Latest reviews by Erin

(2018)
"Rodes City Run 10k"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

I've run this race for years and love to do this as part of the Triple Crown of Running in Louisville. The course has changed over the years but I really like this race course. Well, I should say that the course isn't bad. Hard. Definitely hill and hills that no matter how many times I run them, they are unexpected. I used to drive it every day and I keep forgetting about the small hills that are a part of the first half of the run.

The shirt this year was nothing special but comfortable. The expo was minimal as always. In the past, we have gotten free full-size things like Biscoff spread and there was none of that this year which was a bummer. I did appreciate the fact that bib look-up was electronic this year. Much better than a wall of numbers.

The bummer of the race was definitely the weather this year but no fault to the organizers. Plenty of food/drink this year when I finished in 1:08. I think a lot of people were skipping the food to get back to the warm and dry of their cars as quickly as possible.

I have a place to park because of where I work so I can't attest to that but it looked like plenty of parking around when I was walking to the start.

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(2018)
"Historic Conditions and Disappointing Finish"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

This year made history! It was the first year that there was snow for the 10 miler. The wind chill was 18* at the start and it definitely felt like it got colder the further into the run that we got. The out and back from the park are fairly boring and usually there are some spectators out encouraging runners but there were very few this year, for obvious reasons. Luckily the snow wasn't sticking so there were no slippery road conditions except for one very small spot at the end on the overpass which is understandable. The first water stop was well stocked and most were not stopping as they didn't want to add cold water to them already being cold but I grabbed one and there was ice in my cup. Just goes to show how cold it was! The run through Iroquois Park is tough on a good day. Lots of hills and I'm definitely not trained for hills right now so that was a little defeating but nothing against the course. I both love and hate the fact that they give out water bottles in the park instead of cups of water. I tend to hold on to the bottles as I take fuel and then I hold onto them because I have nowhere responsibly to throw them. i don't want to litter but there aren't a lot of trash cans available throughout. They also gave out water bottles as you were coming out of Iroquois but I didn't take any because I was still holding onto the previous water bottle. I wish they weren't the big bottles of water. That would help a lot. After the park you run a few miles back to a giant overpass. That's the only part of the race where I didn't feel safe running with the snow. There was a very short section over the railroad tracks that the overpass was very slushy and slippery. We had to go in a single file line through the non slushy trail to keep from slipping. The best part about this race in years past, and the most disappointing part now, is finishing on the Papa John's Cardinal Stadium field. Last year they moved it to the parking lot due to a logistical issue with the spring game but this year I don't think there was a good reason to keep it in the parking lot. It's just anticlimactic instead of being on the jumbotron and running around the field. That was always really, really cool. I hope they don't keep it that way but I bet it's easier and we likely won't see it finish on the field any longer. And then of course you get free Papa John's thin crust pizza. I know a lot of people can't eat that right at the finish but it always hit the spot for me!

I didn't mention the swag! The race shirts this year were neon green performance shirts. They are a different material than the ones we've had in years past. I prefer those shirts but this one feels and fits fine. The real winner was my son! You only pay $5 for the kids race but you get an unbelievable amount! He received a drawstring bag, crayons, coloring book, Papa John's car, basketball, slinky, monster toy, free Chick-Fil-A kids meal, and a tech shirt. Great deal for $5! Even though his race was cancelled due to the weather, his swag more than made up for it!

Overall, I really enjoy this race. I'll likely continue to do it every year regardless but I do really, really wish that it finished on the field still. It was such a great way to finish!

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