This year's race was much more well organized than in year's past. The traffic was managed efficiently and post race amenities were plentiful. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and my two running companions, one of which was not yet a year old (gotta love jogging strollers!). I would highly recommend this race to anyone looking for something "different".
(A Very Hearty THANK YOU to photographers)
This race is on the tarmac at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport and participants get a close up view of take off and landing in the busy early morning hours. There are also museum type planes on display in the start area and runner's received a free entry into the local airplane museum which hosts the very plane that landed on the Hudson - "Miracle on the Hudson" - as flown by Captain 'Sully' Sullenberger. There are tour guides persent to describe the effects and materials of the plane and a fantastic movie showing the landing, the passengers, the rescue, etc. Worth the trip!
The course is flat. Very flat. Flattest I have ever run in the Charlotte area. No surprises with "moderate" hills or stair climbs. This is a flat race with a fantastic view.
My timing was non-competitive. I was there solely to enjoy myself and get good exercise in a safe environment. I was also in recovery mode from a recent major surgery thus I was well pleased with the less than one hour finish time. My next competitive goal will actually be a race in late February 2013. My hope is to be 'up and running' at 'full speed' by then, LOL.
Best wishes to the race organizers and volunteers for the Runway 5K!