Latest reviews by Sandy Bailey

(2019)
"2nd year of event-my thoughts on the half marathon"
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This was my second year participating but I ran the 5K last year so this is my review of the half marathon.

Bib pick up: This year, they added a 3rd location for runners to pick up their bibs and tee shirts. We had a choice of bib pick up at Lululemon or Athleta (both at Avalon) or Big Peach Running Company. I chose Big Peach because parking is easier.

However, I picked up my bib at Athleta last year and they gave out their classic white and silver reusable bags to race participants (I think Lululemon also gave out their bags too). So if getting a bag is important, go to Avalon and head to Lululemon or Athleta, you will just have to deal with crowded parking but Avalon does have several metered parking spots right outside of the stores.

Race Day Parking: HUGE IMPROVEMENT! This year, they moved the vendors to the finish line and both races started at the same location. That left plenty of free parking on site and the in their parking garage.

Course: The half marathon course was tough. The race started in Avalon. Mile 1 starts with huge hill. The course took us through the streets of Alpharetta, which isn’t the prettiest but we got scenery during the Big Creek Greenway segment of the race! The Greenway is flat so this was an opportunity to speed up and gain a time cushion. Strong Run Coach, Betsy, wrote motivational messages the entire course in the Greenway so runners got to laugh, smile, and focus on the words instead of our pain. After leaving the Greenway at mile 11, we were hit with another ridiculous, brutal, long hill. This hill caused just about every runner in front of me to walk. There was a final hill around mile 13, shout out to the spectators who stood there knowing this was a vital place to cheer on runners! This particular hill is tough and long but not as bad as mile 11. The race ended in Avalon.

SWAG: The medal looked the same as last year’s and all of their events around the country but I don’t mind that they stick with a specific look; when I see their medals, I know what company put on the race but this was off-putting to others. The tee shirt is an upgrade, last year’s was a short sleeve white tech tee. I will wear this year’s cotton blend short sleeve tee but they should consider long sleeves since the event is in the fall.

Overall, I wish they would reverse the course since it starts/finishes in the same place. This would result in faster finish times which would attract more racers going for Peachtree Road Race QT or Disney runners interested in faster corrals, etc.

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(2018)
"Inaugural Alpharetta Women's Half Marathon and 5K recap"
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Happy to be a part of the first ever Alpharetta Women's Half Marathon & 5K!

"EXPO": There wasn't an official big expo but we were able to choose from 3 locations in Avalon to pick up our bibs the Friday and Saturday before race day: Athleta, Lululemon, or Road Runner Sports. The day prior to the race, they offered pilates and yoga for runners at Hotel Avalon. I chose Athleta. No coupons offered, but runners could use their bib for 20% off during bib pick up.

PARKING: The only complaint I have was race day parking was a nightmare, which delayed both races. Once we got to Avalon, it took about half an hour to park due to congestion, confusion, and waiting in line to get into a parking garage because they didn't allow parking in many surface areas (for safety reasons, which I understand). 

Also, the half marathon and 5K didn't start at the same location but finished at Avalon. Half marathoners had to cross the street to their start line, but they had cops to assist the runners to safely cross. 5K runners started at Avalon. No port-a-potties for 5K runners, however we got to use a REAL restroom at Hotel Avalon (thank goodness).

5K COURSE: The 5K started fast because it was downhill but there were a couple of hills in mile 2. There was a HUGE hill in the final mile before we entered Avalon to the finish line. There was one water station about 1.5 miles into the 5K course.

SWAG: All participants received a free Athleta bag, a mini first aid kit, finishers medals that specified which race we ran, and a white tech short sleeve shirt.

Final thought, I liked that the race director honored a athlete who passed away this year from pancreatic cancer, we got purple bracelets at bib pick up and they spoke about her prior to the start of the race. We had a moment of silence for her. I loved that her husband and sons attended our race in her honor.

I hope to run this event next year!

