Red Shoe Half Marathon & 5k. (5k review) Sunday May 3, 2015. 9 am. Cloudy, raining at start 59 degrees, humid.

Registration: Available online, then closed the day before the race. However you could register on race day. Price range for 5k increased as race got closer from $20-$30. I registered on race day, I only got a bib with timing strip. However I don't mind supporting my local Ronald McDonald House.

Expo / Packet Pick up: There was no expo. You could pick up your packet Friday before at the Ronald McDonald House, Saturday at Scheels and on the day of the race at Carver Hawkeye Arena.

Pre-Race: There were multiple events taking place, and each race was at a different start time. So as each race started there were announcements and music on a loud speaker given by a local DJ / radio station. The half marathon started at 8 am, the one mile at 8:10, Ronald's fun run at 8:45, following up with the 5k at 9. There was plenty of free parking in the nearby lots, as the race starts at a sporting venue. There were real flush toilets available in Carver Hawkeye Arena.

Participants were told to line up, no corrals, or no encouragement to line up according to pace. No National Anthem. A countdown and we were off.

Race / Course: The 5k takes place on paved roads through the Manville Heights area of town, a loop - out and back style course.

-Mile markers
-paved / asphalt, minimal potholes
-road was open to traffic, but course clearly marked with cones
-no spectators on the course, many near the start / finish
-no on course photographers, but a drone was taking aerial photos near the start / finish
-one water stop (was too involved in running to pay attention to paper or plastic cups)
- Rolling hills, nothing too steep. Was a ramp to cross a major highway. Not flat

Finish / Post Race: Finish was marked for 5k or half, follow the sign. An Arch, timing mat and clock were there. Then the food was immediate next, no finishing chute. Bagels, bananas, orange slices, sliced apple packs, orange juice, donuts, cupcakes, bars, fruit snacks, cupcakes, and chocolate milk. A small bottle of water was handed to each participant after they crossed the finish. There were big cardboard containers marked for recycling or trash.

Awards were given to overall winners and AG winners.

Overall: nice community event, great food spread, not a bucket list race, but a great charity to support.

Pictures and my personal thoughts on the blog https://marathang.wordpress.com/2015/05/04/red-shoe-5k-2015/

I returned to Roanoke, VA with the crew to conquer the marathon for a third time.

Registration: This was available online through the website. IF you followed the race on social media there were a lot of promotions and discounts available. There were 3 race distances to choose from 10k, 13.1 and 26.2. Each race cost increased as race day approached. Included with registration was a tech shirt, chip timing, personalized bib with QR code, socks, post race beer, and free race day photos.

Expo: Small expo and packet pick up was held at the City Market building. Bib pick up was outdoors, and then you went inside to get your shirt. Could also get your feet analyzed. Small shop set up by Fleet Feet. Some freebies.

Pre-race: We stayed a hotel nearby so we were able to park at their lot. However the race starts in the downtown area and you have to find a spot in a ramp, probably walk a block or so to the start. This year they had coffee shops open and coffee at the start, WAHOO!! There were also lots of port-o-potties, but you needed to be in line early to assure you could use it before the race start.

There were many announcements over a speaker before the race. Participants for all races were encouraged to line up in the corrals they had provided, which were just pace per mile signs. The national anthem was sung live, and then a large air horn sounded and the race started.

Race / Course: The race goes through parts of the city and the Blue Ridge Parkway, climbing Roanoke Mtn, Mill Mtn and Peakwood, for a total elevation change of 7,430. (The shorter races split off from the marathon)
* all miles marked with a sign, and a fun saying
* many aid stations, water and Gu Brew (although volunteers kept calling it Gatorade) paper cups
* 4/5 food stations with pretzels, bananas, gummis and oranges
* lots of spectator aid stations - which usually are hard to trust, but all seemed reputable; There is a Mimosa stop after mile 13, the last climb, Peakwood has a party on the top with beer & champagne
* an iced coffee stop
* wet cloth stop
* not a lot of spectators, but every spectator on the course was so nice and very energetic
* photographers on course
* Medic on the course
* 99.9% on paved surface, small trail section around mile 12/13. All hazards marked
* all busy intersections with law enforcement, small intersections did not have a volunteer
* Elevation, lots of climbing and descending
* Great scenery, mountain views, looking over the city
* After you come out of the parkway, you run back in the city, and there is not much shade, at the end of the race it was hot

Finish line was clearly marked with an arch and timing clock. The race directors stands at the finish and shakes each persons hand after the cross the line. A volunteer hands you a medal and another gives you a bottle of water.

