Latest reviews by Emily White

(2021)
"Flat and Fast Course"
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Parking/Access
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I've done this race many times, but this was my first time doing it in the new downtown location.

There was good communication leading up to the race. Packet pickup is a little out of the way, being located downtown - but I highly recommend taking light rail. It makes pickup a breeze.
Expo was easy to navigate, tons of friendly volunteers (and free hot cocoa!).

Swag this year was a black puffer type lightweight jacket, really nice!

Course is flat and fast, winding through the downtown area. Just a few short inclines. Post race goodies (what everyone is there for), was well organized. The hot chocolate was perfect as it was chilly, and there were plenty of dippers. Only downside is there is no great place to sit or stand to enjoy your goodies after the race.

This race is always a favorite to run or walk (5k or 15k). Medal is vey nice. I recommend this race!

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(2020)
"Will run for Chocolate!"
Overall
Race Management
SWAG
Virtual Support

I have ran this race in person for many years and chose to run the virtual in 2020.
I received my swag within a week or so, and was excited! High quality hoodie, medal, and treat bag that included 2 hot chocolate packs, honey stinger waffle and nuun hydration!

The chocolate was worth it - each packet makes 2 cups so I feel like I scored - it is so rich and decadent. The medal is also nice, with a locket-style compartment.

I would do this again - I was able to get several girlfriends to do this with me, because we all wanted chocolate and swag!

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(2020)
"Motivating challenge for a great cause!"
Overall
Race Management
SWAG
Virtual Support

Team In Training is a cause near and dear to my heart, so I jumped at the chance to participate in this 30 day challenge. It was just the challenge I needed to get my mileage up for the month of September. It was easy to sign up, and a pleasure to spread awareness during Blood Cancer Awareness Month. My activity was easily tracked through Garmin, and automatically uploaded into the dashboard. I got a few girlfriends together, and formed my own team. I would definitely do this again next year!

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(2020)
"Fun, Festive 10K"
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T-Shirts/SWAG
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This race has some uniquely Arizona touches, from a singing cowboy to native american hoop dancers at the start. The scenery is nice, running along the Scottsdale greenbelt, alongside the golf course . It finishes on the field at Scottsdale Stadium, which is a unique experience.

Packet pickup is a breeze, and the post-race food is more than just a banana. Granola bars, chips, fruit bowls, yogurt, and hard seltzer! Race shirts were nice soft technical shirts, which I appreciate. Merging with the 5k participants was a little bit of a bottleneck, but not bad. Overall, this race is very well organized, and I'm sure I'll be back again next year!

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(2019)
"Spectacular run through wine country"
Overall
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This race is fantastic. This year, they moved the start to the same basic area as the finish. It made it SO easy for participants instead of the point to point course.

Packet pickup was Friday afternoon and was also available early saturday morning. At pickup we received our bib and shirt. Also there were craft beer and cider samples, shopping and yoga.

I ran the relay, I was the 2nd runner, and I ended up running about 7.45 miles. I was bussed to the transition point. The course has plenty of rolling hills and a few big ones, but the scenery you pass through - vineyards, pastures, mountains and cows - was beautiful and well worth it. Plenty of water stops along the route. There were a lot of relay runners, and management payed just as much attention to the relay folks as to the regular half marathon runners.

Finishers party is incredible. We received a custom wine glass, and there were unlimited samples from a half dozen local wineries. It was crowded, but their was a live band who really played great music. It would be nice if there was more food available inside the finisher area, even for purchase.

The setting in the Dutch village of Solvang made for the perfect girls or couples getaway. Excellent food and a wide variety of craft beers and wineries makes for plenty to explore. I can't recommend it more!

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