This was my second year running Iron Horse Half. It was no less great this year than it was last year. Packet pick-up is held on Saturday at Fleet Feet West Hartford, for only a few hours, and then on race-day morning on-site. Same as last year, there was a bit of a line by the time doors opened for pick-up. In total (standing in line, getting bibs and going next door for t-shirts) it was only about 20 minutes. No big deal - especially compared to some bib pick-up lines I've waited in. I'm looking at you, MCM! The parking lot behind the store is limited, but there is street parking on the surrounding streets.

Race morning many of the businesses adjacent to the start on Iron Horse Blvd allow parking in their lots. There were ample port-o-potties. With there being four separate races (Half, 5k, 10k, and Kids' Run), the start lines can be a wee bit confusing. Last year, being the first time I ran this race, I was totally confused. The starts are staggered along Iron Horse Blvd (away from the field with the tents where everyone gathers). This year they were marked with different color balloon arches - made it a little less confusing. The start times are also staggered. Just be certain you know WHERE and at WHAT TIME your respective races starts.

The races are capped, and typically all sell out. I heard the announcer say 2300 runners for the Half. There's no signs to arrange yourself by pace, it's just kind of a crowd. I just threw myself in about halfway back and didn't have any issue feeling crowded or anything once we started. The course is an odd arrangement in that some of it doubles back on itself. It's all country-type roads and about a mile on a paved path. There's hardly any elevation at all - about 350 feet total. My only complaint about the course is that there are a few stretches that are totally out in the sun with no shade to be had. Early June in CT and get warm, especially when you're nearing 2 hours out there. Along the course there are a few water/gatorade stops and maybe 3 or 4 port-o-potties, at which I never saw more than 2 people waiting.

The race passes by the start at mile 8.2. If you're lucky to be slow enough like myself, you run alongside the lead runner as he's coming in to finish (as was the case this year). The spectator cheering & encouragement after mile 8 is welcomed, as there aren't too many out along the course. Right after this is where you hit paved path. It's great in that it's totally shaded, but can get a little lonesome as the runners thin out, and a full mile there gets a bit lonely.

At the finish, you're given a bottle of water from a bucket of ice (oh, so heavenly), and your well-deserved medal. (Medals for 5k & 10k also.) A little walk back down Iron Horse Blvd to the field, the food ticket on the bib gets you a banana, granola bar, and choice of hot dog or grilled cheese (cooked by local boy scouts). There are a number of tents for local businesses and some food samples. We managed to snag some delicious locally made ice cream on our way back to the car. There was also a tent with chocolate milk made from local CT cows.

Overall a very solid, well-organized race along some scene CT residential roads. Nothing too flashy or glamorous, and not too crowded. A very good vibe as everyone tends to hang out on the grass for the awards presentation after the race and watch the Kids' Race nearby. Thanks Hartford Marathon Foundation!

I raced the Alexandria Running Festival 5k for the second time. (The first being back in 2011 or 12; I forget.) Due to the time of year, it can be HOT. Both races start & finish at the US Patent & Trademark building right on Eisenhower Ave. Races originating here have the bonus of free parking in the garage, which is connected via a walkway. There are indoor flushing toilets available pre- and post-race, along with plenty of Port-o-Johns outside near the start/finish.

I picked up my bib morning of - bonus. Although, signage was virtually nonexistent for the various tables (on-site registration, pre-registered Half, pre-registered 5k, Half t-shirts, 5k t-shirts). Basically take a guess, stand in line, and hope when you get to the table you've picked the right now. Signage could DEFINITELY be improved. Separate lines for bibs and t-shirts could be eliminated too. I registered online some time ago (for a reasonable $30), and I don't recall the registration stating the t-shirts were gender specific. Apparently I had selected "Medium" at the time of registration. When I was given the Women's Medium, I laughed (those women's tech shirts are basically children's sizes) and asked if I could swap for a Large. I was just told "no" by the volunteer, no explanation or apology. On the way out from the pick-up area, someone handed me a water bottle with the charity name on it (Marathon Charity Cooperation). Honestly, I could have gone without the too-small shirt (that will likely get donated) and the water bottle, of which I already have a large collection). Note: This race still used the old-school "toe tags", which makes for quite a bottleneck at the finish line when volunteers are stopping runners to rip them off.

