I lined up between the 1:45 and 2:00 pace groups. There was not a lot of space between the two groups. I ended up running my first mile too fast because I stuck with the 8:45 group through the hills at the start. I realized that I should not be trying to run with them or even keep them in sight and I reminded myself to run my own race. The next few miles were downhill to Shelley Lake. That was fast and fun. At Shelley Lake the half marathoners and 10k runners spit with the half marathoners making a loop around the lake. We went up up over the damn and the around the lake. I was glad that we went "the good way" around!

After the lake, we were on the greenway for a good ways. This section had only very gradual ups and downs. It was quite congested for a while as the half marathoners passed back of the pack 10k runners on the right but had oncoming front of the pack 10k runners on the left, all while encountering the regular Saturday morning dog walkers. The greenway is just not that wide! I was glad when I got to the 10k turnaround and the congestion eased up.

After the 10k turnaround, I was looking for the next water station. On the way there I passed the two drumming groups that made up the on course entertainment. The first group was quite good. From there it was the turnaround at 9.25 and back up the greenway and the UP North Hills Drive and UP Northbrook, where my calves started to cramp a bit, and a short run to the finish.

Walked around the race are a bit, tried to eat but really I was just thirsty so I drank three bottles of water. I took a few pictures and then took myself to Starbucks for a post race beverage.


Heat. It was 81 with a heat index of 86 when I finished and I was soaked. My feet started to slosh in my socks at about mile 11 because so much sweat had run down my legs.


Overall the event was OK and I would consider doing another event put on by this organization, however, they could improve it a lot. I'm writing this not to complain so much as to offer suggestions.

* close the parking deck. They guy who owns Race 13.1 also owns the mall that hosted the start/finish area. He has the power to close the part of the deck being used as the start/finish area to traffic and they should have done so.
* double the number of water stations. I believe that with a heat index of 86, this would have been a Red Flag on the Event Alert System. They needed water stations AT LEAST every mile, not every two miles.
* improve pre and post race vibe
* close the greenways
* better separation of the multiple events going on at the same time
* better themeing. The theme is the carinal. Nothing about Raleigh and cardinals go together . Raleigh is the City of Oaks. Maybe play with that?
* I thought to myself, "Whoever put up these mileage signs must have been drunk." The ones around Shelley Lake were a full quarter mile off!