Latest reviews by William Brent

(2021)
"A good fall option for us east coasters"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

The good: well organized race.
The bad: parking in Philadelphia... and the Schuylkill expressway

Communication leading up to the race was well balanced and helpful, not spamming

Package pick up: I didn't attend but looked socially distanced

Well marked course, Police presence at intersections.

The aid stations were on both sides of the street and there were plenty! Thanks!

I think this course is the original from the early 90's. You get a good view of the city and there is no doubling back over previously trodden miles.
The course is fast and with the exception of the small climb near the end (low grade, 30 feet of elevation change) its flat.

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(2021)
"Must add this to your July 4th Celebration list."
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

I signed up for this race somewhat on a whim. I was in the area and saw that the race finished at the West Palm Beach 4th on Flagler holiday celebration at the waterfront.
I thought this would be a great way to spend the holiday with my family.

True to the description, the event finished right at the park on the waterfront. There were food vendors and there was music at the finish, which made this small-ish race feel like a big city event.

From a flow perspective, there were police at intersections and cones blocking traffic.

The course is more or less flat (with the exception of having to run over a few metal plates from road construction.)

Race start was at a neat little park and one of the local businesses allowed for runner parking until 11pm.

The course kind of wrapped through the neighborhood and you could tell the closer you got to the finish, the more affluent the area...

The finisher medal was nice, but the award for AG winners was a coffee mug, which I appreciate because I love coffee.
The Race shirt was a technical tank that came in really handy post-race because of the heat and humidity.

Everyone was fantastic and friendly.

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(2021)
"Really good Swing to Virtual"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

The 2021 Delaware Running Festival is still scheduled to be a live race BUT they also had a virtual component! Since the Live event was moved to a day I had already booked an engagement; I opted for the virtual run.
The effort the event organizers made to make this event socially engaging from far away was spectacular.

They provided a really amazing photo upload tool and contests throughout the day to engage with the virtual runners.
To help prepare for race day:

I was able to download my bib on Run Sign Up
I downloaded RaceJoy to get the complete race day experience!
If you registered to run virtually by April 11th, your gear would have been sent to you before April 25th. If you signed up after the April 11th date, you will receive your gear in June like me.
The race directors communicated often leading up to the event.

They are very engaged on social and constantly provided information on Instagram and Facebook

I really want to go to Wilmington and actually run there.
The race organizers push so much energy out into the world that I want to be a part of it.

I would recommend this event to anyone looking to explore Delaware even though I didn’t get to this year. I feel the race pivoted well and was engaging, rather than some races where you get your medal and your bib in the mail with no follow-up or follow through.

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(2021)
"Always a good time in Gettysburg"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

In response to needing to make covid related accommodations, this race was fantastic:
Staggered start.
Socially distanced and prepared post-event food/prizes.
Aid stations with bottles of water, not cups.

Non-covid related comments:
In true Runner Created / Managed events, enough porta-potties for everyone to feel relieved...

The course:
The marathon course this year was a double loop of the half. My goal is to run this again next year and qualify for Boston (this is a Boston qualifying course.)
I actually like the double-looped course and felt that it is actually a better way to run than the previous design where you're alone for 7 or so miles.
Yes there are some hills but not bad.

Race communications were fantastic leading up to the race.
Post-race communication was quick following the event and thoughtful.
The race director was very thoughtful!

Location and Expo
There was no "expo" but packet pick up was laid out well and permitted for social distancing.
In my case, they had the option to pick up the packet at the partner hotel which was even better!
There are two really good options for start/stop "roll out of bed" accommodations.
There are also two other options within a mile.
There is more than ample parking for folks who traveled the day of the race.

Aid Stations:
The aid stations didn't have "nutrition" options, but I was prepared for that. (in the current climate, I don't think supplying gels would have been a great idea.)

Pictures were free, and as a runner who has already shelled out $$ to stay at a hotel and $$ for the race, I really appreciate that!

I highly recommend this race to anyone. There are also 5K adn Half Marathon options.

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(2021)
"The worst part is that it ended..."
Overall
Race Management
SWAG
Virtual Support

This is a wonderful way to stay engaged with training!
This is nothing like a race, but you get the same sense of accomplishment that you would had you run a race!

There isn't any clutter from mailers or race bibs, but there are really good discounts on some 'swag' which reminds me a bit of the Berlin Marathon (i can apply the credit for the t-shirt to anything I wanted rather than the t-shirt.)

The puzzles are pretty cool. I felt the first puzzle was the most difficult, but there was ample support post-run to solve the problems!

I really like that there was a follow-up from 'Hermes' which kept me engaged with the experience and had me following up with more runs.

I also think this is really reasonable for 6 runs.
Virtual or in person, if you had run 6 x 5K 'events' you would be over $100!

This is a m ust do expereince and I'm really looking forward to another one!

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