Of the three races, the Half Marathon was scheduled to begin at 7:30 am, the Children's Fun Run at 7:45, and the 5k at 8:00. The Half did not begin until 7:55, but the speaker system outside at the starting line was so poor, it wasn't audible towards the back of the starting pack (where I was waiting with some friends that were running the Half) to hear if there was a reason stated. Without any real introduction or playing of the national anthem (this really turns me off from a race when they can't even play a pre-recorded version), someone literally shouted "GO!" and the Half began. There was some real confusion with the Fun Run due to the sound system being so poor, and the delayed start. There were parents running, dragging their kids up to the start line well after the Fun Run had started. Anyhow, at about 8:15, the 5k was kicked off, with the same lack of fan-fare as the Half.

The 5k course itself is out-and-back along Eisenhower Ave. There is little to no shade, little to nothing to look at/distract you, and virtually zero spectators. The only thing the course has going for it is the lack of elevation change. Garmin recorded a total of 18 feet of gain over the whole course. There is one overpass early on (which consequently, is nearly at the end on the return), but it isn't much. There was one water/Gatorade stop that seemed amply supplied/manned. The race ends just as uneventfully as it begins. In talking with friends who have run the associated Half, I believe the course is just as unimpressive as the 5k. There are finisher's medals for the Half and Fun Run, but not 5k

Post-race water outside at the finish. Inside was pretzels/chips, fruit, bagels etc. With the majority running the Half, there was obviously plenty to select from for the 5k finishers. Without much going on, I left shortly after drinking my water and half bagel. Parking garage - easy in/easy out.

Overall, a very "meh" race at best. If it is local to you, and you are able to shut off your brain or imagine the scenery is better than it is, it's worth the relatively low registration fee. The 5k course is definitely one for a PR, but for Memorial Day weekend, you're certainly at the mercy of Mother Nature.

I'll start by saying this is my third time running the Cox Providence Rhode Race Half Marathon. In 2013, this was my very first Half Marathon ever. Since then, I have run 9 other Half Mary's, today making my 11th Half. Obviously it's a good race - it got me hooked on the distance!

I picked up my packet at the expo on Saturday around 1 pm. Pick-up was in the Omni Hotel downtown in Providence (about a block or two from the race start/finish). Easy peasy. There is plenty of parking between metered street parking, Convention Center garage, mall garage, etc. My only complaint is that the signage once inside the hotel could have been expanded. It is a large hotel, also hosting a cheerleading competition the same weekend, in a different ballroom. We ended up asking an employee to direct us to the right spot, so no big deal. Some additional signs could have make it a little easier to find. Bib and t-shirt pick-up were super quick and no fuss. The expo isn't much to speak of; a few vendors and some local companies. Within a few minutes we were in and out.

Race morning we parked in the Convention Center garage (ended up costing $12) and walked the short two or so blocks to the start. The Full Marathon starts first, then the Half, 5k, and finally Kids Race. There are plenty of port-o-potties at the start. Even 10 or so minutes before the start, there was only a couple minute wait. For whatever reason, there was a delay in both the Full & Half starts, but communication was excellent during the wait. I appreciate that each race kicks off after a separate singing of the National Anthem.

Even with a decent-size crowd (just over 1550 Half runners), it thins out very quick and never really felt crowded. There were pacers available for the Half (as well as the Full), although that's not usually my thing. After a very harsh winter, the roads in Providence are in quite bad shape. There were quite a few "obstacles" along the way, but that's to be expected in a street race though a city. The course is a mix of a little city, a little residential, a little park (India Point), and quiet roadway by the water. With only 330-ish feet of gain, it's pretty tame, but with constant little ups & downs. Enough to keep it interesting.

