Latest reviews by Reed

(2017)
"Trail Factor 50k Review"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

The TF50k is an event I'd recommend to all levels of ultrarunners or those aspiring to become one.

GoBeyond Racing has the basics of race organization nailed down. The aid stations seemed well-stocked and had no shortage of volunteers (I should note that I was not in the back of the pack so your experience may be different from my own). There is no stress at this race environment as parking is easy and close (about a 5-10 minute walk to the start/finish depending on how close you park). You don't have to deal with huge lines for porta potties, although there most likely will be a short wait.

The course is is great although there are a lot of turns to look out for. I'd say the difficulty is medium for an average trail 50k; it would be easy for the hard-core mountain runners but challenging for those who don't train on hills. Memorial Day is a great time of year to run through forest park as it is as green as ever and usually dry. You won't get any views of vast landscapes or mountain ranges, but you'll see a whole lot of green in every direction.

I rated this race 4/5 stars because despite top-notch organization, it has to deal with the constraints that come with being held in a confined area. The route isn't the most intuitive which can lead to missed turns. The fact that you're racing through dense forest doesn't help with navigation as turns come up quickly and you need to pay close attention. You also don't have any incredible views that many "5 star" courses would have.

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