Tag: 2019

Race #466 — Yiasou Greek Festival 5k — Charlotte, NC — 08/24/19

Posted on by Richard Hefner

With less than 100 feet of elevation gain in the entire race, this is one of Charlotte’s flattest road races, and also one of the fastest. It always brings out some of the area’s fastest runners and is also one of the largest 5k’s with over 1,000 finishers.

I really wanted to finish in under 23 minutes but didn’t quite make it; however, I still managed to win the 65-69 age group with a chip time of 23:05, and even better for me, it was the first race of the year that I managed to run without stopping to walk.

I should probably mention that I stayed away from this race for a number of years because the race website warned that parking is very limited in the area and they give some options for parking at other locations or recommend you carpool or take the light rail to the nearest stop. I’ve found over the past two or three years of running the race that parking is actually pretty easy to find nearby, especially if you arrive an hour before race time. I’ve been within around 200 yards of the start line each time and it seems everybody else I’ve talked to also has no problem parking.

Race Name: Yiasou Greek Festival 5k

Location: Charlotte, North Carolina

Date: August 24, 2019

Race Rating: 95

Top 10 Males:

Top 10 Females:

My Age Group (Top 10 of 19):

Course:

Elevation by Mile:

Weather at Start:

Click Here for Race Results

Click Here for Race Photos

Click Here for Race Website

My Stats:

Time: 23:05
Pace: 7:25
Age Group: 1 of 19
Overall: 105 of 1044
Average Heart Rate: 160
Maximum Heart Rate: 169
Age Grade Percentage: 74.01%

  • RACE RATING *

RACE COURSE
3 – 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
2 – Mile Markers: (0)poor or none (1)normal (2)with clocks or time called out
2 – Volunteers: (0)too few (2)good
8 – Finish line: (0-9) 0=bad and 9=spectacular!
2 – 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!
0 – 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)
5 – 5-year age groups (5 points) (0 for anything less)
1 – 14 and under group (1)
1 – 65+ group (1)
1 – 70+ group (1)
2 – Top Overall M/F: (0)none; (1) first only; (2)top 3 or better
2 – 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)
5 – Finisher Medals for All Finishers: (0)no (3)yes (5)really cool medals

POST RACE
5 – Food for Race Participants: (0-10 with 5 being average)
7 – Entertainment: (0)no (1-9)yes
2 – Finisher times posted after race: (0)no (2)yes

REST ROOMS
1 – Porta Potties: (0)no (1)limited, long lines (2)plentiful
1 – Indoor Restrooms: (0)no (1)limited, long lines (2)plentiful

T-SHIRTS
2 – T-Shirts: (0)no (2)yes
3 – Design: (1-5)
2 – Material Quality: (1-3)
0 – Discount for no-shirt option: (0)no (2)yes

PHOTOGRAPHY
5 – Professional Photography: (0)no (5)yes
1 – 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
0 – 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
2 – Kids Fun Run: (0)no (2)yes
x – Miscellaneous not covered above: (-10 to +10)

TOTAL: 95

Race #465 — 08/17/19 – OrthoCarolina 10k Classic – Charlotte, NC

Posted on by Richard Hefner

With 2,000 registered runners for the 10k and 5k races, this is one of Charlotte’s biggest race events. I ran the 10k, which is a tough course that seemed like there were a lot more hills than the 267 feet of elevation gain recorded by my Garmin would indicate.

As usual, I walked early and often, and when my friend and main competition Bob Nelson passed me walking in the first mile, he asked me if everything was okay. I managed a “Fine… You know me,” as he scurried by, and for at least the first half of the race we followed our familiar pattern of him passing me as I walked up hills and me passing him back as we went down hills. I’m apparently better at running downhill than uphill. Four or five miles into the race Bob stopped passing me and when I looked back I didn’t see him. I managed to finish a minute or so ahead of him and he said afterwards he was in good shape for 4 miles but not so much for 6 (he beat me at the 4-miler on July 4th).

