This was my first time running this race. Everything about the race was perfect! Good parking, good place to wait till start of race! Crowds were awesome through Chapel Hill. I took in all the beautiful houses and scenery. The whole course was so pretty. This was one of the hardest races I have ever run. SO MANY HILLS! I was injured for this race so I did not go for speed just to run and enjoy. Thought the hills would kill me but I ran them all! The last hill where they time you was so hard but totally worth experiencing!

This was my first ever half marathon! So for that reason only I will never forget this race. The one thing I do not like about it is parking and having to get there very early. This year in 2019 it was freezing so we had to sit outside for over an hour in the freezing cold. I was a bottle of nerves setting off but quickly settled into a groove. I am not a fan of the Tobacco Trail because for me I get bored out there. I would much rather have lots of things to look at. I do like that there is not hills and course is flat. The one cool thing is it is an out and back so you go out turn around.....I loved cheering on the very very fast people who were already on there way back. That was so inspiring and motivating! Also, you are in pretty close quarters with everyone so you really do feel like you are all in it together. I remember a girl tripping and she kind of rolled down a little hill. A few of us stopped to make sure she was ok....she was laughing and said go on I am fine. I got a good laugh because it is something I would have done. I loved the last few miles when you come back onto the streets heading to the finish line the crowd is SCREAMING for you. Since it was my first one as soon as I came into the crowds I started crying! Best Experience Ever.

This is always a fun race and I get to run with all my run club friends. It is not super easy as there are lots of hills, but everyone has so much fun. The streets of Raleigh are lined with people cheering because it runs through downtown. It ends with a big party with music and beer. It is usually perfect weather and people dress up.

First 10K race ever! Never did I think I would love racing like this....this was the race that got me hooked on running! I remember being so never and one of my good friends who had been running with me asked do you want me to run and be your pacer? I said what's a pacer? haha
I had no experience racing. He came out ran with me and made sure I finished under an hour. He cheered me on the whole 6 miles. It was hard because I was not used to running all the hills. It was so fun to cross the finish line with him! I will never forget that race! I also remember telling him that was a good distance and that was as far as I wanted to run. I said I don't ever want to run a half marathon. Never say never!!