Music City Trail Ultra 50k. Pegram, TN. March 14, 2015. 3rd year for the race.

Registration: This was available online through ultrasignup.com. When I registered it was around $55 with a shirt included, as race day neared the cost rose to $70. This also included a finishers glass, and aid station help. No medals, no chip timing.

"Course Description
WARNING – The Music City Trail Ultra is hard especially for the 50k. We are not saying this to impress you, read some of the reviews from last years runners on our site under the “News” link. If you’re willing to take this challenge and still be humble, we welcome you."

Packet pick-up / expo / pre-race email: The week of the race an email surfaced from the race director. This had information about where and when packet pick-up was located and the general race information. It was a 11 page pdf. It was harsh, but honest, and had us wondering what we were getting into. Things like "add the map to your phone" "it's going to rain" "follow the flags, don't get lost" "bring a positive attitude" "it's not a 50k walk."

There was no expo, this is a small race, maybe 200 people tops. Packet pickup was at a Fleet Feet store near Nashville, the evening before. You could also arrive early to the race and pick up your bib. Once the pick up was open, all we had to do was say our name (no id was asked for and you could pick up someone else's) and we got our shirt and a bib in a bag with a couple of flyers for local companies, which is great if you lived there.

Pre-race: plenty of parking for everyone in the grass pasture. Port-o-potties lined up. Nothing fancy. An announcement was made 10 minutes before the race was to start, saying they would wait for the port-o-pottie line to die down, then they would start.

8:05 am - race announcements were made and runners had to take an oath. Then the race started. We just wanted to finish. We were given 9 hours to attempt our feat.

Course: There were 3 race distances that started at the same time; 12k, 25k & 50k. The shorter distances would eventually turn around or run a different route.

Trail, single track trail, ravines, mud, creeks, leaf covered ground, and some gravel. The terrain was tough, lots of elevation change. Up and down, through creeks, slippery, sloppy and wet. Course was marked with orange flags, some were placed really far apart.The course was a giant loop through a hunting preserve.

There were 6 aid stations (3 out and 3 back) with plenty of water, Gatorade, chips, pretzels, gummis and candy. The volunteers were friendly, but realistic if running slow. Some of them took photos. You were on your own aside from the aid stations.

There were no bathrooms on the course, just nature. No spectators. No mile markers. No medics

Finish: There were finisher pint glasses with the race logo to fill with beer from the local Jackalope Brewing. There were also peanuts, candy, cookies and Gatorade. Pizza was available earlier in the day. The food was all spread out on the porch. There were hand made awards given out long before I arrived.

Overall: As I mentioned I would not run this again. This course is a BEAST!!! I should have taken the warning more seriously, but I am not sure how you train for this crazy terrain. Yes, it's trail, but it was also super wet and muddy, it was also steep, constantly changing elevation. Only recommending If you want to prove how badass you are, do this race!

Check out my personal struggle with this race on my blog https://marathang.wordpress.com/2015/03/24/music-city-trail-ultra/

Twin Cities in Motion, Hot Dash 5k & 10 miler. Saturday, March 7, 2015. Sunny, high 30’s windy. Minneapolis, MN. 9:00am

Registration: Available online, started at $35 and increased as race day approached. However the race sold out, so registration closed, and could not register at packet pick up. Included in registration bib with timing chip, long sleeve tech pullover, beer at post race, hot dish at post race.

Expo / Packet Pick/up: There was no true expo as packet pick up was held at the running store. I had a friend grab my bib and pullover as she lives in MPLS and could stop by one of the Thursday or Friday early pick up dates. You could also grab your stuff on race day starting at 7:30. Emails were sent with bib numbers to assist in picking up materials.

Pre-race: Parking, where do I begin, there was on street parking if you were lucky enough and familiar enough with the area to find it. Otherwise there was a ramp and an open air lot you could pay to park in. The line to get into the ramp was long, the line to pay in the open air lot was long. Planning ahead would have made this an easier process. Parking was also close to the finish line, not the start line. Port-o-potties near the finish. Announcements could be heard on the loud speaker.

Race / Course: The race was run on the streets near the Mississippi river. We went north then turned around came back a ways, crossed the river, then crossed the river back again.

Lots of potholes, but it’s the midwest just after a harsh winter, this is normal. Cobblestones at the end
water & powerade in different paper cups
no photographers on the course, but some near the end
each mile marked with a flag
flat course, incline / decline on bridge crossings
Volunteers at intersections and along the course, as the streets were still open. (If you are driving next to a race course, or humans on the street, SLOW DOWN!)
A few spectators
Scenic in spots, once near the river, otherwise running on city streets
Port-o-potties on the course

Finish / Post Race: The finish was marked with some flags and the clock. The announcer was informing everyone of who was finishing. Once crossed the timing mat, there were bottles of water, bananas, a raisin bread treat, chips and a Pearson Nut Goodie. No medals. The post race festivities were a short walk from the actual finish. Once you were in the post race area, there was canned Finnegan’s Blonde Ale, Hot Dish (which was cold, and very tiny), fire pits, hot chocolate, food for purchase and a photo booth.

