Latest reviews by Jared

(2014)
"Whoops"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

I put this as 2014 when it should have been 2013. Sorry. I have no idea how to delete a review. See my other review...

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(2014)
"Want to PR?"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

Do you want to PR? Then do this course. The only hills are at the Museum Campus and that one out of place hill later on down the trail. That's it. In addition, it's out and back, so you really only have one turn. Forget the tangent.

I was very skeptical of this race, as any race along the LFT. Really, it was a good race. Nothing fancy. Don't expect awesome refreshments during nor after. You go, you race, you PR, and you go home. Enjoy the nice Chicago scenery and you can't beat this city in the spring. The t-shirt sucked.

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(2014)
"Not as bad as everyone complains"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

I thought this was going to be a complete mess with all the people there. What, 25,000 people? They had several waves and I accidentally put my 5k time down, placing me ahead of the pack. It was a decent race. They shut down several streets, which is always the indicator of a good race for me. Keep in mind, there are a TON of people and you will have some crowded parts. Also, your company will certainly make or break the race for you. Ours had an open bar. No complaints from me :)

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(2014)
"As good as it gets"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

This is it. It's the cream of the crop! The race is about 50,000 people. You want hills? You got'm, but not TOO many! How about high elevation? Oh, you're a mile high, baby! The race starts out that I signed up at the last minute, so I had to pick up my bib at the race. I was nervous. Normally, I like to have it ready the night before. So, we wake up uber early and head to the park'n'ride. Seems inconvenient? No, not at all! A total breeze and we're there with plenty of time to spare. I get my bib and they were smart enough to give me a t-shirt bracelet so that I don't have to carry my swag with me through the race. If you have stuff, no worries! For $2, FedEx will deliver it to the end!

The race is amazingly organized. They must have over 50 waves. If you want to be in a qualifying pace wave, you need to submit proof that you can run that fast. Good news for those of you that get stuck behind people who choose an arbitrary pace. Once they start those waves, it's boom-boom-boom, one-after-another, right on time. Who fired the gun? None other than resident and former gold medalist Frank Shorter! Okay, time to hit the course.

I started out quickly. Probably not a good idea. I was in Boulder for a few days, but we were still pretty far up in altitude. Honestly, for the size of the race, I thought that the crowds would be amazing. Sure, there were slip'n'slides and singing Elvises (Elvae?), but not a HUGE crowd screaming and cheering. But, then you realize that you're in BOULDER, fittest city on the planet, and everyone is running the darn thing!

There are some hills. Nothing completely breaking. At one point, they have a sign with the course "peak" to let you know that it's mostly down hill. Well, up until the final stretch. You have to scuttle up a pretty rough section into the stadium. By the time I hit the finish line, I was spent.

At the finish line, they hand out a lunch bag and beers. Then, they have an expo area where vendors hand out countless amounts of free food, drinks, and samples. Finally, you head to the stands to wait for the elites. They start around 11:30am and the walkers are STILL making their ways to the finish line. Will they make it? Who knows!! Spoiler: they do and at the last possible minute. You're watching the women and men elites on the jumbotron while seeing the helicopter in the distance. Everyone erupts in cheers as they round the bend and finish along the field. Then, I got to the airport as quickly as possible.

Great race! Bucket list ESSENTIAL.

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(2014)
"SHAME!"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

The course was completely flooded in water that was trapped there from the packed snow on the sides. Too many people jammed on icy, flooded cement. Did the race organizers think about this or did they only care about the money they were obviously making? I loved the almost hypothermia. Could have set up some heating areas? Shirt sucked, although I love my penguin hat. Hot chocolate was good, too.

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