Where: Everett, Washington
When: Oct. 12, 2014
Distance: 5K
This race has been on my bucket list since the 2013 one in Seattle. Just one I wanted to do.
So when they announced this year's race, I quickly signed up and announced to a couple of my friends up north that I was planning on making the trip for this event.
Lucky for me that a month or so before the race, my friends agreed to do it with me. It's always so much fun when you do it with friends.
My friend, B, and I went to packet pickup the day before. We really weren't sure many people the race would draw so we figured it would be our best bet. Plus, they said there was a race expo to check out.
Packet pickup was seamless, although, unfortunately, a volunteer had given my number out to someone else so I had to get a different number. Ask me how I know? Yeah. After the race I was checking out the results and saw my name (and hometown) and assigned race number ... and certainly not the time I completed in it. Someone had used my original bib. That disappointed me as we were supposed to show photo ID to pick up our numbers, which I did.
The expo was pretty tiny with a handful of vendors and a lot of talks. We didn't stick around any of talks, but we did quick tour of the booths. Enjoyed some some juice and bread samples.
On Race Day, we arrived at the location. We were told it was $2 to park, but we ended up finding a free parking spot and didn't have to pay. And bonus! We pretty much were parked right by the finish/start line.
My friend, P, had to pick up his packet that morning. It was a quick process, although there was a problem. They didn't have his requested shirt size, but they made it right by letting him pick out a different apparel item. Much appreciated.
The course itself was flat and fast and out and back. On a scale of 1 to 5 for difficulty, I'd rank it a 1. Not strenuous at all.
The course took us on a street right across from the Everett docks. We never left that street. We went up a ramp and then turned around and went our way back.
About halfway into the race, we were met by blaring music and by Biggest Loser contestant (and super nice guy) Jackson Carter. Jackson was super nice, giving high 5s and posing for pictures. There was also a water stop near by.
We were pretty slow to complete our 5K. So we were at the end of the pack of the 5k'rs but a bit ahead of most of the half marathoners. Bikers escorted the quickest half marathoners, telling us they were approaching so we could move to the side of the road for them and not worry about getting run over.
We made it to finish line and each received a finisher's medal, as well as water, a banana and bagel.
What we got:
A T-shirt, a nap sack (complete with some goodies, including vitamins, coupons and a few snacks) and a Finisher's Medal. There was one for the 5K and a special location-specific one for the Half Marathon.
We also had the opportunity to meet and get our pictures taken with a couple folks, who had appeared on the Biggest Loser show. At this race were Jackie and Dan Evans, Vinny Hickerson and Jackson.
Final thoughts:
It was a fun event. Definitely a super friendly race with nice folks. And definitely one that anyone could do... whether you've done a ton of races or are just doing your first one.
I'd consider doing this one again, although I'd love to do one that's closer to me than this one was.
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