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(2018)
"I ran the 5K, here's my quick recap"
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What a fun race! I loved that there was a DJ and MC to kick off the event and they stayed the entire race to keep the energy going! I didn't notice photographers on the course except at the finish line and I don't know if they loaded them on the website or social media (other than the overall winners).

BIB PICKUP: 2 days offered to pick up your bib & t-shirt (offered on a Friday and Saturday before the race). Free parking at Atlanta Station so no worries about that. They had a store front with some items for sale.

PARKING: Free at Atlantic Station, there's a reason they tell you to get there at 6am or take Lyft. We got there about 6:20a (for my 7:30 5K) and felt lucky to find parking. Late participants were parking in reserved spaces because there was nothing left but I don't think they got towed, so that's good!

5K COURSE: It’s Atlanta so it was full of unkind hills. There was one water stop midway through the course. There was a part of the course that I got to experience the sunrise behind the tall Atlanta buildings, it was so pretty!

SWAG: All finishers got a nice medal and a MIZUNO long sleeve tech shirt (10 milers got a Mizuno hoodie)!
Racers also got a full sized Cliff bar, a bottle of Powerade, full size bottled Dasani water, and banana at the finish line. There was a vendor that offered free massages, a stretch area, massage balls, and other cool vendors I didn’t check out because I was too cold and in a hurry to get the car.

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(2018)
"Midweek 5k"
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Bib pickup: They offered on site pickup the day of the race or we had the option to pick up bibs at Road Runner Sport.

PARKING: Free parking near the expo/start line at churches and schools across the street.

COURSE: They had us split into corrals based on how fast we'd finish.
-Mile 1 was easy and pretty flat. No hills and lots of runners going fast!
-Mile 2 was the opposite, hills on hills. When I turned the corner and saw a familiar hellacious, never ending hill that I’ve ran in the past, I saw a sea of runners turn into walkers. I don’t blame them, I took walk breaks during the climb.
-Mile 3 was so much better. It was fun running downhill to the finish line!

SWAG: All participants received a goodie bag with a fan (?), hot/cold pack, tape measurer, multiple bottle openers (that I can’t use until 2019) and finishers tee shirt. There were also TONS of vendors to visit after the race.

KIDS: There's also a kids 1K race for those with children old enough to run the course. I believe it was free too!

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(2017)
"Race of 1000 Santas"
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The Atlanta Jingle Bell Jog was a fun/funny event to participate in. DO NOT be that runner that doesn't wear the Santa swag! This race allows strollers, dogs, and children to run the full course.

SWAG: Sign up includes a Santa costume, beard, hat and jingle bells for your shoes. All finishers received a Snowman medal. I loved that the announcer called out runners who didn't dress up (all in good fun).

PACKET PICK UP: Located at West Stride on Friday & Saturday before the race AND the day of at the race location. For some reason, that parking lot is a CLUSTER! Tough to find a spot there. When I got to the store, there wasn't a line; the packet pickup crew appeared to be very organized so I was in and out.

PARKING: There is a garage located next to the park off of Monroe that will cost you a few bucks once you leave. There is also street parking for free.

COURSE/REFRESHMENT: The course starts and ends at Piedmont Park, we ran down 10th Ave, turned on Piedmont Ave and ran the rest through Piedmont Park. I thought it was pretty flat for Atlanta with very little elevation difficulty so I would assume it's considered a fast course (I PR'd). They offered water about 1.5 miles in and at the end. They offered bananas, apples, yogurt and COOKIES because Santa loves cookies!

As you can probably imagine, people around Midtown and at the dog park got a good laugh at all the runners in the Santa suits. I loved that people decorated their strollers and some dogs had cute holiday themed outfits.

AWARDS: I do not know when/where they offered top 3 awards and age group awards. I didn't see an area that displayed results or medals. I heard the announcer announce numbers and asked that they come to a tent. Results were online the same afternoon (no email with individual results) but only listed gun time, no chip times listed.

I had a fun time running with fellow Santa Clauses!

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