Latest reviews by Kevin Wilson

(2017)
"Fun Half Marathon with Lots of Hills"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

I really enjoyed this race. It was on a Saturday and started at 10:00 am. It was really nice to run on a Saturday and the later start time was also cool. They offer two days to pick up your bib/shirt at a running store in Morristown. There is a parking garage a block away from the start which was extremely convenient. Plenty of porta potties for a race that has about 800 runners. They had pacers for 15 minute intervals which was nice. The race takes you through neighborhood streets of beautiful Morristown and through a park for a good amount of the race. This course has a lot of hills. You do get the advantage of some downhills, but there are a lot more inclines. Definitely a bit challenging but I enjoyed it. Aid stations were plentiful. Lots of runners in costumes having a great time. Medal was really cool (see photo). Had Gatorade, water, bagels, bananas, granola bars after the race. Probably need to stock up on more Gatorade though. Back drop to take photos. Had a radio station there playing music. Not a lot of spectators except for in two areas of the race. Super Hero Racing does a great job with their races, always well organized. I would definitely recommend this half marathon.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.
(2017)
"Beautiful Half Marathon Course"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

This half marathon takes place in mid-September. It is held in Jersey City, NJ. There is no expo or packet pick up prior to the race, so you pick up your bib and t-shirt the morning of the race. This still ran smooth so no issues with lines or anything. The race starts at 8:30 am.

They have signs for average pace for you to slot yourself into prior to the race. There are no pacers in this race.

This course has probably the best views you can have in a race. You get a front row seat to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Freedom Tower/World Trad Center, and downtown Manhattan. You get to run through the business district in Jersey City along with into some beautiful brownstone neighborhoods and then much of the race is through Liberty State Park. You run over paved streets, some cobblestones, park paths, and also boardwalks along the Hudson River. I feel like this race has everything, except hills. It is pancake flat. There are lots of twists and turns though in this race. I didn't mind them but I know that's not for everyone's liking. Aid stations were plentiful and well stocked with lots of volunteers. I thought the directional signage was on point and plenty of clocks along the course so you know what your time is.

Most of the fans cheering are around the start/finish area and one other area in one of the Jersey City neighborhoods. Not much else along the course but there are plenty of runners in this race that you never feel alone.

Parking for the race is in the Newport Mall garage which is a block away from the starting line. The finishers medal is nice. I also thought the long sleeve t-shirt was one of the nicer ones I have received. They had plenty of Gatorade, water, bagels, and other food after the race. They also do a bunch of raffles so you can win some cool gift cards if you stick around. I thought they also had plenty of bathrooms to use before and after the race. It was a well organized race and one I will definitely run in the future.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.
(2017)
"Great Labor Day 5K"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

This race celebrated it's 35th anniversary in 2017. It is run by the Essex Running Club, so by area runners. Volunteers are plentiful throughout the course and it is very well organized.

The starting line is pretty cool as the Verona Fire Department has a truck at the start and they extend one of the truck ladders across and hang the start sign on it. Lots of spectators at the start too which is nice.

You start out by running on a flat road. You then make a right and have a very steep and long hill to conquer. I knew the area so it wasn't a surprise at all. It's a tough hill, but you'll love yourself when you get to the top. Then it's a right onto another flat road when you basically run to the end but have to do a turn around a cone in the middle of the road to run back. One of the race volunteers stands at the cone giving high fives to the runners as they go around it. I love stuff like that.

The good part is, on the way back you're running the same course so you get to go down that steep hill. It's then a left turn back to the main road and past the starting line. You turn right onto Bloomfield Avenue and up another hill until you turn right into Verona Park. The portion in Verona Park was longer than I thought in my mind. It's flat so you can pick up some speed. People cheer you on as you get closer.

It's a nice course. People cheer you on throughout this course which is really cool for a 5K. Plenty of water, bagels, and bananas are available after the race. The bagels are probably the best in NJ. Outstanding.

They also have a 1 mile fun run in the park that a lot of kids run. It was the first race my daughter and her friend ran. I joined them. It is run prior to the 5K.

I would highly recommend this 5K to others.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.
(2017)
"Beautiful Rolling Hills Course"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

This 5K is normally run in May but in 2017 the original race was rained out and moved into June. The good part was, it allowed me to run it with the date change. The race starts and ends at Caldwell University and Mount St. Dominic Academy (they share a campus). Plenty of parking is available and bathrooms are in the Mount St. Dominic gymnasium which is nice.

The starting line is right outside the athletic fields and you have a decent length straightaway before the first left turn which is nice to help let the runners break up a little. After you make a left, you run up a small incline until you make a right onto Fells Road. You get to pick up speed here as you are on Fells Rd. for a good amount and it's a decline for the most part. You pass by some beautiful homes in Essex Fells. The scenery is fabulous. Fells eventually turns into Welsh where you start going up an incline until you turn right onto Rensellear Road. That is where you hit a steep incline that bends. It levels out for a little bit and then you continue up a decent incline for the majority of the road. Once you hit near the end of Rensellear you hit a decline then make a right onto Ryerson. From there its basically flat until you pass the starting line and you hit one of the biggest downhills you will see in a 5K until you hit Bloomfield Avenue. Then it's flat until you turn left into the Caldwell University entrance and it's about 50 yards to the finish. So, you basically get a decline first 1/3 of the race, all incline for the next 1/3 of the race and flat with a big downhill and then flat for the last 1/3 of the race. The middle will beat you up a bit but the course is different and I liked the challenge.

There is water and food available for runners after the race. Some local companies have tents set up with giveaways and information including a bank, PT, and even a massage table. They give awards away for top finishers and age groups. All proceeds from the raise go towards scholarships for young ladies going to Mt. St. Dominic. Definitely a great cause to support. It's really a beautiful event and one I look forward to running again.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.
(2017)
"Fabulous Half Marathon"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

The race starts at Monmouth Race Track which is convenient for parking and gives you plenty of room for warming up and getting ready. A bugle player plays to get everyone ready and Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run" jams as the race starts. The corrals are easy to get into and are done by what you select during registration, so honesty is key.

The race runs through a few NJ shore towns. Plenty to see and mostly a flat course with some rolling hills including the two bridges you run over. You run through some beautiful homes, through a business district in Long Branch, past college students outside cheering you on, and eventually onto the boardwalk along the Atlantic Ocean. Marathon and Half Marathon runners run together for the first 11 miles before the half marathon course turns towards the boardwalk for the final mile and a half. The final stretch along the boardwalk is nice. It can get windy though so it all depends on the day.

Plenty of aid stations with water and Gatorade throughout the course. They also have an aid station about half way through with Honey Stinger packets.

Finish had plenty of water, Gatorade, food, and they put a wrap around you to keep you warm after the race. The medal is a spinner and really nice.

There is a bag check. You are supplied the bag that has to be used at the expo/packet pick up. The nicest thing is, this race has changing tents so you can get out of your sweaty clothes and into something nice and dry. I really appreciated this. They due limit bags from the finish area though, so once you get your bag you really can't go back.

This race also has a relay option. There are other races on the day prior to the half marathon/marathon including kids races. The expo was at the race track but is moving for 2018. There are shuttles for spectators from the race track to around mile 9. Mile 9 is then a short walk to the finish area, so your loved ones can see you at three locations during the race. Lots of fans cheering at the start, mile 9, and finish due to this. Spectators and runners can take the shuttle back from the finish area to the race track. If you plan on staying, make sure you book a hotel early if you want to stay close to the race as the hotels book up.

I liked this race so much that I'm already signed up for 2018. Come run it!

Login or sign up to leave a comment.