Where: Vancouver, BC
When: Oct. 24, 2015
Distance: 10K (Half Marathon races available the next day too)
This was a bucket list item of sorts for me this year.
After completing both Portland and Seattle Rock 'n' Roll runs this year, a trip to Vancouver meant the opportunity to score a bonus medal from the Rock 'n' Roll series. Whatever the distance, if you completed all three stops, you could score a Cascadia medal.
When I mentioned that I was thinking of going, my running buddy's ears perked. I was just going for the Cascadia medal as I am just mostly a short distance girl. But she completes a lot of half marathons in the RNR Series and would qualify for even more medals by going, including the coveted World Rocker medal, so a road trip we planned. ;)
My pal signed up for the half marathon and the 10k. I just did the 10k.
The 10k happened on Saturday, while the half was the next day. I am slow. She is speedy. Usually, I assume my spot at the back of the pack and say, "I'll meet you the finish line. Good luck!"
She decided this time to go slow with me as she was doing the half the next day as well.
Because this run happened the week before Halloween, we were encouraged to wear costumes. I decided to be a "crazy" American and dressed in red, complete with a tutu and visor. The white and blue came in the form of dollar store pompoms and an assortment of stars and tulle bows (on the back of my hydration pack and on my visor and shoes). My pal was the patriotic M&M! ;)
The course was flat and fast. It was along Vancouver's Seawall.
When a visiting Canadian friend of mine mentioned before the race to me it was along the Seawall, I must admit that I wasn't that impressed. I figured it would be like Portland where there's water. You walk and run by the water but you deal with traffic too. Boy, it was sure not like that all. It was dream!
The Seawall has a path for walking and biking. No cars. It literally takes you right along the water and beach. The whole 10K was impressive with beautiful views of the water, sand and the city in the background.
It was very flat. Let's be honest: I'm a total weanie when it comes to hills. If there were hills, I feel they weren't noticeable. At one point, a runner quipped as she went by me that she was so happy that we were going downhill at that point. Immediately, the thought passed through my head, "If that was a hill, this is my dream race." Hee!
One thing the RnR series does so well is provide live music along the course. There wasn't really an abundance of music during this race, but there was some. I particularly got a kick out of the Elvis act toward the end. I regret not stopping for a quick selfie with him, but at that point, my mind was focused on reaching the Finish Line so Elvis and I simply exchanged high 5s as I buzzed by him.
What we got:
Of course, we got a medal. The RnR series is great at having opportunities to earn bling and bonus race bling. For completing the Portland and Seattle races as well, we received a bonus "Cascadia" medal.
Runners who completed both the Vancouver 10k and the half marathon received a special Vancouver RnR spinner medal. Also, if you completed a half marathon in the USA previously and the half in Vancouver, you could bring home a World Rocker medal. (And there was also the opportunity to earn those awesome heavy medals for those taking part in the half marathon. For my running buddy, it was RnR Half #9 this year! For real!)
Besides the bling, we received a tech shirt. And we received coupons for a free beer in the Beer Garden after the race.
Final Thoughts:
It was so fun! It was a lot of work completing three runs to get the bonus medal, but I'm so glad I took part! Also, big props to Lisa, an RnR Ambassador for Vancouver. I remember talking to her in Portland about the run. She made me want to take part, just because of her enthusiasm. I had never met her before but she definitely made an impression on me. I saw her at the race during the weekend talking to other runners and giving high 5's to folks as they came in on Sunday after the half marathon. I've done a lot of runs and rarely have I seen a race ambassador take such an active row aole in cheering other runners on (even us slow folks) and be so involved. Thanks, Lisa, for your excitement!
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