Race Reviews



Disclaimer: Any race review is completely
my subjective view point
 which may be biased in an overly
positive or negative light
based on my race performance
for that given race




Ion Cheshire Half Marathon = B+

Course: The course description was given as, "fairly flat with significant stretches on the Farmington Canal Trail."  The course was true to its word.  Miles 1-7 were mostly flat with several of those miles right on the biking/running trail which is paved and flat.  And if I'm being honest, a little boring!  In fairness, I run on that trail often so I may just be used to it.  The scenery is nice and the trail is situated at one point along a river, but there were long stretches with no motivational cheer sections or music. From mile 8-11ish I wouldn't call the course flat.  No ginormous hills but definitely more than inclines and they were tough that far into the race!  The ending was kind of neat-- had to run 3/4 of the way around the Cheshire High School track.  It was spongy, flat and fast.  Volunteers were right there at the finish line to put a medal around your neck which was nice.  Course = B+

At the finish!

Organization: Runners were able to pick up race packets at Denali in Cheshire two days before the race which made race morning prep much easier. (Side note: Denali had a kick-ass sneaker sale in conjunction with the race!) Right before the race their was a very long line for the bathroom and two portalets provided.  The announcer kept counting down the minutes freaking me out because I didn't think I was going to get a chance to go before the race! Later I found that there were many more portalets but they were not situated where most runners would have seen them before the race--visibility could be improved so runners aren't wasting time on lines instead of warming up. Water/Gatorade stations were situated perfectly throughout the course and there were enough portalets on the course as well.  As I mentioned, medals were given immediately and there was not a lot of waiting around for awards after the race (which was nice for those actually getting awards!).  I had one maaaajjjooor problem with organization, however.  After the race I went back to my car, and it took me FIFTY MINUTES TO GET OUT OF THE PARKING LOT! Not ok when you're exhausted, cold and sweaty.  Cars from 3 different lots were trying to converge onto a common road out of the lot.  Someone really needs to be stationed to direct the traffic there.  Organization = B-



FOOD: Always the most important part of any race is the post race food. The Ion Cheshire Half Marathon didn't disappoint. Right at the finish line were bottles of water and Gatorade. And they were the big ones--24 ounces! I was so chilly after the race I only ate a banana but there was also pizza--not your usual after race food but I can dig it.  Food = A-

Overall Feel: The overall feel was positive, but not charged.  This could have been due in part to the chilly weather.  The race did supply a band, massage station, and jumbo kids' blow up slide.  There was a decent amount of spectator cheering at intervals along the race course to keep the runners motivated. The race shirt was a performance T, white (raisin girls can't catch a break!) and the design was average.   Overall Feel: B-



Awards: Finisher medals were quality and trophies and other awards were given for the top 3 in each age group. Age groups were set four year spans (ex 40-44) thereby giving many runners awards.  I wasn't one of them, but they were nice! Awards = A