After the race we went to check the computers for our results and I was a little surprised to see that I was 2nd in the age group instead of 1st, but it happens. Turns out there was a snafu with the timing and I actually did have 1st place, but it was a mess that took several days for the results to get straightened out.

The problem was that more than 20 runners signed up for the 10k but only ran the 5k, and their 5k times were listed as 10k times in the results, and this caused a rippling effect throughout the entire 10k. Five of the top seven overall females in the 10k had run the 5k distance. One girl I know had finished 5th in her age group when the results were first announced, but after they were fixed she was 2nd. All four age groups from 60-69 (60-64 Male, 60-64 Female, 65-69 Male, and 65-69 Female) in the 10k had a runner listed in 1st place that had only run the 5k. I emailed the race timers and never got a response, but I figured there were probably a lot of complaints so they got it fixed and that was the most important thing.

I do hope that next year they’ll make and effort to keep the same thing from happening again such as having different bibs for each race and having volunteers check to see if the correct bibs are being worn on the 5k-only and 10k-only portions of the race.

The 10k course was also long by more than 1/10 of a mile. My watch measured it as 6.33 and I heard others say they had distances as much as 6.44 miles. We all had to run the same distance, so it’s fair, but the longer mileage kind of makes it hard to run a good time. It would be nice if the distance was a little closer to 6.2 miles.

Race Name: OrthoCarolina 10k Classic (with 5k and Fun Run options)

Location: Charlotte, North Carolina

Date: August 17, 2019

Race Rating:

Winners (10k Top 10 Overall):

Winners (5k Top 10 Overall):

My Age Group (65-69):

Course:

Elevation (by mile):

Weather at Start:

Click Here for Race Results

Click Here for Race Photos

Click Here for Race Website

My Stats:

Time: 51:19
Pace: 8:16 (or 8:07 if you take into account the longer distance)
Age Group: 1 of 12
Overall: 117 of 955
Average Heart Rate: 162
Maximum Heart Rate: 172
Age Grade Percentage: 69.31%

  • RACE RATING *

RACE COURSE
3 – 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
7 – Finish line: (0-9) 0=bad and 9=spectacular!
0 – Certified Course: (0)no (2) yes
0 – Correct Distance: (0)no (2)yes (more than 1/10 mile long)
1 – Partly or fully on unpaved roads: (0)yes (1)no

REGISTRATION
2 – Cost: (0)expensive (2)reasonable (5)cheap!
0 – 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)
5 – 5-year age groups (5 points) (0 for anything less)
1 – 14 and under group (1)
1 – 65+ group (1)
1 – 70+ group (1)
2 – Top Overall M/F: (0)none; (1) first only; (2)top 3 or better
2 – 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)
5 – Finisher Medals for All Finishers: (0)no (3)yes (5)really cool medals

POST RACE
5 – Food for Race Participants: (0-10 with 5 being average)
7 – Entertainment: (0)no (1-9)yes
2 – Finisher times posted after race: (0)no (2)yes

REST ROOMS
2 – Porta Potties: (0)no (1)limited, long lines (2)plentiful
0 – Indoor Restrooms: (0)no (1)limited, long lines (2)plentiful

T-SHIRTS
2 – T-Shirts: (0)no (2)yes
3 – Design: (1-5)
2 – Material Quality: (1-3)
0 – Discount for no-shirt option: (0)no (2)yes

PHOTOGRAPHY
5 – Professional Photography: (0)no (5)yes
1 – 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
0 – 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
0 – Part of race series or Grand Prix: (0)no (2)yes
2 – Kids Fun Run: (0)no (2)yes
x – Miscellaneous not covered above: (-10 to +10)

TOTAL: 85

Race #464 — 08/10/19 – 7th Inning Stretch 5k – Shelby NC

Posted on by Richard Hefner

This race is held as a part of the 7th Inning Stretch Festival, celebrating the American Legion World Series, which is held in Shelby every year. It’s well managed and has become one of my favorite summertime 5k’s over the last three years that I’ve run it.

