Race Review: Bradford 5K Road Race

Bradford 5K
Bradford, NH
July 7, 2013
Race Site Link
                                                                                Overall Racing Experience: 3/5

The Bradford 5K is another nice small town road race.

Parking/Facilities/Registration: The parking situation is not very good. Runners must find parking spots on the streets which are already packed with church fair patrons, townspeople, and other runners, most of which also need a place to park their vehicles. The registration table was easy to spot outside the town hall building in the center of town. There was one porta potty locate behind the same building for runners to use. Needless to say, this caused a long line to form prior to the race start.  Score 0/1

Race Course: The course starts in the road just feet away from the registration area. After crossing an intersection it begins a long climb for the first mile of the race. This is followed by a long gradual decent during mile two. Mile three runs along a busy highway and is fully exposed to the sun which happened to be incredibly hot on the day of the race. I like the challenge of the hills, but not the traffic hazards and monotony of running along a highway. There was a water stop at the halfway point, and thankfully a couple of homeowners connected their garden hoses and sprayed down runners who wanted some relief from the heat. Score 0/1

Refreshments: Runners could find orange slices, bananas, watermelon, and water at the refreshment table.  Score 1/1

Awards and Results: The age group awards were very generous- especially for the younger runners who had age group increments of only 5 years. Medals were awarded to the top three in gold, silver and bronze. The medals were also inscribed with the race name, place and category. I think that is a nice touch that does not go unnoticed. There were may awards for local residents and students as well. Score 1/1

Overall Experience: The Bradford 5K is what I consider an old school town road race. If you are looking for a laid back summer season race, some surprising out of town competition, and a good test of your conditioning, look no further. Score 1/1

Race Results

Race Score: 3/5

Race Review: Chicken Farmer 5K

Chicken Farmer 5K
Newbury, NH
June 15, 2013
Race Site Link
Overall Racing Experience: 2/5


The Chicken Farmer 5K is a nice small town road race. It runs through the center of the lakeside town of Newbury, NH.

Parking/Facilities/Registration: Parking is very convenient located just behind the town hall offices. Registration is inside the town hall, and real bathrooms are available for runners. Registration was very quick and the t-shirts are a definitely unique. Score 1/1

Race Course: The course is basically up a huge hill, off on a side spur, and back down the same hil again. Traffic runs alongside the runners and this can make it difficult for those that turn around and compete for space on the side of the road with those participants still coming up the hill. The water is close by, but out of sight most of the way. There was a friendly volunteer at the water station just past mile 1. Score 0/1

Refreshments: There was water at the finish line area as well as some orange slices. Participants were encouraged to eat across the street at Bubba's after the race. Score 0/1

Awards and Results: There were some finishers medals for those who placed in their age groups. However, the results did not take place until long after the last finisher came in causing many runners to grumble. For a small race, the awards should have been ready much faster. Score 0/1

Overall Experience:  I liked the small town feel of the race, but it lacked many of the nice race experience features that I have come to appreciate. Good food and quick results are really appreciated. As are generous awards and an interesting race course. Score 1/1

Race Results

Race Score: 2/5

Race Review: San Diego Rock n' Roll 1/2 Marathon

Rock 'n' Roll San Diego 1/2 Marathon
San Diego, CA
June 2, 2013
Race Site Link
Overall Racing Experience: 4/5



Okay, so this was a huge race. There were over 18,000 finishers! If you like to be part of a huge running event with expos, elite athletes and all the hoopla that goes with a marquee race series, then this is definitely for you. I had a great time being part of such a big race production. Running 13.1 miles seemed a small part in what was essentially a 2 or 3 day running vacation. If you haven't run in a big race before, the Rock 'n' Roll series is a good entry point.

Parking/Facilities/Registration: Parking? Not a concern. Most runners walked from nearby hotels. Facilities? There were more porta potties than I have ever seen in one location before. And yet, there were still long lines an hour before start time. Registration was held at the San Diego convention center as part of a big runners expo with guest speakers, vendors, and Rock 'n' Roll series swag for purchase. The organization and management of all aspects was very good. Facilities Score 1/1

Race Course: The course was an interesting run through San Diego. I was a little disappointed not to have seen the water during the run. I thought maybe we'd climb some scenic vista overlooking the water. However, we ran through some interesting neighborhoods, passed some historical landmarks, and ran alongside Balboa Park. The course was well marked, traffic was never an issue, and there were plenty of aid stations along the way. The last 2 miles was pretty much all downhill and allowed for this runner to set a new PR. Of course this was the Rock 'n' Roll series so there were plenty of local bands rocking out on stages along the way. Score 1/1

Refreshments: After the race runners could choose from water, sports drinks, yogurt, bananas, bagels, and oranges. Those who were over 21 were entitled to a free beer at the post race concert in Petco Park. Score 1/1

Awards and Results: The awards ceremony was held a Petco Park prior to the concert. Many runners were still out on the course at the time and could be seen finishing on the huge display in the park via a live cam feed from the finish line. The awards ceremony was only for the elites. They were all world class athletes and I am happy just to mention that I ran in the same race with them. Unfortunately, I think many people felt left out and I would have liked to see the top runners in the age groups, etc.  Score 0/1

