How often do you get to race a half marathon on the sand?! There's even a barefoot division!

So yes, this isn't your typical race. It starts on the sands of Cocoa Beach and runs a simple out and back all on the sand. If you've never run on the beach before, you don't know what you are missing out on! (Disclaimer: a mile on the sand can be a lot tougher than your typical mile, and while I love barefoot running, make sure you gradually train your body for it). Don't expect a PR, but do expect a great workout, beautiful (albeit simple) scenery and lots of fun!

It's not a huge race, as there are only thousand or so runners total (mostly 10K) and there is no significant expo. A handful of businesses do come out and support the event (and this is often a great way to find fitness minded local business). The run itself is simple. There is no way you can get lost with only one turn at the halfway point. There are a handful of aid stations to keep you hydrated, and while there are no restrooms on the course itself, a short detour off the sand will bring you to public facilities along the course if necessary.

Seriously don't expect a PR here. It's a great run. It's a challenge. And it's a great afterparty! Where else do you get post race mimosas, leis and a live Hawaiian band on the beach? You'll also leave with a nice short sleeve short, cool medal (seahorse this year) and possibly a conch shell overall or age group award. This is another race that I can see myself running pretty much every year! Break out of your ordinary, and enjoy a fantastic run on the beach!

More on my experience at this race is on my blog at:
http://konfedence.com/2018/05/pure-bliss-%e2%80%a2-usa-beach-running-championship-cocoa-beach-fl-usa/

The Cleveland Marathon was a solid race that I'd gladly return for in the future. I'm the type of crazy runner that enjoys challenge series - and Cleveland offers that as well. This year though, I stuck to just the marathon. I arrived early and spent a good deal of time at the expo. It was conveniently located right at the downtown convention center. The packet pickup was smooth, with standard shirts, There was a good assortment of products to sample and buy, and a handful of other races to check out. All of the volunteers and race staff I interacted with were friendly and helpful (disclaimer: I was one of the volunteers too)

My goal was to use this for a BQ. The course had some hills that were challenging for this South Florida runner, but in the grand scheme of things they really weren't that bad. They also had a solid team of pacers at all levels - as fast as 3:00 for the marathon. With my BQ goal, that was a significant perk. There were parts of the course that were scenic and enjoyable, and a few parts that were a bit more blah. When you are running through downtown, I guess some degree of potholes and construction is to be expected. There were also a few somewhat slippery steel grid bridges. When wet watch your step! Thankfully that was only an issue on a few parts of the course.

Aid stations were frequent and fully stocked. Water, sports drink, gels and even stroopwafels. They were comfortably staffed with energetic volunteers. Overall crowd support was good in the early miles, but waned significantly in the middle before picking back up a bit at the end. That said, this is a large enough race that you are never alone - plenty of other runners conquering the miles at your side. The weather was a bit damp early on, but we ended up getting quite lucky as the morning passed. Overall, the miles just seemed to flow pretty effortlessly.

Once you finish, a solid medal, plenty of food, cold beer and live music greet you at the finish line. Overall this was a solid race that I will never forget - especially since it got me my first BQ! Definitely a great race to run if you are in the area or it otherwise fits into your schedule. I'd have no hesitation to run it again!

More on my experience here is on my blog:
http://konfedence.com/2018/05/so-alive-%e2%80%a2-cleveland-marathon-cleveland-oh/

I knew before the race that this would end up being one of my favorites. This race has that 'something special' that makes it stand out from the rest... the memory of 168 souls taken too early and the resilience of this wonderful city during its darkest hours. This is a race to run over and over and over, that will never get old. It's truly something special!

The expo is filled with a great number of products and services to sample and buy and future races to tantalize us crazy runners. Of particular interest is the Why We Run booth. Stop by and inspire yourself to surpass your limits in honor of those who had that chance taken too soon.

The support from local business and community is incredible from pre-race and through the entire weekend. It's quite impressive how much the city has embraced this event, but it makes perfect sense when considering the cause it supports.

Race day starts right next to the Oklahoma City National Memorial, and begins with a powerful 168 second moment of silence honoring the lives lost in the bombing of 1995. Race corrals are assigned based on anticipated times, and with the sheer size of this event its important to start in the right place as the early miles can be quite crowded. Pacers are available to help get that PR. The course itself has some hills, and the overpass in the first couple miles definitely knocked me a bit off my stride. Overall though it isn't that bad - I'm just not very good at hills.

Where this race excelled was again in community. The locals are out supporting the runners all along the course. Some places like Gorilla Hill are just rocking with crowd energy. And there are plenty of fully stocked, enthusiastically staffed aid stations. Plus local residents manning their own mini driveway aid stations - like I said before, the community here has really embraced this event!

Towards the end of the race you are again reminded why this race exists: along the course are the names of the 168 lost in the bombing. If you are hurting from your miles, their memories may be all you need to find that extra boost to get yourself home. There, at the end of the Oklahoma Standard Stretch, you are greeted by a lively crowd. Lots of energy as you sprint across that finish and collect a beautiful and well deserved medal.

Post race, some solid food, a finishers shirt and even massage awaits you. But you would be remiss if you left without taking advantage of the free entry your race bib provides at the OKC Memorial Museum. This is definitely a race I intend to come back to many, many more times. Except I'm pretty sure I'll be stepping up to the full marathon in the future

For more on my incredible experience with this race check my blog at: http://konfedence.com/2018/04/stronger-together-%e2%80%a2-oklahoma-city-memorial-half-marathon/