Race Reports
This page shares race recaps from past events that were highlighted in podcast episodes.
Episode 1 - December 2018 Races
BCRP $5 5K Reindeer Run - December 9, 2018 at 8:30 AM
- Part of a series of $5 5K races put on by the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks
- Amenities include a bib, timing, course marking, a water stop, and refreshments at the end of the race.
- The race began at the West Shore Park at the Inner Harbor and was run entirely along the Baltimore waterfront.
- The course was well-marked and mostly flat. Unfortunately, it seems that the course was approximately .2 miles short of the 5K distance.
- Runners were greeted at the finish by Santa!
- There was a nice spread of fruit, bagels, and coffee at the finish. Runners also received a voucher for a free hot chocolate at the Christmas Village, which you could use at the finish or at a later time.
Celtic Solstice 5 Mile Run - December 15, 2018 - 8:30 AM
- This run is sort of an unofficial holiday party for the Baltimore running community, which had over 2000 finishers.
- Race included great course support, hot soup, hot Wassail wine, coffee and hot chocolate, cookies, live Celtic Music, bagpipes, Irish Wolfhounds, and plenty of holiday cheer!
- Each runner received a high quality embroidered quarter-zip pullover with a cool double dragon design.
- The race was run in heavy rain with warmer than normal temperatures. The course was run in Druid Hill Park on a course marked by constantly rolling hills.
Episode 2 - Early January 2019 Races
BRRC Father Time Frolic - January 1, 2019
- 5 mile race run along Loch Raven Reservoir
- Organized as a prediction race, where you win by finishing closest to your predicted time. No one was allowed to wear a watch and the time clock was turned around at the finishÂ
- The top 5 finishers earned Timex watches
- Low fee race: $2 for BRRC members and $6Â for non-members
Eden Mill 5 Miler - January 6, 2019
- Part of the RASAC Snowflake Series of winter races.
- Low cost races: Free for RASAC members and $5 for non-members
- Run in unseasonably warm conditions, as temperatures were in the 40s.
- 114 finishers
- Unique race award categories: 19th registrant, 19th finisher, oldest male, oldest female, youngest finisher.
- Check out other Snowflake Series events at runharford.com. They are held most Sundays during the winter season.
Frozen Finger 5 Miler - January 12, 2019
- 5 Mile run through the Hammerman Area of the Gunpowder State Park on a mostly flat course.
- Low key children's race held just after the 5 miler started.
- Cold temperatures on race day.
- Handmade awards for age group award winners
- Gloves or ear muffs for all finishers
- Low cost race: $4 for BRRC member and children, $6 for non members.
Episode 3 - Late January 2019 Races
BRRC GPS 8 Miler - January 20, 2019
- 8 mile out-and-back race run along Loch Raven Reservoir
- First race in a year-long club series of road, trail, and track races.
- Free (donations welcome) for BRRC members, $10 for non-members.
- Mostly downhill in the first half with steep climbs on the return.
Episode 4 - Early February 2019 Races
BRRC Super Bowl Trail Race - February 3, 2019
- 8 miles on the trails located in the Cromwell Valley Park
- Muddy course as a result of recent snowmelt
- A combination of single-track, farm road, and asphalt with scenic views of Loch Raven Reservoir
- Post-race party included pulled pork sandwiches for all runners
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Algonquin 50K - February 9, 2019
- 50K trail race located in the Pocomoke River State Park in Worcester County.
- Flat out and back course with a slight variation in the second half.
- Long stretches of soft, sandy soil, ankle to calf-deep puddles, and briars create the main challenges for runners to substitute for the absence of hills
- A large contingent of Baltimore-area runners participated in this race, which featured more female than male participants
BRRC Cupid's Crush 5 Miler - February 10, 2019
- 24 degree temperature at race start, but a dry course and sunny weather.
- Challenging hills behind the Maryland Zoo around mile 3 slowed down most runners.
- Runners were treated to a gift bag including a custom Bocogear pom-pom hat.
Episode 5 - 2019 Maryland RRCA Club Challenge
Maryland RRCA Club Challenge - February 24, 2019
- Temperatures were in the mid 30s with periods of heavy rain throughout the race.
- Downhill early in the race with lots of rolling hills throughout and lots of uphill running in the later miles.
- Runners were treated to a pair of gloves at the end of the race and had access to locker rooms for showers and a change of clothes as they awaited results to see how their team fared in the results.