Overall Experience: I really enjoyed the race. The atmosphere was festive, the course was fast, and it was really an experience to be part of something so epic in scale. Score 1/1

Race Results

Race Score: 4/5

Race Review: 24th Annual Evelyn's Run for the Roses 5K and Men's Run for the Women

24th Annual Evelyn's Run for the Roses 5K and Men's Run for the Women
Salisbury, MA
May 18, 2013
Race Site Link
Overall Racing Experience: 4/5

Evelyn's Run for the Roses 5K is a race put on for runners, by runners. The Winner's Circle Running Club manages the race with enthusiasm and good cheer. What makes this event really special is the chase format. The girls are given a 3 minute head start on the guys. It makes for some creative competition and some really inspired running!

Parking/Facilities/Registration: Parking is plentiful and located very close to the start. Porta potties were located in the parking lot of the Winner's Circle establishment and registration was out front. I never found myself waiting in line for more than a minute. Registration was efficient and there were plenty of very pleasant volunteers on hand. Score 1/1

Race Course: The course was a little boring. It was a loop, so that was interesting in the sense that you covered the same ground and knew how to prepare for the final push to the finish line. But, the course was on wide open roads with traffic buzzing by just feet away in both directions. At one point the race went through an industrial park.  Score 0/1

Refreshments: Post race refreshments consisted of beer, popcorn, water, sports drinks, and oranges. The Traveler Beer Company provided the refreshments. Plenty of food was available for everyone. Score 1/1

Awards and Results: The awards ceremony was entertaining and very generously subsidized with raffle giveaways to participants. I think it may be one of the best races I've been to in terms of recognizing the runners and making everyone feel good about their efforts. Guys and girls are mixed recipients in every category with guys carrying 3 minutes. Score 1/1

Overall Experience: I really enjoyed the race event and I will be sure to put this on my race calendar for next year as well. The chase format, the excellent race management, friendly volunteers, and generous awards will continue to make this a great race. Score 1/1

Race Results

Race Score: 4/5

Race Review: Newburyport Spring Fever 5K

Spring Fever 5K
Newburyport, MA
May 4, 2013
Race Site Link
Overall Racing Experience: 3/5

The Spring Fever 5K is a fast road race through coastal Newburyport, MA. What makes this race so special is the scenic coastline and the eclectic shops and restaurants of Newburyport. Surprisingly, there was a decent field of runners for what felt like a very small time race.

Parking/Facilities/Registration: Parking is located very close to the start behind Bresnahan Elementary School. There were enough spaces to accommodate the early arrivals while the rest found parking on nearby streets. Bathrooms and registration tables were located in the school building. I never found myself waiting in line more than a few minutes. Registration was efficient and there were plenty of volunteers on hand. Score 1/1

Race Course: The course was fast with a major downhill section during mile one. Runners were kept honest by climbing a major uphill during mile 3. Volunteers were present throughout the course and kept everybody moving in the right direction. Traffic was moving on the roads, so runners used caution. Score 1/1

Refreshments: Post race refreshments consisted of water, yogurt, and pizza. Plenty of food was available for everyone. Score 1/1

Awards and Results: The results took a while to be posted and there was a bit of confusion as to the correct gender of a few runners. Very limited awards were handed out. This event is clearly a fundraiser for the PTA, but I think they could have gone deeper than one in each age group. Score 0/1

Overall Experience: Despite running a fast time and enjoying a decent racing experience, this one won't be on my list next year. There are just too many other good races each spring in New England. Score 0/1

Race Results

Race Score: 3/5

Race Review: Whale of a Trail 5K

Whale of a Trail 5K
Rye, NH
April 20, 2013
Race Site Link

Overall Racing Experience: 4/5





The Whale of a Trail 5K is a quaint trail race through Odiorne State Park in Rye, NH. What makes this race so special is the location overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. This is a muddy, challenging, cross-country race with steep hills, sharp turns, and plenty of terrain changes. This is quickly becoming a local favorite among NH seacoast runners in need of a spring tune-up.

Parking/Facilities/Registration: Parking is located very close to the start. There were just enough spaces to accommodate everyone. Bathrooms are located in the Seacoast Science Center building and also 200 yards away by the starting line. I never found myself waiting in line more than a few minutes. Registration was efficient and there were plenty of volunteers on hand to handle the crush of runners 30 minutes prior to race time. Score 1/1

Race Course: The course was challenging and always changing. Lots of turns and steep hills to keep things interesting. It was muddy and wet, but runners experienced pine needles, pavement, wooden bridges, sandy beaches, loose gravel, and grass lawns. Volunteers were present throughout the course and kept everybody moving in the right direction. Twice during the race you could see the field of runners as we looped by each other in serpentine paths. Score 1/1

Refreshments: Post race refreshments consisted of water, yogurt, bagels, and muffins. Plenty of food was available for everyone. Score 1/1

