Run With Carl – 5 mile – 2015

Monday September 7, 2015. 8:15 am. Cloudy at start – sun at finish, 70’s, humid. Bettendorf, IA

I was excited to learn the Bettendorf community has continued to have this race. Last year was to be the last race.

Registration: Available online and on race day. The 5 miler was only $25 without a t-shirt, but shirts were only $5 more, and described to be a long sleeve “quality” shirt . There was a timing chip on the back of the bib included with registration.

The long sleeve quality shirt, was a unisex, soft, cotton tee.

Expo / Packet Pick up: There was no expo, but packets could be picked up at the fitness center the Saturday before, however no pick up the Sunday before the race. Could also pick up your packet on race morning. Someone else could pick up your packet. No extra flyers or materials.

Pre-Race: There was parking at the near by Middle School, on street or at the park where the race started. There were port-o-potties, but they were out of sight, behind the pool that was nearby.

The kids run and one mile race were run before 8 am. At 8 am there were some announcements. The National Anthem was sung, and the participants were walked to the starting line.

Race / Course:

The course started on he paved road, there were a few cracks in the pavement that could have made you trip. Then the course switched to an asphalt bike path, which narrowed, but wasn’t too crowded. Eventually the course joined back up on the paved road.
water puddles and mud on the path, but volunteers were there warning you.
There were 3 water only stops, all in paper cups.
Each mile was marked, there was a volunteer yelling times
The course was on roads open to traffic, the running lane was partitioned off with cones, always running against traffic
Volunteers or law enforcement at all intersections, and along the route
There was a timing mat at the halfway point
some hills, but nothing steep
a few spectators
no photographers on course, but around the finish area

Post Race: Finish was marked with a timing mat, clock and an announcer trying to get as many names announced as possible. There was apples, bananas, an assortment of cookies, bagels and water. There was a medic tent. The timing company had a spot you could get printed results. Room to cheer on finishers too. No awards ceremony, but a table was set up to claim AG awards, which were t-shirts.

Overall: This is a great race at a great price. Always professionally organized.

Personal: It was a step back week in my training, and I had just run a super tough race the day before. I was ready for some redemption. I didn’t start to fast, and I was aware of the heat and humidity. MY first mile split was around 9 min/mile, I thought I could stick with that pace. I cross the finish with a time near 45 minutes, running an average 9:11 mile. I felt good, and ended up with a 5th place AG finish.

I brought Josh along with me to the race and we met up with a twitter friend, Kevin and Kelly. We had a great time hanging out, even stopped for post race coffee and donuts. There was even a Buff off!