Episode 6 - Early March 2019 Races
Seneca Creek Greenway Race - March 2, 2019
- 50K and trail marathon options
- $25 for MCRRC members and $35 for non-members
- Lots of rain before the race led to muddy conditions
- Relatively low elevation profile
- Water crossing had a strong current as a result of recent rains
- Uphill finish
- Post-race party under cover with heat and hot food
- Carpool recommended as parking is limited
BRRC St. Patrick's Day 5K
- New course for 2109: less hilly than previous years with a downhill finish
- Choice of swag: custom beer mugs or socks
- Warm and windy weather
- Well-staffed with volunteers
- Post-race party with beer, music, and food at Patterson Park Public Charter School
Episode 8 - Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run
47th Annual Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run
Sunday, April 7, 2019
- Must enter through a lottery in early December. If you get in, registration fees are less than $50 and include timing, course support, post-run snacks and a cotton T-shirt. Many other race amenities for additional fees for those interested.
- Race expo at the National Building Museum is well organized and you can quickly get your drop bag and bib.
- Weather on race morning was pleasantly cool in the low to mid low winds and a little cloud cover. Temperatures rose slightly during the race, reaching about 60 degrees by 10 AM.
- Runners start the race in corrals based on their estimated finishing time. It is important to start in the correct corral, as the course can be quite crowded, which can be challenging if you are running significantly faster or slower than those around you.
- This bow-tie course is flat and fast, with views of the Washington Monument, Potomac River, Jefferson Memorial, Hain's Point Park, and a canopy of blooming cherry blossom trees.
Episode 11 - Providence Marathon
Providence Marathon
Sunday, May 5, 2019
- Running festival held in vibrant downtown area and includes a half marathon and 5K as well with about 5,000 runners total for the event (1,000 for the marathon)
- Registration for the marathon starts at $85
- Easy access from Baltimore via Southwest Airlines, about an hour flight
- Course is relatively flat (with just a few character builders), mostly along a bike path along the riverfront
- Well-organized, with 16 waterstops with Nuun, water, and porta-potties at every stop and gels at many
- Pace groups available
- 2019 event hampered by lots of rain
- Amenities include free race photos through Strava, race specific medals and t-shirts, and live athlete tracking online for friends and family to follow your progress
Episode 12 - Late April and May 2019 Races
Island to Island Half Marathon
Saturday, April 27, 2019
- Started on Assateague Island, MD and ended at the inlet in Ocean City, MD (point-to-point course).
- Start at 7 AM after bus shuttles runners from Ocean City to Assateague.
- Cold and windy conditions
- Flat course on the road, only rises are bridges at the beginning and end of the course.
- End of the course is on the famed Ocean City boardwalk.
- About 1,000 finishers for the half marathon
- Good crowd support and pacers were available
- Food, live music, and beer at the end of the race
St. Michaels Half Marathon
Saturday, May 18, 2019
- Flat course on the roads around St. Michaels, Maryland
- Starts around 7 AM before the heat of the day kicks in
- Course winds through residential areas
- Great support along the course from the local community and chamber of commerce
- About 1,200 finishers
York Marathon
Sunday, May 19, 2019
- Hosted by the York YMCA
- Course is on the Heritage Rail Trail, which is the Pennsylvania side of the NCR Trail
- Starts heading south, so runners are heading slightly uphill and finishes going north and downhill
- Weather was hot and humid for the 2019 race
- Good PR or Boston Qualifier course
- Showers available at the YMCA after the race
- Good parking availability
GPS Gunpowder Trail Race
Sunday, May 26, 2019
- Took place at the Gunpowder Fall State Park Sweathouse Area, just north of Perry Hall on Bel Air Road
- Lots of parking at the trailhead and more at the park-and-ride across Bel Air Road
- Starts going uphill on the challenging Wildlands Trail
- Challenging course 5.25 mile course with roots, rocks, muddy conditions, 4 stream crossings, and fire road.
- No cost registration for BRRC members and $10 for non-members
- All runners received an American flag bandana and a red-white-and-blue lei in honor of the Memorial Day holiday.
- 88 finishers, lots of course support from BRRC, Faster Bastards, and the Baltimore Pacemakers.
Episode 13 - Early June 2019 Races
Dam Yeti 50K
June 1st, 2019
Rachel Rosenblatt discusses this rail trail race in Virginia, unicorns, great views, race director hugs, and the importance of friends out on the trail.
