It’s a tiny race, with only 25 finishers in the 10k and another 20 in the 5k, but it’s well managed and a fun event. I have a feeling that some people stay away because of the hills, but there are so many competing races on this same day that most folks are at other events. I picked this one though because it’s part of the Gaston County Race Series and after this there’s only one race left after this one. I’m currently in 3rd place overall by just 1 point, with Scott Hammontree just ahead of me. Mitch James has already clinched 1st place so Scott and I are vying for the second spot. With only one race left and Scott running better than me at the moment, I’m fine with 3rd place, but there are a couple runners coming up behind me that can possibly overtake me in the final race of the series.
Scott recently returned from a trip to Europe that made a dent in his training and I got lucky and beat him in a couple races, but in this one he stayed just behind me for most of the race, then on the final hill at about 5.8 miles into the race he passed me and kept going. It wasn’t exactly a surprise since I’m known for not being great going uphill, and Scott was definitely determined to take me out, which he did.
The temperature was great — 55 degrees — but the 100% humidity was a bit much for some people. Personally I like it hot, so bumping up the temp 10 degrees or so would have been fine by me, but along the course I remember thinking that it’s probably best that it’s on the cool side.
Speaking of cooler temperatures, looking at the extended forecast it appears that there probably won’t be anymore temperatures in the 50s until springtime, and for me that usually means I won’t run as many races over the next few months, although I’d like to keep up a more consistent racing schedule this winter than last year, which was a bit of a disaster for me.
Race Name: Stanley Creek Massacre 10k/5k
Location: Stanley, North Carolina
Date: October 26, 2019
Race Rating: 63
Top Ten (10k):
Top 10 (5k):
Course:
Elevation:
Weather at Start:
My Stats:
Time: 50:06
Pace: 8:04
Age Group: 1 of 2
Overall: 6 of 25
Average Heart Rate: 157
Maximum Heart Rate: 165
Age Grade Percentage: 70.99%
- RACE RATING *
RACE COURSE
0 – Chip & Gun Timing: (3 points if yes)
2 – Water Stops: (0)none (2)normal (5)extras [Gu, sports drink, etc.]
1 – Course Marking: (0)bad (1)good
3 – Course Scenery: (0-5) 1=bad and 5=fantastic
1 – Mile Markers: (0)poor or none (1)normal (2)with clocks or time called out
2 – Volunteers: (0)too few (2)good
6 – Finish line: (0-9) 0=bad and 9=spectacular!
0 – Certified Course: (0)no (2) yes
2 – Correct Distance: (0)no (2)yes
1 – Partly or fully on unpaved roads: (0)yes (1)no
REGISTRATION
2 – Cost: (0)expensive (2)reasonable (5)cheap!
3 – Race Day Registration: (0)no (3)yes
RESULTS
2 – Posted online within 24 hours: (0)no (2)yes
1 – Easy to find results: (0)no (1)yes
AGE GROUPS
2 – 3 deep awards: (2)yes (0 for anything less)
0 – 5-year age groups (5 points) (0 for anything less)
1 – 14 and under group (1)
0 – 65+ group (1)
1 – 70+ group (1)
1 – Top Overall M/F: (0)none; (1) first only; (2)top 3 or better
0 – Masters Category(40+): (0)no (2)yes
0 – Grand Masters Category (50+): (0)no (3)yes
0 – Senior Grand Masters Category: (0)no (5)yes
AWARDS
2 – Overall Winner Awards: (0)none (2)yes (5)excellent
2 – Age Group Awards: (0)none (2)yes (5)excellent
0 – Door Prizes or Drawing: (0-9)
0 – Finisher Medals for All Finishers: (0)no (3)yes (5)really cool medals
POST RACE
3 – Food for Race Participants: (0-10 with 5 being average)
3 – Entertainment: (0)no (1-9)yes
0 – Finisher times posted after race: (0)no (2)yes
REST ROOMS
0 – Porta Potties: (0)no (1)limited, long lines (2)plentiful
2 – Indoor Restrooms: (0)no (1)limited, long lines (2)plentiful
T-SHIRTS
2 – T-Shirts: (0)no (2)yes
4 – Design: (1-5)
2 – Material Quality: (1-3)
0 – Discount for no-shirt option: (0)no (2)yes
PHOTOGRAPHY
0 – Professional Photography: (0)no (5)yes
x – Prices: (1)expensive (3)reasonable (5)cheap
0 – Free Photographs (newspaper, etc.): (0)no (1-10)yes
PARKING
2 – Close to Start: (2)yes (0)no
2 – Close to Finish: (2)yes (0)no
2 – Plenty of spaces: (2)yes (0)no
2 – Free Parking: (2)yes (0)no
OTHER
2 – Shelter from Inclement Weather (needed or not): (0)no (2)yes
0 – Swag (free socks, water bottles, etc.): (0)no (2)yes, some (5)excellent
2 – Part of race series or Grand Prix: (0)no (2)yes
0 – Kids Fun Run: (0)no (2)yes
x – Miscellaneous not covered above: (-10 to +10)
TOTAL: 63
The Old Runner 