Race Name: 7th Inning Stretch 5k

Location: Shelby, North Carolina

Date: August 10, 2019

Race Rating: 87

Winners (Top 30 Overall):

Overall winner Ben Kassel is a great runner with an incredible story. Three years ago he was overweight and out of shape. He dropped 110 pounds and won the first 5k he entered, and many more since then. He recently ran a 2:38 marathon as well! Read more about his amazing transformation in this Runner’s World article.

Course:

Elevation Per Mile:

Weather at Start:

Click Here for Race Results

Click Here for Free Race Photos on Facebook (155 pics)

Click Here for Race Website

My Stats:

Time: 23:40
Pace: 7:37
Age Group: 1 of 4
Overall: 17 of 153
Average Heart Rate: 158
Maximum Heart Rate: 169
Age Grade Percentage: 72.18%

  • 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!
2 – 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)
5 – 5-year age groups (5 points) (0 for anything less)
1 – 14 and under group (1)
1 – 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
5 – 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
5 – Food for Race Participants: (0-10 with 5 being average)
5 – Entertainment: (0)no (1-9)yes
2 – Finisher times posted after race: (0)no (2)yes

REST ROOMS
2 – Porta Potties: (0)no (1)limited, long lines (2)plentiful
0 – Indoor Restrooms: (0)no (1)limited, long lines (2)plentiful

T-SHIRTS
2 – T-Shirts: (0)no (2)yes
3 – 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
7 – Free Photographs (newspaper, Facebook, 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
0 – Shelter from Inclement Weather (needed or not): (0)no (2)yes
5 – Swag (free socks, water bottles, etc.): (0)no (2)yes, some (5)excellent
0 – 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: 87

Race #463 — 08/09/19 – Slam the Dam 10k – Lake Lure, NC

Posted on by Richard Hefner

Nice 10k race over the dam and along the mountain roads beside Lake Lure. Lots of hills (683 feet of elevation gain) but great finish on the beach at Rumbling Bald Resort. This is the first of three races in three days in the Lake Lure Olympiad. Lots of great food after the race… plenty of homemade salads and pastries as well as ice cream sundaes!

Race Name: Slam the Dam 10k

Location: Lake Lure, North Carolina

Date: August 9, 2019

Race Rating: 103

Winners (Top 10 Overall):

Course:

Elevation (per mile):

Weather at Start:

Click Here for Race Results

Click Here for Race Photos from Willie Lowe on Flickr

Click Here for Race Website

For me, one of the best perks of running races in the Rutherford Outdoor Coalition Race Series is the free professional quality photos for most races provided by Willie Lowe.

My Stats:

Time: 51:00
Pace: 8:12
Age Group: 1 of 4
Overall: 43 of 218
Average Heart Rate: 164
Maximum Heart Rate: 176
Age Grade Percentage: 69.74%

  • 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
4 – 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
8 – Finish line: (0-9) 0=bad and 9=spectacular!
2 – 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)
5 – 5-year age groups (5 points) (0 for anything less)
1 – 14 and under group (1)
1 – 65+ group (1)
1 – 70+ group (1)
2 – 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
5 – 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
10 – Food for Race Participants: (0-10 with 5 being average)
7 – Entertainment: (0)no (1-9)yes
2 – Finisher times posted after race: (0)no (2)yes

REST ROOMS
2 – 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
3 – Design: (1-5)
2 – Material Quality: (1-3)
0 – Discount for no-shirt option: (0)no (2)yes

PHOTOGRAPHY
5 – Professional Photography: (0)no (5)yes
x – Prices: (1)expensive (3)reasonable (5)cheap
10 – Free Photographs (newspaper, etc.): (0)no (1-10)yes

PARKING
0* – 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
*You can park close to the start or the finish, but not both.

