackers, granola bars).
Swag was OK... but nothing very unique. I like that the t-shirt didn’t plaster advertising all over it. For a rocker race I would’ve liked have seen a bottle opener integrated into the medal. Also, a complimentary 13.1 RnR decal would’ve been nice.
As for the after party... couldn’t find it and the volunteers I asked had no clue where it was.
DAVID SMITH recommends this race
(2018)
"Best half in New England!"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
One of the best races I’ve participated it. Majestic views of the Casco Bay and Back Cove. Weather was cool sub-60 at the start with a few bouts of rain.
Course itself was half road and half cinder trail (around Back Cove). Stay on the inside around the cove... I hit a root on the outside and ended up pulling a muscle trying to maintain balance. Watch out as there is about a 0.1km stretch of cobblestone before the finish... slow down to avoid an ankle injury.
This race is extremely well organized... everyone was excited that the start & finish wash relocated to the old port this year. After crossing the finish line you had 2 beer garden options... one with a live band! 2 free beers, pizza and ice cream topped the post race food offerings along with fruit, kind bars and maple water.
Swag included a tech tank (ran large) and a stained glass medal.
Highly recommended race!!!
DAVID SMITH recommends this race
(2018)
"A2 all the way!!!"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
The race expo was small and intimate. Very well organized.
I was blessed to run this with my daughter… it was her first half! She took 1st place in the 12-23 yo female division.
Race shows off the University of Michigan campus. Around mile 10 you switch to a cinder trail and encounter a significant hill.
At finish they announce everyone’s name. Unlimited pizza, ice cream sandwiches, bananas and water.
DAVID SMITH recommends this race
(2017)
"A tour of 2 countries!"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
Second consecutive year running this race. Very well organized with wave starts. Nice swag. Participants help choose the vehicle integrated into the medal.
Race course is great. Over the Ambassador Bridge into Canada and back through the tunnel. Belle Isle is always tough with the wind.
Finish celebration is great but all food was gone by the time I finished.
If the full is too long do the International Half!!!
Must do!... but it’s my hometown race. 😁