My 2nd year in a row running this 5K & will definitely be doing it again! First off, I love all of the Grey Matter Marketing races. They are super well run & attract small, friendly crowds to lovely locations. This one in particular runs through the park adjacent to Yale in New Haven, CT. The race doesn't start until noon, so don't go out looking for a PR. In 2016 it was like 100 degrees. This year, it was much cooler, but 100% humidity. If you love craft beer as much as I do though, it's well worth it. At the end is a crazy awesome brew fest with 40ish breweries offering unlimited sampling for hours. I challenge you to try all the beers. I know I can't! haha! I've tried!

Bonus: If you're in the top 3 male/female, you win a glass boot. And the vendors let me drink out of it last year. :) All finishers get super cool medals that are also beer openers.

2 small complaints: 1. There is no bag check & it's hard to get back to your car between the race & the beer fest. 2. The beer sampling cups are crazy tiny and the vendors can be a bit stingy with their pour, so you have to fill them up a million, gazillion times. One sip at a time!

(Photo: Me cartwheeling over the finish line!)

My friend from Astoria, NY grabbed my bib for me the day prior to the race & purchased a parking pass, so parking was a breeeeeze. Arrived kind of... ok super... early, so we had plenty of time to brave the porta-pooper lines. The park was very muggy and I heard that it's perpetually like that, so definitely dress for high humidity. I wore my Oiselle crop top, Lulu speed shorts, a hat & completely unnecessary, but super cute Goodr sunglasses. The lines weren't to use the bathroom weren't too bad and I got to the start line without any trouble. It starts in the park on a super flat, shaded stretch. The flatness at the start was pretty representative of the entire course and the herd of people pretty much carries you through to the finish line. At no point does it really break up, but it's also no so crowded that you are uncomfortable bumping sweaty elbows with your neighbors. There is one little up and over when you leave the park and then a hill by the Globe that you hit around mile 4 and again at the finish from another direction, but they are actually a nice change from the otherwise monotonous flatness. I will say that I thought I would enjoy circling the globe at the end of the race, but it felt like it would NEVER end. It felt like I was caught in an undying loop of last mile pain. Anyways, the race was fast, easy-going & unassuming. It's one of the 5 Burroughs for NYRR's 4-0f-6 to get into the NYC half & definitely worth getting to. Plus, the teal singlet we received is off-the-freaking-chaaaain.

There's nothing quite like running the rolling hills of Central Park in the blazing Summer sun @ 9am next to bad ass Paralympic athletes to make you feel like a wuss. Prepare to be inspired by the amazing group of people running this race; from handcyclists, visually impaired runners & amputees to volunteers & elite athletes. All proceeds from the race go to support Achilles International https://www.achillesinternational.org/ It's a total feel good race & we had a gorgeous day in Central Park for it this year (2017). The sun was shining & the smiles were contagious. As far as the course goes, the loop starts around E 68th, proceedsup Cat Hill & loops around (skipping Harlem Hill), through the rolling Hills of Central Park to the finish near W 69th. The later start (9am) made for a super hot, challenging 4 miles, but splash some water on your neck at the 4 aid stations & you'll be a-okay. If you're into collecting hardware, this is also one of the few short mileage NYRR races that provides a medal at the finish. Thank you NYRR for putting on such a wonderful, spirit-lifting event!