Kettle Moraine 100
June 1st and 2nd, 2019
Pete Mulligan traveled to Wisconsin to run this race along the Ice Age trail. He discussed the challenges of running a destination 100 mile race unsupported and overcoming challenges to finish ahead of the cutoffs.
Old Dominion 100
June 1st and 2nd, 2019
Betsy and Johnny Lyons traveled to Virginia to take on their first 100 mile races. They discuss training, the importance of crew, and earning that first buckle.
Covered Bridges Half Marathon
June 2nd, 2019
Adria Lucca discusses traveling to Vermont to run this race again. She discusses the course, the race's small town charm, and the things that make this race special enough to sell out in less than 15 minutes each year.
Run Your Towne 24 Hour Challenge
June 5th and 6th, 2019
Hazel Teal discusses the benefits and challenges of running a short loot loop course, overcoming heat and humidity, running through the night, and why its ok to stop before the op running before the event ends.
Maryland Half Marathon
June 8th, 2019
Rachel Rosenblatt discusses why she keeps returning to this challenging Howard County race, despite having just run a 50K the previous weekend.
Episode 14 - Mid June 2019 Races
Baltimore Women's Classic
June 23, 2019
Karen Carey shared her experience at this premier local 5K around Federal Hill and the Baltimore waterfront.
Nevada Marathon
June 15, 2019
Melissa Badeker and Monica Basche shared their fun experiences from their travels out west to run down a mountain, starting in near freezing conditions and finishing in hot and sunny conditions with trashed quads and glutes...and big smiles on their faces from a unique race experience.
Episode 15 - Late June and Early July 2019 Races
National Senior Games
Late June 2019
David Flax traveled to Albuquerque, New Mexico to participate in the National Senior Games in the 5K and 10K events. He shared some of his experiences, from meeting the legendary Kathrine Switzer to participating in the opening ceremony and his race experiences.
Grandma's Half Marathon
June 22, 2019
Nick Klastava came on to share his experience at the 2019 Grandma's Half Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota in his year of preparing for an Olympic Qualifying Marathon time. He also shared his medical challenges just before this race and discussed the importance of self-care and being ready to re-prioritize goals during a training cycle.
Twilight Trail Race
July 3, 2019
Mike Vail came on to share his experience running in the woods at night at the 2019 Twilight Trail Race presented by the Baltimore Road Runners club at Cromwell Valley Park.
Arbutus Firecracker 10K
July 4, 2019
Host Glenn Smith shared his experience at the 2019 Arbutus Firecracker 10K. While Glenn recommended this race very highly, he didn't sugar coat the fact that there are some significant challenges that runners need to be ready for.
Episode 17 - Mid July 2019 Races
Sweet Air Trail Race
July 14, 2019
Glenn Smith and Buddy Weber discuss the fun times and unique challenges faced running a muddy course with river crossings in heat and high humidity for 7+ miles at the 2019 Sweet Air Trail Race presented by the Baltimore Road Runners Club.
Catoctin 50K Trail Run
July 20, 2019
David Seel of the Faster Bastards came on to share his experience running one of Maryland's most challenging trail 50K courses in temperatures reaching 100 degrees. Needless to say, it was a day of carnage on the trail and Dave shares his strategy for training, adjusting his race goals and strategies on the fly, and surviving a tough day to earn his card at the 2019 Catoctin 50K Trail Run.
Episode 18 - Late July and early August 2019 Races
Bunker Hill Trail Race
August 4, 2019
Buddy Weber came on to share his experience running two loops on the trails in northern Baltimore County, including the difference between the experience of loop 1 and loop 2, at the 2019 Bunker Hill Trail Race presented by the Baltimore Road Runners Club.
Arbutus Firecracker 10K
August 17, 2019
Host Glenn Smith shared his experience as a volunteer at the 2019 Dreaded Druid Hills 10K. This race was run in seasonably warm and humid conditions and features the most challenging 10K road course in the region, but Glenn shares stories from the race that help to explain this race's popularity among local runners.
Episode 19 - August 2019 Races
Ragnar Trail Appalachians
August 9-10, 2019
Karen Carey
River Valley Run
August 17, 2019
Bruce Sadler
Annapolis 10 Mile Run
August 25, 2019
Rachel Rosenblatt