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Latest reviews by Shannon Chenoweth
Shannon Chenoweth recommends this race
(2014)
"Beautiful race in the Smoky Mountains"
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Cherokee Harvest Half Marathon was my first race outside of Florida. I was looking forward to running in the mountains, as the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains are my favorites. It is a small town race with beautiful scenery throughout most of the route.
Packet pickup is simply at the race site the day before the race or on race morning. Not much going on there besides getting your bib and shirt. But, I didn't go into this one expecting any sort of expo. The shirt was a long sleeve tech pull-over half zip which is great. You also got a beanie and nice drawstring bag. I'd say it's some of the better race swag I've gotten.
Race morning, I got there with enough time to park and do a restroom stop (inside an actual bathroom, not a port-o-let!). I then lined up at the start with everyone else. The group wasn't large at all, this race is definitely the smallest I've done thus far. The race announcers greeted the runners with a prayer, and the National Anthem was sung. With that, the gun went off and the race began.
I was always at the back of the pack of this race. As a slower runner who does the Galloway run/walk/run method, I'm used to being toward the back, but there's also usually people behind me as well. I put on my iPod (which I only use during races I run solo), and did my interval thing. At this point, there were still some runners around me. I was with fellow runners for I'd say more than half the race easily. It wasn't until the last 5k that I found myself toward the very back after taking a fall.
Post-race, they had quite the offerings. As a vegan, I don't tend to get much during post-race festivities, but they had some vegetarian options at Cherokee. I had an amazing brownie, which I thanked the catering crew for. It was delicious!
The medal for this race was also unique, it's made of wood, not metal like most races have. I think that makes it stand out as well, and it is fitting for the location of the race. I would say if you are looking for a smaller race, check this one out! Less for one hill (which is like a half mile long), it's actually pretty flat for North Carolina.
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Shannon Chenoweth recommends this race
(2014)
"Fun, local 5k"
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I have run this race for the past three years now and love it. Now that I live about 5 minutes away from the race start, it is a must-do race. The only downside is that this race can be pretty warm due to the time of year. Otherwise, it is a great fun run.
The race starts by the Orlando Science Center and makes its way around the Florida Hospital area which includes two lakes before coming back to the finish at Orlando Cultural Park. It's a scenic 5k around a great part of Orlando.
A perk of this race is a nice medal at the end, since it's the first of Track Shack's Running Series races. It's rare to get a medal for a 5k, and this one always has a great one for your collection.
I definitely recommend this 5k if you are a local to the area, or happen to be in town race weekend. Track Shack puts on the best races in Central Florida.
Check out my blog review from the 2013 race here: http://girlsgotsole.com/blog/race-report-2013-celebration-of-running-5k/
Shannon Chenoweth recommends this race
(2014)
"Winter Park Road Race"
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This was my third time running the Winter Park Road Race and this is usually my favorite local 10k. There are lots of 5ks through the year, but the 10k distance is harder to come by.
Overall, it's an awesome race and I love it (heck, I've come back two more times :) ). The only bad part is the amount of brick roads that you have to run. Winter Park is a beautiful place to run and this race really gives you the opportunity to enjoy a good deal of it.
There isn't an expo, as it's a little local race and you pick up your packet at Track Shack or race morning. There are plenty of water and aid stations throughout the race. The post-race is always fun. Lots of fruit (bananas, strawberries, etc) to be had, as well as local businesses offering samples like Planet Smoothie and there is beer available.
Lots of perks! You not only get a medal, but this year (and they have done it in previous years) you also were given a wine glass. I can't recommend this race more. Like I previously said, the only downside is the brick roads, but if you are prepared for them, it's not an issue. Also, it's all worth it in the end.
Shannon Chenoweth recommends this race
(2014)
"WDW Marathon"
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This was my third marathon and while it ended up being my slowest time-wise, I really enjoyed the experience. Disney races are best when you run them with friends and set out to have a good time, which is just what I did.
The marathon goes through all of the Walt Disney World parks as well as a good deal of the back areas and Osceola Parkway. My favorite parts are definitely going down Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom, as well as running through the castle. I also enjoyed running through the other parks. You also run on the Speedway and a good deal of the ESPN Sports Complex. The latter is my least favorite of the course route, but that's simply because you spend a good deal of time there.
There are plenty of water stops, aid stations and support throughout the course which is great. Just like all Disney races, you can stop and take character photos as well if you want. I have yet to do it, but I have been tempted!
The finish line is just what you expect and want from Disney. In fact, I was greeted by Donald himself and got a high-five right before crossing the finish line. Definitely a fun time!
Please check out my full, more detailed review on my blog of this race:
http://girlsgotsole.com/blog/race-report-2014-wdw-marathon/
Shannon Chenoweth recommends this race
(2013)
"The Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer"
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The 26.2 with Donna was my first-ever marathon and the race that I will forever be running until I can no longer run. :)
The race has both a full marathon and a half marathon. I had heard about the 26.2 with DONNA through my Galloway training group and knew that it had to be my first marathon. The 26.2 with DONNA is a private non-profit organization in Northeast Florida producing the only marathon in the U.S. dedicated solely to raising funds to end breast cancer. One hundred percent of raised funds and race proceeds for all 26.2 with DONNA events go to breast cancer research and care.
When I arrived at the expo the day before the race, I immediately knew this race was like no other. The expo is first-class and is just amazing. It's still my favorite race expo and I now look forward to it every year. There are all kinds of vendors, not just products, but informative ones that are there to educate about breast cancer and other forms of the horrible disease. I left the expo ready for the race the next morning and feeling even more excited about it.
The race itself in one word: AMAZING. There are Galloway pacers (which you can meet at the expo) which you can line up with at the start and they are with you through every mile. These are the folks that were a big part of helping ease my fears on race morning.
Along the course, the spectator and community support is like no other. It is as if the entire city of Jacksonville comes out to cheer on the runners of the event. I felt so much love and support from start to finish. The spectators even have snacks and drinks for the runners! This is in addition to the actual race aid stations. Talk about a stand-out community!
The year I ran this race, it was freezing cold, as it was in the early 30s with some pretty harsh headwinds, but that didn't stop us all from braving it. When you are on the course, you are right out there with breast cancer survivors and that is extremely motivating. If they can not only get through fighting that horrible disease, but also get out there and run a marathon, you know you can get through the miles.
I finished this race and my emotions were a plenty. It was an amazing experience that while I try to put into words, I feel they are just never quite good enough. Every marathon is an awesome accomplishment for every runner, but there's just something about the 26.2 with DONNA that I experienced on that day that is like no other race. I can only tell people that they HAVE to do this race, if not the full marathon, the half marathon. Get out there and experience the love and greatness that this race is.
My full race report on my blog:
http://girlsgotsole.com/blog/race-report-26-2-with-donna/