OTHER
0 – 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: 103

Race #462 — 08/03/19 – Eagles Scholarship 5k – Concord NC

Posted on by Richard Hefner

A lot of races are held at the beautiful Frank Liske Park in Concord, which is great if you don’t mind unpaved but smooth trails. I’m not a trail runner but this type of trail is not a lot different from running on roads as long as it’s not muddy.

This was the 5th year of this race and they really should take a different approach for the awards. The top age group was 50-and-over and they only went 1-deep. Worse than that, the overall winners also won awards for their age groups… double dipping. Somebody please clue these people in.

Race Name: NCCU Eagles Scholarship 5k

Location: Concord, North Carolina

Date: August 3, 2019

Race Rating: 66

Winners (Top 10 Overall):

Course:

Elevation:

Weather at Start:

Click Here for Race Results

Click Here for Race Finish Video on YouTube

My Stats:

Time: 23:35
Pace: 7:35
Age Group (50-and-over): 2 of 14
Overall: 8 of 90
Average Heart Rate: 155
Maximum Heart Rate: 170
Age Grade Percentage: 72.44%

I seem to be the only one who looks tired.
  • RACE RATING *

RACE COURSE
3 – 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
5 – Finish line: (0-9) 0=bad and 9=spectacular!
0 – Certified Course: (0)no (2) yes
2 – Correct Distance: (0)no (2)yes
0 – Partly or fully on unpaved roads: (0)yes (1)no

REGISTRATION
0 – Cost: (0)expensive (2)reasonable (5)cheap! [$43 on race day]
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
0 – 3 deep awards: (2)yes (0 for anything less)
0 – 5-year age groups (5 points) (0 for anything less)
0 – 14 and under group (1)
0 – 65+ group (1)
0 – 70+ group (1)
1 – Top Overall M/F: (0)none; (1) first only; (2)top 3 or better
2 – 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)
3 – Finisher Medals for All Finishers: (0)no (3)yes (5)really cool medals

POST RACE
4 – Food for Race Participants: (0-10 with 5 being average)
5 – Entertainment: (0)no (1-9)yes
2 – 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
3 – 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
0 – 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
0 – Part of race series or Grand Prix: (0)no (2)yes
0 – Kids Fun Run: (0)no (2)yes
3* – Miscellaneous not covered above: (-10 to +10)
*(3 extra points for finish line video)

TOTAL: 66

Race #461 — 07/27/19 – Meet Me at the Fountain 5k – Forest City NC

Posted on by Richard Hefner

Kind of a long drive from Gastonia but worth the trip. Nice flat and fast course followed by fantastic (and cheap!) breakfast at the local drugstore.

Race Name: Meet Me at the Fountain 5k

Location: Forest City, NC

Date: July 27, 2019

Race Rating: 91

Winners (Top 25 Overall):

Course:

Elevation:

Weather at Start:

Click Here for Race Results

Click Here for Race Photos on Flickr from Willie Lowe (175 photos)

Click Here for Race Website

My Stats:

Time: 22:58
Pace: 7:23
Age Group: 1 of 2
Overall: 14 of 159
Average Heart Rate: 156
Maximum Heart Rate: 169
Age Grade Percentage: 74.38%

Lots of free photos courtesy of Willie Lowe, who does photography for most of the Rutherford Outdoor Coalition race series.
  • 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
7 – 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)
5 – 5-year age groups (5 points) (0 for anything less)
1 – 14 and under group (1)
1 – 65+ group (1)
1 – 70+ group (1)
2 – Top Overall M/F: (0)none; (1) first only; (2)top 3 or better
2 – 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
5 – Door Prizes or Drawing: (0-9)
0 – Finisher Medals for All Finishers: (0)no (3)yes (5)really cool medals

POST RACE
5 – Food for Race Participants: (0-10 with 5 being average)
7 – Entertainment: (0)no (1-9)yes
2 – Finisher times posted after race: (0)no (2)yes

