The 2014 Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run was a great racing experience. The race course takes runners on a tour of the national mall and reverberates with historical importance and patriotic emotion. This is a bucket list race and a worthy rite of spring for runners.

Parking/Facilities/Registration: The race begins on the Washington Monument grounds. Most runners take the Metro Service to the Smithsonian Mall stop. Some walk to the race from satellite locations or nearby hotels. There were hundreds of porta-potties on-site, and finding the starting corrals was very easy. Registration was done by lottery months before race day. Runners picked up their bibs and shirts before race day at the Health Expo held in the National Building Museum on April 4th and 5th.

Race Course: The race course was flat and fast. The course crosses the Tidal Basin, loops around Memorial Bridge, heads down Rock Creek Parkway and comes back to Independence Ave on its way to the tip of Hain’s Point. From the point it is about two miles back to the Washington Monument and the finish line. There are a few very minor hills, but nothing over 30 feet in elevation. The toughest part of the course was running into the wind at mile 9 and then cresting a slight hill approaching the finish. The 17,000+ runners were seeded by time at the start of the race to avoid overcrowding and runner traffic.

Refreshments: Heat blankets, bananas, granola mix, and water were available for runners after finishing the race. Medals were awarded to runners who ordered them as part of their race package. Each race bib was personalized with the runner’s first name, so volunteers congratulated runners by name, a nice touch.

Awards and Results: I was impressed with the results. Each runner had a B-Tag on their bib which is used to record their progress and finish time as they pass over timing mats along the course. Runners saw clocks at every mile, and splits were recorded in real-time for anyone who wanted to follow them using the RaceJoy smartphone app. After the race, runners could analyze their results using the info-graphic tools offered by RunPix. Awards went to the top 25 male and female runners and 5 deep in each age group. Age group awards are mailed out to the winners after race day.

Overall Experience: The 2014 Cherry Blossom Ten Miler served as the host of the U.S. Men’s and Women’s Ten Mile Championships. The race really had everything you’d want to find in a big race experience: fast times, beautiful weather, and the crown jewel of the nation’s parks.

Originally posted at: http://saltmarshrunning.com/2014/04/07/2014-cherry-blossom-ten-miler/
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The 2014 Pursuit of the Holy Grail was a fun and festive return to road racing in New Hampshire. What defines this race is the effort of the volunteers, bus drivers, police force, and race staff. This is a fast point-to-point race to help you nail your PR and test your winter training.

Parking/Facilities/Registration: Race parking is limited, but if you arrive an hour before race start you’ll find a spot nearby. For those that arrive later, there is a satellite location not far away. Registration was quick and easy. A table of friendly volunteers was able to handle things efficiently. Runners received bright orange tech tees with the race logo on the front. I’ll be wearing mine to stay safe on the roads. Sufficient porta-potties were available at both the registration and start areas.

Race Course: The 3.1 mile USATF certified course is fast and mostly downhill. There is a challenging incline right at the end, but it keeps things interesting. The start is a mile or two from the finish, so buses were provided to shuttle runners from the registration/finish area to the starting line. New this year, a bag service was provided to transport runner’s clothes from the start to the finish line- very convenient on a chilly morning in March. Splits were given at mile 1.

Refreshments: Beer. What would a St. Patrick’s Day race be without it really? Each runner over 21 was entitled to their choice of IPA or Pale Ale. I wasn’t able to find any food items, but I did see some runners munching on Clif bars. So I might have missed them.

Awards and Results: The results were processed quickly by Granite State Race Services. By the time I got home, they had already been posted to Coolrunning.com, and a personalized email was sent to me with my results. The results were announced in the Holy Grail Restaurant and Pub. This is an improvement over last year when runners shivered outdoors, but space was an issue. The awards were generous and many people left with cash prizes or movie passes. Andy Schachat, the voice of New Hampshire running, was on duty at the finish line and the awards ceremony.

Overall Experience: I like this race. I look forward to kicking off the season racing through the small town of Epping, NH. The race is very family oriented and the proceeds support the Epping Youth Athletic Association. The t-shirts even came in youth sizes!

Originally posted at: http://saltmarshrunning.com/2014/03/15/2014-pursuit-of-the-holy-grail-5k/
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