Awards and Results: The results took a while to be posted and there was a bit of confusion as to where they would be held. Many runners left during the wait as it was a bit cold and windy outside. The awards categories were generous and many people earned a gift certificate/water bottle/etc. Score 0/1

Overall Experience: I really enjoyed the race event and I will be sure to put this on my race calendar for next year as well. The cross-country course, the field of less than 300 runners, and the friendly volunteers will continue to make this a great race. Score 1/1

Race Results

Race Score: 4/5

Race Review: The Pursuit of the Holy Grail 5K

The Pursuit of the Holy Grail 5K
Epping, NH
March 16, 2013
Race Site Link

Overall Racing Experience: 3/5





The Holy Grail 5K is a nice small town race. What makes this race so special is the people that volunteer. The registration team, the bus drivers, and the police all did a spectacular job in making this a safe and well organized event. This is a race that will stay on my calendar for next year as well.

Parking/Facilities/Registration: Parking is somewhat limited for this race. The porta potties at the finish area were sufficient, but the porta potties placed at the start area were poorly located. The lines of people waiting for the bathroom extended out into the crowd of runners at the starting line making for a very awkward line up process. Registration went well and the volunteers were very friendly and helpful.
     This race is unique in that it offers runners a point to point course rather than a loop. However, the drawback is coordinating transportation to the start line. The last bus arrived a bit late and it was a very cold day. In order to stay warm at the start I wore my warm-up clothes and ditched them on the side of the road for pickup after the race. It would have been nice to have a bag service for runners to drop of bags with the bus headed back to the start for pickup after the race. A simple fix that would have made many runners very happy. Score 0/1

Race Course: The course was made up of back roads and housing developments before eventually winding up on Main Street. The first mile was very fast and the last mile has a challenging climb towards the finish. Overall, the elevation is negative and there is more down than up. The course was well managed and traffic was not an issue. Miles were well marked and splits were read aloud at mile one and two. All of the turns were clearly defined by flag wavers and volunteers. There was one water stop. Score 1/1

Refreshments: Post race refreshments consisted of water, yogurt, and energy drinks. I was inspired when I saw hot food being served in the beer tent, but it was at a premium price of $4 for a hot dog and $6 for a hamburger. Free beer was available to those over the age of 21. Score 0/1

Awards and Results: The results were posted quickly as the race completed. The sheets of paper were posted inside the beer tent area and were easily accessible. The awards ceremony didn't take place for quite awhile after the finish and there was some confusion as to where it was going to take place. Inside would have been the best bet as runners stood around shivering outside. The awards were generous and the age groups were extended to include even the youngest of runners. Score 1/1

Overall Experience: The Holy Grail 5K was a nice family race and I think if the day had been warmer or the race had been scheduled for later in the racing season it might have been a more pleasant experience. Given the circumstances, it would have been nice to transport runner gear and hold the awards indoors. The positives of this race outweigh any negatives and I recommend the experience to other runners looking for a small town race and a festive post race environment. Score 1/1

Race Results

Race Score: 3/5

Race Review: St. Paddy's Five Miler

St. Paddy's Five Miler
Portsmouth, NH
March 10, 2013
http://paddysfivemiler.com/

Overall Racing Experience: 4/5


The St. Paddy's Day 5 Miler is a festive race and should be on everyone's list of core races in New Hampshire. It serves as a nice entry into the spring racing season and is a great way to begin your St. Patrick's Day celebration. Free beer, hot soup and friendly volunteers!

Parking/Facilities/Registration: There is ample parking in the Pease Tradeport area. The porta potties were plentiful at the race start/finish area- hardly any waiting 1/2 hour before race start. There were about one thousand runners and the registration area was easy to navigate and the volunteers were very efficient and friendly. 1/1

Race Course: The course was well marked with volunteers at every crucial juncture. There were two water stops and many cheering fans along the way. The roads were in decent shape with the exception of one short stretch of pot holes and puddles that was well marked so runners would be careful. The course starts out with a very fast first mile and ends with an arduous uphill stretch to finish the race. 1/1

Refreshments: Post race refreshments included bagels, bananas, sandwiches, bottled water and soup. And, for those runners over the age of 21 there was a beer tent with Killian's Red on tap. One of the best things about this race is that the beer is served in a pint glass that you keep as your race swag. The weather was cold and windy this year, so the hot soup was much appreciated. 1/1

Awards and Results: The race was timed by RaceMenu. The results were not posted in paper form until very late after the race. They did have a check-in area under a tent for runners to look up their time electronically and print a results ticket, but it was not communicated very well to the runners. After checking my ticket, I learned that I had no time assigned to me. After discussion with the timing official it was all worked out. Later, when viewing my results online, I found that things had changed again and my place had changed again even after the awards ceremony. The awards were generous and the age divisions were standard. 0/1

Overall Experience: I would highly recommend this race to anybody looking to have a good time and a nice race experience. The music, the St. Paddy's Day flair and the spirits all made for a great time. The location is easy to find, the course is safe and easy to follow, there were multiple spots for spectators to see the race in progress, and the food and beverages were really top notch. Paddy's American Grille puts on a classy race. 1/1

Race Results

Race Score: 4/5