Post race: Small food tent with pizza, bagels, and bananas. Pools of ice filled with soda, water and chocolate milk. There was more happening at the nearby amphitheater, food trucks and craft beer tapper trucks to redeem your post race beer. Awards were given in the amphitheater. There was not much shade or cover provided, had to sit in the grass for shade.

There was to be some live music and a bigger concert that evening at the amphitheater, so people were kicked out of this area for a sound check. I believe the times were announced for the area to be closed, but they were shooing us out early. The last few marathon finishers were not allowed their free beer. Not cool.

Overall: Always a great race, but tough! The people of the community make this possible, it's why we keep coming back. Put this one on your list!

Make sure to check out my blog for a personal look at the race, photos and Go Pro video. www.marathang.wordpress.com

Saturday, April 25, 2015. Georgetown, KY. 5:30 pm. Cool 50 degrees, cloudy

Fundraiser for area elementary schools, lots of kids

Registration: Available online and on race day. $25 range. Included with registration cotton short sleeve unisex shirt, chip timing and a swag bag with flyers, frisbee, toothbrush and a pen.

Pre-Race: There was plenty of parking nearby. Bathrooms were available in the nearby college buildings. Due to the later start time, participants were arriving early. The announcer was doing his best to keep participants – mostly kids entertained. There were a few announcements about lining up according to pace, but kids some how never hear those. Then the announcer said go and the race started.

Race/Course: The race was held on the city streets near Georgetown College.

*paved streets with lots of potholes
*hills, rolling hills
*miles were marked
*volunteers at most intersections
*photographer at the finish
*one water stop with plastic cups
*no medics
*very few spectators

Finish / Post Race: An archway marked the finish and the announcer was speaking names. You could get your time on a note card. The results were posted as soon as they had them. Random prizes which were awarded via facebook were given. There was lots of food, bars, bananas, Popsicles and water. Awards were given once all participants had finished.

Overall: A nice fundraiser, nothing too special that puts this on a bucket list. Great to see lots of kids being active.

Head over to my blog for photos and my personal account. http://wp.me/p3CgRX-Xj

This is the second year I have ran this race. Review is similar to last year.

Doc Dash 5k, Saturday March 28, 2015. Iowa City, IA 9 am. Sunny 30 degrees

Small town feel, 5k which supports the Iowa City Free Medical Clinic and the University of Iowa Mobile Clinic.

Registration was available online and on race day. Starting at $20, then up to $30 on race day. Cotton shirts were $6 extra. Chip timing, and a bib included.

Parking available in nearby parking ramp (for a fee), or about 1/4 mile away in Dental lot. Packet pick up the day before and on race day.

I had Josh grab my race number on his way home from work, as he drove right by. They gave him a bag full of flyers. While it's nice to promote other races, I would appreciate if I could pick the flyers I want, so much paper waste.

Also held a kids race before the 5k

There was no National Anthem, but some announcements were made. I did not hear anything that was said, a combination of very talkative people and some DJ that didn't turn off the music. I did hear the siren for the start, and as everyone moved forward, so did I.

Race/course – road and sidewalk, all paved surface. A couple of steep hills. One water stop with tiny paper cups. My Garmin had the course at 3.08. It was a little crowded, but not too bad. No mile markers, but arrows on sidewalk & signs to mark the route, and there was a volunteer at mile 1. One major road intersection with volunteers, no law enforcement.

There was some construction happening on the course, some cement trucks emitting some diesel fuel, so that wasn't too pleasant. However, it is something you can't avoid when the weather is nice.

