This was my 2nd year running the Tartan Trot 10K. While the course is challenging at times, it is a wonderful race to say the least. The race is held at St. Luke's Presbyterian Church and proceeds their outreach efforts throughout the year. There is a 10K, 5K, 1 mile fun run and a tot trot, so the race is very family friendly.
Due to limited parking at the church, runners must park in a shopping center parking lot not too far from the church. You have the option to either ride a shuttle or walk/run to the church. A lot of races that I have done with shuttles have been nightmares to say the least (long lines, long periods of time between shuttles, etc). Tartan Trot is totally on their game with the shuttle service. As one bus pulled out, another was pulling up to load which made the process quick and painless to say the least.
Once we got to the church, we went to get our bibs. My only complaint about the entire race was that they were handing out the shirts at bib pickup. Remember, you just rode a shuttle to the church....what are we supposed to do with the shirts? The volunteers suggested either wearing the shirt or wrapping it around your waist which I was not going to do for 6.2 miles. There was a "bag check" however we were not aware of this so we did not have a bag to put it in (no bags at check-in to use either). They ended up allowing us to get our shirts after the race, so the issue was resolved eventually. One huge plus of this race is that they provide runners with gloves - WIN!
We quickly met up with a few friends before we headed out to the race start.
Due to limited parking at the church, runners must park in a shopping center parking lot not too far from the church. You have the option to either ride a shuttle or walk/run to the church. A lot of races that I have done with shuttles have been nightmares to say the least (long lines, long periods of time between shuttles, etc). Tartan Trot is totally on their game with the shuttle service. As one bus pulled out, another was pulling up to load which made the process quick and painless to say the least.
Once we got to the church, we went to get our bibs. My only complaint about the entire race was that they were handing out the shirts at bib pickup. Remember, you just rode a shuttle to the church....what are we supposed to do with the shirts? The volunteers suggested either wearing the shirt or wrapping it around your waist which I was not going to do for 6.2 miles. There was a "bag check" however we were not aware of this so we did not have a bag to put it in (no bags at check-in to use either). They ended up allowing us to get our shirts after the race, so the issue was resolved eventually. One huge plus of this race is that they provide runners with gloves - WIN!
We quickly met up with a few friends before we headed out to the race start.
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The race started at 8:30 SHARP - huge plus in my eyes (I am a firm believer in promptness). For part of my final Princess Half Marathon weekend preparations, I am running a simulation of the Glass Slipper Challenge (10K Saturday and half marathon Sunday) so I knew that I needed to save my legs for tomorrow going into the 10K. I took the race at a nice easy pace and just enjoyed the course and support along the way.
The first mile or so was a bit congested until the 5K broke off from the 10K, so it was a little hard to get started at a good pace. In a way it was a blessing because it helped me save energy for the later miles when you hit some pretty long uphill segments.
I ended up having a decent race and ran it over a minute faster than last year (when I was pushing it) so that was a huge positive. I really love this race and look forward to running it again in 2016.
The first mile or so was a bit congested until the 5K broke off from the 10K, so it was a little hard to get started at a good pace. In a way it was a blessing because it helped me save energy for the later miles when you hit some pretty long uphill segments.
I ended up having a decent race and ran it over a minute faster than last year (when I was pushing it) so that was a huge positive. I really love this race and look forward to running it again in 2016.
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