Mile 1 - Started at the 9min/mile pace area, should have moved way up. Spent this mile at slower than planned pace navigating all of the runners. Saw 3 take a spill with feet getting tangled w/each other.

Mile 2 - Turn & head over the Main Street Bridge - 1st band is playing at the base of the bridge. Picked up the pace a bit.

Mile - 3 Saw a couple of friends spectating - I was a little shocked by the slow 5k split time, 29 mins. Still negotiating throngs of runners. Hit the 1st water station & walked as I drank...I can't run & drink at the same time.

Mile 4 - Feeling good - this part of the course is lined wall-to-wall with spectators...they can be inspiring!

Mile 5 - Came along a couple of Hammerheads & ran together for a mile discussing the upcoming triathlon season. Now I'm starting to feel some fatigue & let thoase 2 run on ahead.

Mile 6 - Winds through another river front neighborhood...59 minutes at the 10k split...not a good sign.

Mile 7 - Began to struggle a bit. Felt really crappy just before the bridge & I'm not sure why. Took a walk break at the final aid station & regrouped enough to tackle the bridge. Another band playing in this mile.

Mile 8 - The Green Monster as the Hart bridge is known. Most of the runners in this race are flat landers that don't experience hills so this 6%, 1/2 mile climb is painful for many. There is a group of drummers that have been at the base of the bridge every year, the Hart Bridge beat! Most runners walk the bridge. I didn't tear it up going up but ran up & passed several walkers. Coming down is a 1 mile descent to the finish line. I FALL on the descent! Ran over a drain & the ankle turned, down I go doing a roll & then back to a standing recovery. Ouch, started running immediately but the left foot really hurt for about 3/10's of a mile.

Mile 9 - The finish is lined with people behing the fences, really gives you chills running down the chute amongst such a large crowd.

Not falling...that hurts!

Post race is a throng of people..2 post race beers tasted great!


I hate this question...as usual the answer would be...ME!


This is my favorite event of the year. The first event I entered 5 years ago before triathlons, I had lost 30 lbs going into that 1st race & it is my sentimental favorite.

What I love about the River Run:
1 - The atmosphere with the all of the spectators that line the course, I always see several familiar faces to say hello along the route.
2 - The course - One of the prettiest anywhere
3 - The organization - 1st Place Sports always does a fantastic job of running trhe event...never any complaints about water, or other support.
4 - The BANDS - Along the course there are 4 or 5 bands playing!
5 - It's right here in my backyard!