There was a fair amount of police officers, as well as volunteers out along the course. However, I did not notice much by way of Emergency Medical personnel. I typically carry my water with me, but there were 5 or so water/Gatorade stops. They all appeared to be amply staffed and able to keep up with the demand. The latter were handing out gels. Finish line/start line is at the same point, with an adequate supply of water, bananas, pizza, and mini Cliff Bars. Once again, the finisher medals are spot-in, also serve as a beer opener! One complimentary Narragansett beer available to those of age.

This year, the weather could not have been better. It was absolutely beautiful to run, and not too warm. There is an okay amount of spectators along the course, as there were the last two years. I have no real complaints about this race at all. It is a very solid, well-organized event. Results were posted online within a few hours of the finish, and photos are supposed to be complimentary. If interested, keep an eye out for a coupon code offered later on in April - I think I only paid $35 entry for this great event.

Great communication from the race prior to (where to park, where to pick up bibs, etc.). There were even hotels with a discounted rate for the race. After checking into one of the hotels with the race rate, the manager told me the shuttle (which was advertised to bring you to/from the race) driver might be in early enough to bring people to the race. Also, there might be some food out early enough for breakfast (also advertised). We opted to stop at the grocery store and get our own race morning breakfast, as well as drive and park ourselves. The race identified multiple locations to park for both packet pick-up and for race day. The packet pick-up (which they highly encouraged everyone to attend on Saturday to avoid lines Sunday) did not open at 11am as scheduled. There was roughly 100 people waiting at 11am while they "got ready". I was not impressed. They kept calling packet pick-up "The Expo", which turned out to be nothing more than 3 or 4 local business tents, a few samples, and only one race clothing vendor. Very disappointing. The race emails were very clear to bring your ID to packet pick-up to get a wrist band for your two complimentary beers (race was sponsored by Shipyard Brewery), and there would be two tear-off tickets on your bib. There were no such tickets, and when some runners asked the race director, he didn't have a clue what "tickets" we were speaking of.

Jump to race morning - there were maybe two dozen port-a-johns for 3500 runners. Hardly adequate. Plus they were allowing cars to drive through the port-a-john lines in order to get to some special parking, right up until the race started. This was the first sizable race I've done that did not play the National Anthem prior to starting. Not even a pre-recorded version.

The race started out with a quick turn, then everyone was funneled into a "runners lane", which was cones and caution tape creating maybe an 8 foot wide lane down the middle of the road. Basically cramping everything for the first mile and a half. Somewhere along the course, the lead cyclist led the front-most 300 runners or so off the course, causing them to cut the course and not run the full 13.1 miles. I wasn't aware of this until after the fact, as I was nowhere near the first 300 runners. The course was hilly, as advertised. The views were not as great as I thought they would be. The majority of the course was not shaded, and the low tide combined with passing the water treatment plant made some of it quite unpleasant. The water stops were frantically trying to fill cups and could not keep up with the runners. I'm baffled how a race with a capped field size runs out of bottled water at the finish line, but this one did - from what I understand was the second year in a row. There was pizza, beer and soda at the finish line, but not your usual pretzels, bagels, or fruit slices.

The race director issued an apology two days after the event, explaining the cyclist leading some runners off-course. I feel there were many issues that could be tolerated for a first-year event, but this one has been around a few years.

Pro's: course preview video, excellent pre-race email communication, ample available parking, great finisher's medal, cold towels at finish (for some), 7am race start, free race pictures

Con's: bib pick-up did not open on time, confusion with beer tickets, not enough port-a-johns, unnecessary "runners lane" preventing race flow, delay at water stops, running out of bottled water at finish, lead cyclist leading runners off-course, lack of regular snacks at finish line, course mostly in direct sunlight