REST ROOMS
0 – Porta Potties: (0)no (1)limited, long lines (2)plentiful
1 – Indoor Restrooms: (0)no (1)limited, long lines (2)plentiful

T-SHIRTS
2 – T-Shirts: (0)no (2)yes
3 – 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
0 – Prices: (1)expensive (3)reasonable (5)cheap
10 – 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
0 – 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
2 – Kids Fun Run: (0)no (2)yes
x – Miscellaneous not covered above: (-10 to +10)

TOTAL: 91

Race #460 — 07/13/19 – The Scream! Half Marathon – Jonas Ridge, NC

Posted on by Richard Hefner

Oops… Forgot to put on my watch that morning and didn’t think about it until I was about 50 miles from home, so limited data for this one.

Always one of my favorite races despite being a logistic nightmare, but getting there (and back) is half the fun!

Race Name: The Scream! Half Marathon

Location: Jonas Ridge, North Carolina

Date: July 13, 2019

Race Rating: 82*

*The score for this race is kind of low due to a few issues like parking, but despite the lower score it’s still well worth running and is highly recommended to anyone looking for a fast (and fun) race.

Winners:

My Age Group:

Course: First 2 miles on rolling hills in the mountains, followed by about 9 miles of mostly downhill running on an unpaved forestry road.

Elevation: About 2,400 elevation loss on the downhill makes it one of the fastest half marathons anywhere!

Weather at Start: It was muggy and warm this year, but no rain.

Race Results (Overall)

Race Results (Age Group)

Click Here for Race Website

My Stats:

Time: 1:46:44
Pace: 8:08
Age Group: 1 of 6
Overall: 63 of 290
Age Grade Percentage: 73.38%

Getting there is half the fun. This is on the free bus ride up to the start, with Ben Zachary, Robert Collea, and Debra Dandro.
  • RACE RATING *

RACE COURSE
0 – Chip & Gun Timing: (3 points if yes)
5 – Water Stops: (0)none (2)normal (5)extras [Gu, sports drink, etc.]
1 – Course Marking: (0)bad (1)good
4 – 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
7 – Finish line: (0-9) 0=bad and 9=spectacular!
2 – Certified Course: (0)no (2) yes
2 – Correct Distance: (0)no (2)yes
0 – Partly or fully on unpaved roads: (0)yes (1)no

REGISTRATION
2 – Cost: (0)expensive (2)reasonable (5)cheap!
0 – 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)
5 – 5-year age groups (5 points) (0 for anything less)
0 – 14 and under group (1)
1 – 65+ group (1)
1 – 70+ group (1)
2 – Top Overall M/F: (0)none; (1) first only; (2)top 3 or better
2 – 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)
5 – Finisher Medals for All Finishers: (0)no (3)yes (5)really cool medals

POST RACE
9 – Food for Race Participants: (0-10 with 5 being average)
5 – Entertainment: (0)no (1-9)yes
2 – Finisher times posted after race: (0)no (2)yes

REST ROOMS
2 – Porta Potties: (0)no (1)limited, long lines (2)plentiful
0 – Indoor Restrooms: (0)no (1)limited, long lines (2)plentiful

T-SHIRTS
2 – T-Shirts: (0)no (2)yes
3 – Design: (1-5)
2 – Material Quality: (1-3)
2 – Discount for no-shirt option: (0)no (2)yes

PHOTOGRAPHY
0 – Professional Photography: (0)no (5)yes
0 – Prices: (1)expensive (3)reasonable (5)cheap
0 – Free Photographs (newspaper, etc.): (0)no (1-10)yes

PARKING
0 – Close to Start: (2)yes (0)no
0 – 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
0 – 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: 82

Race #459 — 07/06/19 – Coon Dog Day 5k – Saluda NC

Posted on by Richard Hefner

This was the 56th annual Coon Dog Day Festival in Saluda and the 5k is always a lot of fun. The race now starts and finishes on Main Street right in the middle of the festival and this year there were 257 runners. My Garmin watch malfunctioned so my stats for this race are limited.

