Latest reviews by Tim

(2013)
"No better way to start Memorial Day Weekend"
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WHAT WAS AWESOME ABOUT THIS RACE?
The race organizers really spent a lot of time improving the post-race experience. I don't experience it a lot, but the runner refresh area probably gets crowded on the Soldier Field concourse. In years past after we watched everyone finish, we rushed back to our car so we could start tailgating. This year, they expanded everything. The Gatorade and water was spread out leading up to the medal presentation, which had the nice touch of being passed out by active military members instead of volunteers. The nice touch were the runner refresh bags, which makes it easier to carry all of your stuff post-race and controls how much food people get after the race, which must make the organizers happy as well. The "tailgate area" once again grew thanks to offering free beer for the first time in a long time and a real band. Instead of nothing or, possibly even worse, Michelob Ultra, participants got a free can of 312 brewed by Goose Island. The post-race band was Soul Asylum, which was a little pass my time but my uncles loved it. Of course at the end of the day, as long as they let us tailgate in the parking lot, they win in my book.
WHAT WASN'T SO AWESOME ABOUT THIS RACE?

Honor this one year and I won't have anything to complain about. I'm also not happy that my watch didn't link up to any satellites, but that is not the race's fault. That is my fault. A little background on this though, the easiest way to park is to go the way we do. For some reason, local officials are convinced this is not true. If it is true, don't publish a parking map that agrees with us and not with local officials. We show up early enough that it's not a huge deal, but we lose 20 minutes every year on this. I also wish they had done some stuff for the runners who just completed their 10th Soldier Field 10 Miler. It is a greedy request because I was one of the many that have done all 10 and I have done other races that have honored these people with special bibs, t-shirts, and more. What did we get? A hash tag.

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(2013)
"Old School Half Marathon"
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WHAT WAS AWESOME ABOUT THIS RACE
Bravo everyone! I feel like everyone is on the same page now and "gets it." On the CGBM side, they organized great course marshals and aid station volunteers to make this a top notch race. The people at inCompetition realized that people actually do wear their shirts around town and like shirts that look like they weren't on close-outs. The shirts were by the far the best they have been for a while. Course host UWGB had a few perks for the course including closing off Main Entrance Drive and opening the golf course restaurant for the race crowd. I'm glad all the parties involved realized that this event is taking off and will continue to grow and add stuff like this.

WHAT WASN'T SO AWESOME ABOUT THIS RACE
I don't have a lot to complain about since when you pay $20 for a race, you say thank you and take what you can get. I felt like the spread was good enough with bananas and bagels. When you pay $20, a lot of the sexier features like clocks at every mile and a chip start and finish instead of just a chip finish would be nice. The golf course restaurant just opened but with the golf course still partially covered with snow, the restaurant was not fully functional a.k.a the sandwich plate lacked chips and the taps weren't hooked up. That's complaining just to complain though. I would like to see some kind of medal in the future though.

For more, check out my blog entry: http://tkmarathonman.blogspot.com/2013/04/race-report-dick-lytie-spring-classic.html

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(2013)
"View from the Front is very chocolatey"
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WHAT WAS AWESOME ABOUT THIS RACE?

I have kissed the ass of Seroogy's on this blog before and they are easily the best title sponsor of any race I do. However, the neighbors of Seroogy's get my praise this year. The City of De Pere turned this into a mini-festival with bars, restaurants, and stores opening up with the race. I went to a local bar afterwards because who can turn down an early morning beer. McGeorge's was one of the many bars that had drink and food specials all to entice runners and their families to stop in after the race. The owner said he was shocked about how many runners showed up for cheesy eggs and bloody marys. After running the Edison Park Turkey Trot for several years, I'm not shocked.

WHAT WASN'T SO AWESOME ABOUT THIS RACE?

They might need to do satellite parking somewhere with a shuttle and I'm sure the strip mall by Seroogy's agrees. The race is taking over the whole area and I'm sure the Shopko and the other tenants aren't crazy about their stores only being used as a parking lot and warming station. I hope the race gets bigger as I don't see it as being crowded until you decided to get some sweets after the race. Midwest Sports Events just needs to address some of the growing pains this great holiday tradition is demanding.

For more, check out my blog entry: http://tkmarathonman.blogspot.com/2013/02/race-report-seroogys-valentines-day-run.html

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(2012)
"One great half and one ok half equals one good marathon "
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WHAT WAS AWESOME ABOUT THIS RACE?

Rock 'n' Roll knows how to get great people along the course and just knows how to get people jacked up for a race. The energy at the start line was awesome. Everyone was talking to each other and wish people good luck. People were dancing to the music being played over the PA. The pep squads were awesome and the aid stations were enthusiastic as well. I find myself at Rock 'n' Roll events a sillier runner, which makes my five minute PR.even more shocking. I was giving kids high-fives left and right. I celebrated with an aid station when I pulled off a trick shot throwing away a Gatorade cup. For a quarter mile at mile 20.5 , I ran with an entire pep squad. I had a lot of fun just running, but I will admit that feeling good the whole race helped too.

WHAT WASN'T SO AWESOME ABOUT THIS RACE?

I don't feel like rehashing my course rant. A cliff notes version would be too simply move the split up from mile 13 to an earlier mile marker and make the course more of a loop, My other complaint is the merchandise. I get it: runner's like running stuff. However, some people like cotton shirts too. I would argue that finisher shirts should always be cotton shirts. If you're wearing your race shirt, it should be assumed that you finished. I can't imagine wearing a shirt of a race I didn't finish. This means you're allowed to do this and people won't get pissed. Also, $34 for a shirt. I know rock stars can do this, but runners have already invested a lot into a race like this. I felt like the Series was trying to capitalize on people's emotions and charge top dollar for something we have too many of as it is.

For more, check out my blog entry: http://tkmarathonman.blogspot.com/2012/10/race-report-rock-n-roll-st-louis.html

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(2012)
"It's Official: Fleet Feet Chicago does the holidays right!"
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WHAT WAS AWESOME ABOUT THIS RACE?

Everything. It is very easy to say you're going to do a Halloween race and do everything the same way you do every race. Give Fleet Feet credit and let's look where they Halloween-ed things up:

•Music on the course-->Fear Zones
•Music at the start--> Halloween music
•Attire-->Halloween costumes
•Beer at the finish-->.Goose Island (locally brewed) Harvest Ale
•Awards--> Fall fixtures in our diets: pies and caramel apples
•Decor--> Halloween decorations and fog machines
•Post-Race Party--> Fall themed choices from Goose Island and Ghostbusters on the big screen.

WHAT WASN'T SO AWESOME ABOUT THIS RACE?

The things I would complain about are things that we could have fixed if we decided to not go to the Northwestern game. We could have not paid $20 at the Lincoln Park Zoo lot if we showed up earlier. We could have had not rushed so much if it wasn't for the traffic from the game. This was a great race and any problems I would have are more user errors that anything else. This includes me putting down a Medium for a race I knew gave out long sleeve shirts, which is large country for me.

For more, check my blog entry: http://tkmarathonman.blogspot.com/2012/10/race-report-pumpkins-in-park-5k.html

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