Post race: bananas, bagels, Gatorade, coffee, water. A long line formed to gain access to this, but moved quickly. No award ceremony, as there was a problem with the results and the computer. Raffle prizes given to those who commented on the facebook page.

For the price and challenge of the course, I would recommend this race. Results

Personal: Ahh, a return to racing. I posted one of my worst 5k times in a long time. According to the results though, 8th in my new age group. However 2 weeks post ultra and a week with the flu, I will take it. I coughed the entire time, spitting and snot rockets galore! However I found Shannon & Dave during the race and got to run with them, which made it really enjoyable. Good luck to them on their Warrior Dash tomorrow!

I also have a hard time passing on a race in my hometown, no hotel fees, etc. So, I laced my shoes and ran the 3 miles across town to the race. I found a dollar on the way and donated it to the race. I chose to run to the race and back as I need some longer miles with the Blue Ridge Marathon coming up, this was an easy way to get the miles, but not push it too hard.

The race itself was alright, nothing too special about it as far as gimmicks. Just a nice small town feel, easy for any ability to accomplish. The facebook page for the organization was very helpful as well. More organizations need to utilize free social media.

I also had a nice time catching up with some local runners. I love the running community!

Saturday April 25, cloudy, 50-60 ish, rain. 7:30 am. Louisville, KY

Registration: Available online and with a paper application to be capped at 18,000 runners.There was a full marathon, half marathon and marathon relay. There was also a bib transfer program for $20 if you couldn't run. If you missed the registration deadline, you could pick up a charity bib at the expo for $125, available to 250 people. Included with your fee was a bib with timing chip, gender specific tech shirt, and a prefilled (gear check) bag of flyers and promotional items.

Expo: Was held at the Convention center in downtown Louisville. There was pay parking available in ramps an on the street. The expo was held on 2 days, as there was no same day packet pick up. Bibs and shirts were separate from the vendor area.

The expo was set up so you had to follow a maze like system to exit the exhibition hall. There were many vendors selling things from clothing, race entries to showers.

Pasta Party: $20 ticket for dinner. Included were marinara pasta, alfredo pasta, salad, bread, and derby pie. You could also get a free beer, Mich Ultra or Budweiser. Also included was a Louisville Slugger muddler and a pasta scoop.

Pre-Race: Parking available in ramps for $5 near the start/finish area. Gear check available with provided clear bag. Many port-o-potties available on side streets to the corrals. There were 7 corrals, preassigned on your bib, according to submitted time. Not sure if there were any special announcements of if the National Anthem was played. My corral just started moving forward and we started.

Race/ Course: The race snaked through downtown Louisville, passing by notable landmarks (Louisville Slugger, Churchill Downs, University of Louisville)
*Paved roads, some potholes. Asphalt was slippery with the rain, especially the painted areas.
*All miles marked with a banner
*Water stops in blue paper cups, Blue Powerade stops in a different blue paper cup
*Many stops with oranges, but couldn't tell if they were all affiliated with the race
*MarathonFoto on the course
*Flat - steepest incline / decline was going through tunnels
*Energetic spectators
*Volunteers at all intersections
*Pacers for the Full
*Medical tents on the course
*DJ's on the course

inish / Post Race: The finish was well marked with an arch, the announcer was calling out names. Once done, you could grab a mylar blanket, then you were given your medal, (different for each distance) and told to keep moving. Then there were cups of water, bottles of blue Powerade, then a short walk to food. Bananas, Sun Chips, Belvita, bagels, peanut butter crackers and chocolate milk. The area was super crowded, a combination of people staying under the bridge to stay dry and limited space due to construction.

There was an open field with a band playing on the stage, and a beer tent to redeem a free Michelob Ultra.

Overall: This is a great race, you get to pass by so many city landmarks, the spectators are great, the volunteers are friendly and the course is flat.

Check out my blog for photos and video https://marathang.wordpress.com/2015/04/27/kentucky-derby-festival-half-marathon/