Latest reviews by Michelle Haarhues

(2017)
"Totally Biased"
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I am totally biased when it comes to this run. The proceeds for this run go to the Cardiac Care Center at the hospital in Greeley. The first year of the run was the year my dad was in the hospital in Greeley for triple by-pass surgery. Two years later my dad was a volunteer for the run and I ran it for the first time. I have run this event for the last 18 years.

If you are looking for a local, small town run, this is the run. Bias or not, they put on a good event, and each year it keeps growing. The course starts with a gradual hill climb for the first mile, then you run across to the east, where you come back down the hill and back around to the finish.

The t-shirts have the same fun turkey logo but each year the design is a little different. They have a shirt from each year displayed at the run and there are a lot of people checking them out and pointing out which ones they have.

And then there are the costumes. Some years there are more people in costume than others. There are always those with the turkey or pilgrim hats. My favorite costumes were a couple of years ago when a group dressed up as tables and they were the turkey. It took up a little space on the road but they were fun to watch.

The one negative about this run is that the 2K kids/family run starts about 15 minutes after the 5K and they finish together. There is not always good segmenting of the two groups so when trying to sprint to the finish, you can get behind groups of 6 wide strolling slowing up the road and you can’t get around them.

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(2016)
"It’s For a Good Cause"
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This is what I like to call a local run. They are not out to offer great prizes or have every detail laid out perfectly. The year I ran it, I think the 8:00am start became 8:05 or 8:10. You won’t be ‘impressed’ by the run if that is what you are looking for. This race is about community and helping neighbors. It is nice to be part of these types of races every once in a while and give back to the community.

They do give you a nice technical t-shirt and breakfast after the run. The pancakes and sausage tasted pretty good! The purpose of this run is to raise money to purchase tools and materials for the Neighborhood Rehab Project, a local organization that works with people in Golden to help make their homes warm and dry.

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(2016)
"Hot, hot, hot!"
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This is one of my favorite runs in the Denver area. They have a great expo, great swag, and it is almost always great weather.

The expo is held on Friday and Saturday before the run on Sunday. It is open so you can wander around and talk to the vendors that you want. This is not a cattle pen where you have to go past each vendor. Therefore, I am more likely to have good conversations with the vendors.

The cost of the registration is a little higher but you get a great sweatshirt for the run. I still have all of my Hot Chocolate sweatshirts...they are some of my favorites in my collection. It is totally worth the extra registration fee for the swag.

The run is held on Sunday and parking meters are free on Sunday in downtown Denver so that makes it so much easier. The start is in Civic Center Park. They have plenty of port-a-potties and there is so much room to mingle and hang out pre and post run. Of course, post-run you have your bowl with chocolate fondue with bananas, marshmallows, and hot chocolate is an awesome way to finish the 15K. (OK...best way to finish 5K too)

This run is flawless from registration to the post-run party. I totally recommend it!

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(2016)
"Good fall run"
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The All Out Kooky-Spooky is held in Golden, CO, just a few miles west of Denver. The start is at the Jefferson County Stadium which is easy to get to and has tons of parking. The route heads out of the stadium and down then over to the reservoir with a climb. It is gradual enough that most people can make it up. Then you head across the top of the reservoir and back down. This is a steeper descent but the switchbacks make it easier. Heading back to the finish, there is a slight climb up but again, not too steep. You are up against the foothills and the trail goes through open space, so the views are great. You get a chance to breathe and take in nature all around you, but you are running on a paved path.

After the run, there are a lot of vendors there with food and drinks. There also are a lot of give aways and raffles. I stay longer at this run than others just because of the great after party.

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(2016)
"Thar She Blows"
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The packet pickup and expo were very low key which I guess is Key West style. And maybe I was annoyed with the process because we had travel issues getting to Key West. Finally, the race was delayed an hour because of weather but I was not notified prior to getting to the start. My ride had dropped me off and I had to fend for myself to find shelter during the delay. Everything seemed a little disorganized. I know they could not manage the weather, but race information and management was a little scattered.

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