Race Name: Coon Dog Day 5k

Location: Saluda, North Carolina

Date: July 6, 2019

Race Rating: 64

Winners (Top 20 Overall):

Juan Alzate, Ben Kassel, and me. Ben was the overall winner of the race (5:49 pace)!

Course: Winding course through mountain roads, a few hills but not bad for the mountains.

Weather at Start:

Click Here for Race Results

Click Here for Race Website

My Stats:

Time: 23:59
Pace: 7:43
Age Group (60-99): 2 of 21
Overall: 31 of 257
Age Grade Percentage: 71.23%

  • 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
4 – 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
7 – 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
0 – 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)
0 – 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
5 – 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)
9 – Entertainment: (0)no (1-9)yes
2 – Finisher times posted after race: (0)no (2)yes

REST ROOMS
2 – Porta Potties: (0)no (1)limited, long lines (2)plentiful
0 – Indoor Restrooms: (0)no (1)limited, long lines (2)plentiful

T-SHIRTS
2 – T-Shirts: (0)no (2)yes
3 – 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
0 – 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
0 – Plenty of spaces: (2)yes (0)no
0 – Free Parking: (2)yes (0)no

OTHER
0 – 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
0 – 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: 64

Race #458 — 07-04-19 — American 4-Miler – Charlotte, NC

Posted on by Richard Hefner

Race Name: American 4 Miler

Location: Charlotte, North Carolina

Date: July 4, 2019

Race Rating: 97

Winners:

Top 5 Male:

Top 5 Female:

Top 5 My Age Group (65-69 Male):

Course:

Elevation:

Weather at Start:

Click Here for Race Results

Click Here for Race Photos

Click Here for Race Website

(L-R) Richard Hefner, Bob Nelson, Paul Myers

My Stats:

Time: 31:03
Pace: 7:46
Age Group: 2 of 18
Overall: 126 of 1140
Average Heart Rate: 158
Maximum Heart Rate: 169
Age Graded Equivalent Time: 72.33%

  • RACE RATING *

RACE COURSE
3 – 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
4 – Course Scenery: (0-5) 1=bad and 5=fantastic
2 – Mile Markers: (0)poor or none (1)normal (2)with clocks or time called out
2 – Volunteers: (0)too few (2)good
8 – Finish line: (0-9) 0=bad and 9=spectacular!
2 – 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!
0 – 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)
5 – 5-year age groups (5 points) (0 for anything less)
1 – 14 and under group (1)
1 – 65+ group (1)
1 – 70+ group (1)
2 – Top Overall M/F: (0)none or first only (2)top 3 or better
2 – 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
5 – 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)
5 – Finisher Medals for All Finishers: (0)no (3)yes (5)really cool medals

POST RACE
5 – Food for Race Participants: (0-10 with 5 being average)
7 – Entertainment: (0)no (1-9)yes
2 – Finisher times posted after race: (0)no (2)yes

REST ROOMS
2 – Porta Potties: (0)no (1)limited, long lines (2)plentiful
0 – Indoor Restrooms: (0)no (1)limited, long lines (2)plentiful

T-SHIRTS
2 – T-Shirts: (0)no (2)yes
3 – Design: (1-5)
2 – Material Quality: (1-3)
0 – Discount for no-shirt option: (0)no (2)yes

PHOTOGRAPHY
5 – Professional Photography: (0)no (5)yes
1 – 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
0 – Shelter from Inclement Weather (needed or not): (0)no (2)yes
2 – 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: 97

2019 Race Summary (First Half of Year)

Posted on by Richard Hefner

Yay! Started my blog back after nine months of being offline. Sadly all of the race reports and race ratings for my first 450 races or so are lost, but beginning with the 1st week of July 2019 I’m back to doing an individual entry for each race. Mostly it’ll just be the race rating because I got bogged down doing a big write-up for each race, but I’ll include anything that I feel might be of interest for each race in addition to the rating.