There was also a post race awards ceremony, but it was held before the last racer finished. Also held before the end of the race was the best dressed lumberjack and best beard contest.

Overall: Good price for the distance, not a bucket list race, but a good race for the time of year. The parking was the biggest hassle for us.

Check out my blog for photos and my personal race day experience https://marathang.wordpress.com/2015/03/10/hot-dash-10-miler/

Sunday, March, 1 2015. 9 am. Sunny, 20 degrees.

Registration: Available online and on race day. $55 and $60 on race day. Included with registration, gender specific short sleeve tech tee, bib with timing strip, and finisher's medal.

Packet Pick up / Expo: There was no expo prior to the race. Day before packet pick up held at area running store, which was not close to the race start/finish. The store had a basement where all the bibs and shirts were located. Could not exchange shirt size until race day pick up. The running store did have some in store specials. Same day packet pick up an hour before the race.

Pre-race: The start / finish were near a state park, so we were encouraged to park in the back lot of the neighboring high school, however not a lot of people read the information as there were maybe 25 cars in the back lot. There were some vendors set up under tents like a mini expo was happening. It was cold so we didn't plan on time to visit the vendors. There were a bank of port-o-potties. Lots of announcements happening on the loud speaker.

Race / Course: Encouraged to line up near the start banner, there were no corrals, but it was a small race, and no announcement to line up according to pace. After a taped rendition of the National Anthem, the race was underway. (The wheelchair start was minutes before & the 5k started 10 minutes after the half)

* on paved surfaces, no major cracks or potholes to trip over
* paved sidewalk trail was not clear of ice and snow, very slippery in spots
* out and back course, crowded in spots
* each mile was marked with a cardboard sign, some blew over. According to my Garmin some were not correctly placed
* elevation: running in the mile high city, mostly flat course with one hill down on the way out, so had to climb on the way back
* water and lemon lime Gatorade stops, in the same paper cups. Water had ice, due to temperature.
* Confusing if the volunteer didn't shout your option
* One gel stop, but I think they were out when I got there (I don't like them anyway)
* Volunteers at all intersections
* very few spectators
* Boring scenery, parks are pretty but with out & back, get to see it twice - Maybe I am just mad I couldn't see the mountains
* Running on the dam is longer than you think

Finish / Post race: Clock and banner marked the finish, were handed a medal and a bottle of water. If you did the race as part of the run series were also given an additional medal. Times were already posted. Short walk back to the tents and vendor area, here you were handed a plastic bag, then could fill it with a bagel, sport beans, clif bars; it was already full of race flyers and area information. We finally spent a few minutes at the post race expo, spun a wheel for some lip balm, could have gotten a massage, and signed up for discounted CO races.

Overall: Great price, relatively flat course, boring scenery, all the people were really nice and helpful. It's not a bucket list race, and I am not sure I would run this again, but I wouldn't tell someone not to run it.

Check out my blog for pictures and my personal view: https://marathang.wordpress.com/2015/03/05/that-dam-half-2015-recap/

Saturday February 21, 2015. 40 degrees at the start, sun.

Registration: This opens up months before and sells out quickly. Make sure to sit by your computer and hit refresh to be able to register. It's frustrating. It is also pricey. I was doing the 10k as part of the Glass Slipper, which includes the half marathon. Included with registration is a bib, chip timing, and tech shirt, plus character opportunities on the course.

Parking / Transportation: Free parking available at Epcot in lot near start. If you were staying on Disney property a shuttle bus was available. From the parking lot to the race events security was set up searching bags.

Participants were encouraged to gather near the corrals, coffee available, DJ & dance party happening. 30-45 minutes prior to start time we could get to our corrals. Many port-a-potties.

Appeared to be more runners than the 5k.

Start: Corral start. Assigned bibs based on submitted times. Could start in your assigned corral or a lower letter. After the National Anthem, on trumpet, the first corral was off, on time, with a fireworks salute. The next corral started a few minutes later and so on, each with fireworks.

Course / Character stops: Started off on the back roads for a small out and back. The roads were well maintained, no potholes and all hazards or tight spots were marked. Each mile was marked with a sign and clock. Water on the course, in paper cups. Not many spectators as park entrance is limited.

Characters on course: White Rabbit, Fairies, Circus people, Jiminy Cricket, Aristocat cat, Baseball Donald, Princess Minnie, Space Goofy

Finish clearly marked with a banner and clock. Medals placed around your neck. Table for bottled water and Powerade. Proceeded to get finishers photo, then as a Glass Slipper Challenger, we had to walk through a separate tent for some verification, then on to post race banana & snack box. (corn chips, processed cheese dip, applesauce, drink mix, Krave cereal, luna bar and dried fruit)

There were characters available for post race photos, some concessions as well.

