Plus/Minus on the GP races

My brief take on each of the USATF NE grand prix races, I felt may have been the best Grand Prix I’ve had the pleasure of taking part in (I’ve run in 109 of the 215 GP race).  I heard of no major issues with any of the races this year.  Bidding for next year takes place in early November.

 

Five Colleges 10m

Plus – wide start, challenging course, always a great post-race selection of hot foods

Minus – high entry fee, prize money on the bid and actually given were not equal, unpaved icy or muddy section of the course

 

New Bedford ½ marathon

Plus – fast course, closed to traffic, clearly marked course and mile markers, excellent race management

Minus – high entry fee, possibly the worst food selection post-race

 

Vermont City Marathon

Plus – great course for runners and spectators, closed to traffic, well-marked, clocks at miles, very professionally managed, seeded start corrals

Minus – the bike path was a bit congested and had a lot of potholes

 

Hollis Fast 5k

Plus – Fast course, closed to traffic (half the road after 1m), separate starts, excellent management

Minus – Thursday night, point-to-point additional logistics, ran out of pre-race water

 

Bobby Doyle 5m

Plus – well marked course, fair to fast course, plenty of parking, well organized

Minus – narrow start with a sharp turn early

 

Seasons 20k

Plus – rolling mostly shaded course, plenty of parking, plenty of porta-johns, wide start

Minus – high entry fee, not all miles clearly marked, not enough volunteers at the earlier water-stops

 

Lone Gull 10k

Plus – reasonable entry fee, plenty of parking, fair course, good post-race food selection

Minus – Not enough pre-race porta-johns, start ½ mile from parking across a lot of sand