Two things stand out immediately about this race. I mean, immediately.
- Start2Finish (S2F) is a top notch, 5 Star, event management group.
- Tough trail race - NOT for amateurs, small children, obese or elderly.
I was thoroughly impressed with S2F from the get-go. I am a huge fan of Run For Your Life and their event group (both based in Charlotte NC) but they now have some very serious competition.
S2F is friendly, well organized, state-of-the-art, and runner-focused. I received a free entry as a result of volunteering at another of their events (no, I was not asked to promo their efforts) and in all honesty, was not prepared for a trail race of this magnitude but I am glad I participated beyond my skill level. My free entry was for the 10K - I had zero problems, difficulty or attitude in switching to the 5K last minute. I simply returned my bib, signed a form and received a new bib with a glowing smile from both volunteers. *APPLAUSE*
S2F has digital apparatus for race results. More specifically, they utilized three large screens under a tent (vertical 30"-32") with scrolling results that post as soon as you cross the FINISH LINE as well as a public use terminal that allows a runner/user to type in a bib number and get instant results. I was impressed.
The S2F website also has a live video feed that shows the finish line during the race from beginning to end. It lapses after the final runner has crossed the line. Excellent for at home supporters who want to see their favorite athlete cross that finish line! Again, I am impressed.
The S2F website also has a live video feed that shows the finish line during the race from beginning to end. It lapses after the final runner has crossed the line. Excellent for at home supporters who want to see their favorite athlete cross that finish line! Again, I am impressed.
S2F had no shortage of water, NUUN, bagels, bananas, oranges, chocolate chip cookies, and very friendly staff post race.
What impressed me most (second to the digital apparatus, third to the friendly staff, 4th to the post race amenities) were the efforts of the Race Director. He held off the awards ceremony until the last runner crossed the line. He actually critiqued his bike course monitor (guy who rides the trail at the rear watching for late runners, injuries, etc) for missing a runner on the course. He held off the awards until that young man finished and we all cheered for him. One other runner came in about 10 minutes later and the awards had already begun but I firmly believe no one overlooked her intentionally. They simply weren't aware she was still on the course.
Which leads me to item #2 on my list of things I noticed immediately. This was NOT a course for amateurs (which I am when it comes to trail running). The event was held at Renaissance Park off of Tyvola Rd in Charlotte which, by the way, has a paved running trail. The course was in the wooded area and 20 feet into it we maneuvered a huge mud puddle (four feet across and set between two trail posts so that you could not go around it, only through it). This was not my first clue as to the toughness of the course. The first clue was... I was the ONLY overweight participant there. I looked for walkers before the START horn.. and I honestly should have walked away right then and there.. *laugh* It was not an event for me personally at this stage of my running career.
There is a section within the course (both the 5K and 10K runners shared the first 3.28 miles) called "Gully Loop". It makes you want to rename the race "Slips & Breaks"... WOW!! The mud was a result of two days rain previously. Couldn't be helped. Mother Nature has a wicked sense of humor sometimes. The "gullies" were often 8 ft across, narrow, and 6-8 ft deep, meaning straight down, straight up and IN THE MUD.
Did I mention there was mud?
One gully was a monster, of the Loch Ness variety - pure legend! Much bigger, much steeper and much more treacherous than the others and when you're at the back of the pack, you get the worst of the worst. The ground is completely trodden at that point making the mud more suctional (so to speak) and you can see the violent slip marks of previous gallant souls who took their baths in the gory goo.
Today's 5K was my worst posted time EVER.
I should be bummed.
I am not. I finished this race.
Hail the Conquering Hero!
These were my "new" shoes. Ptthhh!!
I was 6/6 for my age group, 185th overall (out of 210 total, both races combined). I was not the last 5K finisher. Lady who sprained her ankle around the mile 2 mark was last (no, I am not gloating - I twisted mine also but I trod on determined to seek the finish line).
This was not a USATF certified course. My Garmin clocked the distance for the 5K at a total of 3.29 miles at the FINISH line, another reason I don't feel overly bad about my finish time.
This is part of the CAROLINA TRAIL RUN SERIES which I would highly recommend as it is a challenging competition and it is very well managed. I would forewarn you though... See #2 above.
Good luck to all who compete in the Series!
CHIP TIME: 1:04:07
(Stats provided by S2Ftiming.com)