This past weekend I ran all 3 legs of the Runners World Hat Trick in Bethlehem, PA. The races included a 5k, 10k, and 13.1. (Advertising referenced Goofy Challenge as the inspiration for a multi-race weekend) Packet pick-up was Friday night at the Steel Stacks complex which also served as the location the the 5k/10k start/finish on Saturday morning. The expo was housed in an outdoor tent and was very small. Outside the tent there was a large Nissan display with Shalane Flanagan meet & greet. Inside, large display areas for Runners World and Altra, the title sponsor. RunDisney was there and 3-4 other races, and about 5-6 merchandise sellers, the largest of which was a local running store - Aardvark Sports. The same bib was used for the 5k & 10k. There was a red cotton t-shirt for the Saturday races and a royal blue tech shirt for the half. Hat Trick runners received a tech hat. The shirts were nice, but the overall expo was a disappointment.
Saturday, the parking was probably the biggest negative. The lots nearest the start/finish line were reserved for employees & volunteers and were less than 1/4 full. Other options included pre-paid parking passes sold online that gave you access to certain lots with 4-6 blocks of the start/finish. There were cash lots and street parking available further away.
The 5k start was at 8:00 am. It was very well organized - corrals by pace, music, and a great rendition of the National Anthem. The course included a lot of turns, 2 fairly mild hills. The last 1.5 miles wound through the Steel Stacks complex, past The Sands Casino and had a really fun finish line. The 10k started at 9:30 and followed the same course as the 5K for the first and last 1.5 miles. The other 3+ miles were a fairly hilly course through town. Same finish and medals for both races - red ribbons for the 5k, orange for the 10k. The finish line area was organized very well - water, bagels, fruit. Nice secure area with plenty of space.
Sunday, the half began at 8:30 am. The start line was moved about a mile from the other start lines (finish was the same). So, it was quite an unexpected walk to the start - stopped in the casino because restrooms at the start line were very few. After the first mile, the course followed a similar route as the 5k and 10k (again, the same final 1.5 miles). This was one of the most challenging courses I've ever run, because of the hills. The course was very scenic, a lot of turns, and great fan support especially by the locals who came out to watch/cheer. Water & Gatorade stations on the course seemed to be well positioned and staffed. There were several medical tents and GU at mile 10. A larger medal was given for the half with a white velcro ribbon, as the medal itself is also a bottle opener. Gatorade and mylar blankets at the half finish.
Overall, the races themselves were a lot of fun - great courses, support, overall experience. Course was hilly - nothing like the area where I train. Although people complained about it, I thought it was "as advertised" and I really liked the challenge. For a Runners World event, I'd like to see more at the expo and hopefully, they can get the parking figured out.
Saturday, the parking was probably the biggest negative. The lots nearest the start/finish line were reserved for employees & volunteers and were less than 1/4 full. Other options included pre-paid parking passes sold online that gave you access to certain lots with 4-6 blocks of the start/finish. There were cash lots and street parking available further away.
The 5k start was at 8:00 am. It was very well organized - corrals by pace, music, and a great rendition of the National Anthem. The course included a lot of turns, 2 fairly mild hills. The last 1.5 miles wound through the Steel Stacks complex, past The Sands Casino and had a really fun finish line. The 10k started at 9:30 and followed the same course as the 5K for the first and last 1.5 miles. The other 3+ miles were a fairly hilly course through town. Same finish and medals for both races - red ribbons for the 5k, orange for the 10k. The finish line area was organized very well - water, bagels, fruit. Nice secure area with plenty of space.
Sunday, the half began at 8:30 am. The start line was moved about a mile from the other start lines (finish was the same). So, it was quite an unexpected walk to the start - stopped in the casino because restrooms at the start line were very few. After the first mile, the course followed a similar route as the 5k and 10k (again, the same final 1.5 miles). This was one of the most challenging courses I've ever run, because of the hills. The course was very scenic, a lot of turns, and great fan support especially by the locals who came out to watch/cheer. Water & Gatorade stations on the course seemed to be well positioned and staffed. There were several medical tents and GU at mile 10. A larger medal was given for the half with a white velcro ribbon, as the medal itself is also a bottle opener. Gatorade and mylar blankets at the half finish.
Overall, the races themselves were a lot of fun - great courses, support, overall experience. Course was hilly - nothing like the area where I train. Although people complained about it, I thought it was "as advertised" and I really liked the challenge. For a Runners World event, I'd like to see more at the expo and hopefully, they can get the parking figured out.