Overall: pricey, but fun & flat course

Check out my blog for a more personal take on the race: https://marathang.wordpress.com/2015/03/03/enchanted-10k-2015/

The expo. Sure it's at the same place every year, with few minor changes, just make sure you know where you're going or just ask, it's a busy place. Red carpet entrance, fit for a Princess!

Sunday February 22, 2015. 60 at the start, 80 at the finish. Sunny. Orlando, FL.

I decided to run on my own, I was dressed as a pink princess, nothing fancy. Costumes are encouraged.

Parking / Transportation: Free parking available at Epcot in lot near start, but I was in the lot chilling with my coffee and honey Stinger Waffle. If you were staying on Disney property a shuttle bus was available. After parking, needed to go through security to get in. Just checking bags.

The pre-race set up was different from the 5k/10k as they needed to shuttle more runners. Bag check was open, and then encouraged to “hurry up & wait” in a holding area. Then with about an hour or so, we were allowed to make the trek to our corrals. Near the corrals were lots of port-a-potties. The music playing from the DJ was heard all over the starting area.

Start: Corral start, lettered A through P. Assigned bibs based on submitted times. Could start in your assigned corral or a lower letter. Many TV screens set up, so runners in the back could see the announcements coming from the starting stage. However the screens were few and far between.. After the National Anthem, some encouraging words from the Fairy God Mother, the first corral was off, on time, with a fireworks salute. There were no men in corral A. My corral was about 5 minutes later.

Course: The sun had yet to rise, so it was still dark, but the course was never difficult to navigate. (Only place to bring a light would be to use a port-a-pottie) This race was crowded, even though the corrals helped split up people it was still a slow start. When the sun came up it was warm, I was sweating after a mile.

The course started on the back roads around Disney. Eventually leading us to the Magic Kingdom. The best part of the race is the right turn on Main St in MK, after mile 5. There are thousands of spectators lining the course, the buildings are lined in lights and the castle is a glow in the distance. After leaving the high from running through the MK and under the castle, there is a lot of running on the back roads, the over passes provided the only hills. There were DJ’s, fire trucks, characters, golf courses, more spectators, in these areas. Eventually the course brought us to Epcot, and around Spaceship Earth to pass the choir and then finish. This race is mostly complete before the parks open.

There were plenty of water and lemon-lime Powerade stops, always in paper cups and each drink was in a different patterned cup. Volunteers made sure you knew which beverage they had. No food stops, except Clif gels. One of the hazards was caused from the cup debris, the others were the speed bumps, tight turns and narrow paths (allowing for bumping into others). All paved surfaces, no pot holes or cracks in the pavement to trip over. Did have to run in the grass areas where it was crowded. (actually found myself running on the grass more, as it was soft) Always felt safe. Each mile was marked with a character banner and a clock.

Spectators were plenty in the areas they could access. Lots of bands with dancers and cheerleaders. High fives or fours, for everyone.

Character stops: I was most excited about my corral placement, as I knew stopping for every character was possible. There were plenty available for photos. Did not encounter any problems with a character taking a break. The lines got shorter the further they were stationed on the course. In reality, a long wait could have been 5 minutes. The worst part about the lines were the group photos, which caused budging in line, then each one needed an individual photo. The character handlers were all friendly and happy to take a photo with my phone.

Characters/stops in order: Barbosa & Captain Jack, 6 princes, Race car, Wreck it Ralph, villians, Buzz Lightyear, Tweedle Dee & Tweddle Dum, Frozen characters on castle, Woody, Snow White with prince, Mary Poppins & Bert, Glass Slipper guys, Genie, Clif Bar, toy soldier (he wasting stopping for photos) Princess Sofia, Ivana Dream, the choir, and Prince Mickey at the finish. Oh I even stopped for a real bathroom in Epcot, cuz I didn't want to use a porto and I didn't want it to be over. Shout out to the spectator with pretzels rods!

Finish clearly marked with a banner and clock. Medals placed around your neck. Table for bottled water and Powerade. Proceeded to get finishers photo, then as a Glass Slipper Challenger, we had to walk through a separate tent for some verification, then got our medals and another photo, then on to post race banana & snack box. (corn chips, processed cheese dip, applesauce, drink mix, Krave cereal, luna bar and dried fruit)

There were post race character photos, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Pochontas, & Merida. The Run Disney official merchandise tent was open. Concessions available, beer & champagne. The DJ was still pumping music.

Overall: relatively flat course, crowded, pricey, lots of fun!

Check out my blog for photos. https://marathang.wordpress.com/2015/03/04/princess-half-marathon-2015/