Review: Crawfish Crawl

What: Crawfish Crawl
Where: Tualatin

When: Aug. 1, 2015

Distance: 5K (10k + Half Marathon races available too)

I signed up for the Crawfish Crawl mostly because a couple of my running/walking friends said they were planning to do it. They made it sound like it would be fun so I was all, "Ok. I'll give it a go."

Knowing the course was somewhat similar to the Rum Run helped too. I had really enjoyed the jaunt to Cook Park when I took park in that event so I figured it'd be a win so I signed up.

The race started near Tualatin Commons, just down at the way the Crawfish Festival. It took us up the trail to Cook Park and through Cook Park and back. (I took part in the 5k. There was also a 10K and a half marathon.)

The course was relatively flat. And while the trail to Cook Park is fairly narrow, the HTC Race Series folks helped keep it orderly with lots of volunteers along the way and cones that broke the trail into two lanes. This was great because it made for easy passage and also easy mingling with folks not taking part in the race but on the trail. 

To add to the fun, this race also had a costume contest. Me and my running pal? Yeah. We dig that costume thing and both decided to give it go. I crafted together a crawfish costume with a visor (complete with big eyes and crawfish antennae and an "Eat Chicken" sign) while my buddy work full-on crawfish costume. 

We weren't really sure how the judging worked. Turns out it was at the end of the race, after all the speed winners were announced. We waited... and waited... and waited. We went up (with one other costume wearer) to the stage. And they said we all won.  I am pretty sure they pretty much made our whole month!  ;) We each came home with a bottle of wine, headphones and a Crawfish Crawl glass (similar to the ones all the age group time winners received).

What we got:

Of course, there was a fantastic Finisher's Medal.

We also received a goodie bag with a snacks and coupons for local businesses. And we got an orange Tech shirt. And we got a coupon for a free drink (non alcoholic) and a free alcoholic drink (beer or wine).

Final Thoughts:

For the costume contest alone, I will be back next year! ;) 

Review: 2015 Red White & Blues

What: Red White & Blues
Where: Downtown Portland

When: July 5, 2015

Distance: 5K (10k race was available too)

It was no question whether I'd sign up again when I saw registration for this year's Red White & Blues race open up. It was pretty much done upon learning it was open. 

Like last year, there were two distance options (5k and 10k). I opted for the 5k in order to give myself a little extra room to take my time.

The 5k course was one loop. The 10k course was 2 loops.

The course was right along the Portland waterfront. It started and finished near the fountain. The course took us up Naito Parkway, over the Morrison bridge, up and down Water and then over the Hawthorne bridge to the Finish Line. It was relatively flat other than over the Morrison bridge and then going up the ramp to the Hawthorne bridge.

My favorite part was the Finish Line. Ok, and let's just be real for a minute: Who doesn't love the Finish Line? He he! 

What was cool was it ended right at the fountain on the Waterfront. So being a hot day and all, if you desired, you could have run through it. I resisted ... but, boy, was I tempted. ;) Of course, not seeing any other adults doing it, I figured I should hold off. But still... wink. 

What we got:

Each participant received a Finisher's Medal and flag at the Finish Line.  

We also received a race shirt and some assorted goodies (a Franz pie, chips of some sort, beef jerky, a Clif bar and some papers with special offers from places in the local area. 

We also received two coupons attached to our bib to redeem at the Finish Line. One was for a beer or wine and other other for water or a soda.

Final thoughts:

If you are looking for a stress free 5k to take part in, this is a great one!  You get the whole experience of a timed race, but you have the comfort of knowing that a 10k is happening at the same time so that time is built into the race. That way it's OK if takes you a little longer to get it done.

Review: Red White and Blues

What: Red White and Blues
Where: Downtown Portland

When: July 6, 2014

Distance: 5K

I go slow so it's always a concern for me if I'm going to go too slow to fall within race time limits. So when I saw this race had a 10K, I figured it was a safe bet for me to do the 5k.

This race coincided with the Waterfront Blues festival so it started at the festival, went down and up the waterfront, across the river over the Burnside Bridge, next to the river and then back over the Hawthorne Bridge, where it ended at the festival.
The course was (mostly) flat, outside of crossing over the bridges.

I really enjoyed the course. I mean, it's good any time you can race in the daytime next to the water.
Everything went well, except just before the Hawthorne Bridge,  I stumbled on a sidewalk crack. I managed to catch myself, escaping injury. But I will admit that I felt some strong pain in my foot for a couple days afterwards.

At the end of the race, we were treated to some blues at the festival.

I think I took this picture about 8:30 a.m. ;)

What we got:

We received a t-shirt with our entry fee, as well as a goodie bag. We also received a really cool medal at the finish line, irregardless of how far we ran.

I must say that is probably one of my favorite race medals I've received!

Our race bibs included a ticket for a free beer or non-alcoholic beverage and free bottle of water.
I had heard some folks complain that they were limited to one bottle of water. Since I was wearing a water pack, it wasn't an issue for me. It was a hot day thought so I totally understood where they were coming from.

Final thoughts:
I can't wait to do this one again next year!