Our race started in a mad dash to the start. We took off across the mats hoping to track down the pack. We ran the first bit all alone. At the first turn, they were already closing the barrier so they let us through and pointed us in the correct direction. We were still on our own then we finally saw the street sweepers. We caught up and passed them next looking for the police car and runner pickup bus. We caught up to them closing in on mile 2 while crossing the Memorial bridge. After passing the police car, we finally started to run through the stragglers. By mile 3, we were at the back of the pack.

So after we caught up to the street sweepers then the police end of the line escort and finally the tail end of the running pack, we were able to catch our breath and settle into a nice pace. We spent the rest of the race passing people until the very end not that we were running at some lightening speed. I gained a very different perspective running the race as the very last person (literally) to start. It was kind of funny running down the street by ourselves.

While we had planned for this race to be very boring, it took about 3 miles before we were able to settle into our plan. I will always look back on this race and laugh about the start. :-)

Try to be on time. And eat a little more breakfast - although my timing was off because of the last start. I was starving by the end of the race.

Walked back to metro and went home.


Nothing - I wasn't trying to run any faster.


The race course was nice and the volunteers were great. The event was well-run but the post food snacks were lacking and so far from the finish. It was hard to get to the tables.