Race #261 - Fighting ALS with Jay 5k - Fort Mill, SC - 06/28/14

This was the 2nd annual "Fighting ALS with Jay 5k" held for Jay Tolar, who now lives in Fort Mill, South Carolina. Last year's race was held in San Antonio, Texas, where Jay was living at that time. This year's race was handled by Start2Finish Event Management, which with their great use of technology is becoming one of my favorites. Every race they've done that I've been a part of has been outstanding as far as timing, quick results, great finish line, etc., and this one was no exception.

Pros:

  • Nice size -- Not too big and not too small (287 finishers).
  • Immediate printout of your race results as soon as you finish.
  • Nice finish on middle school track.
  • Nice medal for age group winners.
  • Finish line video for all runners posted on YouTube...
Cons:

  • No complaints other than the sound on the video (you might want to turn your volume down).
Click Here for Race Results

 My Stats:

Time:  21:34
Pace:  6:57
Age Group: 1 of  6
Overall:  17 of  287 (6%)
Average Heart Rate:  166
Maximum Heart Race:  176
Age Graded Equivalent Time: 17:03  (75.7%)

Me and wife Linda (she won her age group!) and our friend Jennifer from SC.
Notice the "finisher whistles" that were given to all of the race finishers.


***************
* RACE RATING *
***************

RACE COURSE
3 - Chip Timing: (3 points if yes)
0 - Starting Mat: (2 points if yes)
2 - Water Stops: (0)none  (2)normal  (5)extras [Gu, sports drink, etc.]
1 - Course Marking:  (0)bad  (1)good
3 - Course Scenery:  (0-5) 1=bad  and 5=fantastic
1 - Mile Markers: (0)poor or none  (1)normal  (2)with clocks or time called out
2 - Volunteers:  (0)too few  (2)good
7 - Finish line: (0-9)   0=bad  and 9=spectacular!
2 - Certified Course: (0)no  (2) yes
2 - Correct Distance: (0)no  (2)yes
0 - Partly or fully on unpaved roads:  (0)yes*  (1)no (*small section of grass)

REGISTRATION
2 - Cost:  (0)expensive  (2)reasonable  (5)cheap!
3 - Race Day Registration:  (0)no  (3)yes

RESULTS
2 - Posted promptly online:  (0)no  (2)yes
1 - Clear link on website:  (0)no  (1)yes

AGE GROUPS
2 - 3 deep awards: (2)yes (0 for anything less)
5 - 5-year age groups (5 points) (0 for anything less)
1 - 14 and under group (1)
1 - 65+ group (1)
1 - 70+ group (1)
2 - Top Overall M/F:  (0)none or first only  (2)top 3 or better
2 - Masters Category(40+): (0)no  (2)yes
0 - Grand Masters Category (50+):  (0)no  (3)yes
0 - Senior Grand Masters Category: (0)no  (5)yes

AWARDS
5 - Overall Winner Awards: (0)none  (2)yes  (5)excellent
5 - Age Group Awards: (0)none  (2)yes  (5)excellent
5 - Door Prizes or Drawing: (0)no  (2)yes   (5-9)fabulous door prizes!
3 - Finisher Medals for All Finishers: (0)no  (3)yes*  (5)really cool medals
       (*Not a medal but all finishers received a whistle... kinda neat...)

POST RACE
5 - Food for Race Participants: (0-10 with 5 being average)
4 - Entertainment:  (0)no  (1-9)yes
0 - Finisher times posted after race:  (0)no  (2)yes

REST ROOMS
2 - Porta Potties:  (0)no  (1)limited, long lines  (2)plentiful
0 - Indoor Restrooms: (0)no  (1)limited, long lines  (2)plentiful

T-SHIRTS
2 - T-Shirts: (0)no  (2)yes
2 - Design: (0)not good  (1)not bad  (2)nice  (5)beautiful!
0 - Material: (0)cotton  (2)technical fabric
0 - Discount for no-shirt option:  (0)no (2)yes

PHOTOGRAPHY
0 - Professional Photography: (0)no  (5)yes
x - Prices: (0)expensive  (2)reasonable  (5)cheap!
0 - Free Photographs (newspaper, etc.):  (0)no  (2)yes  (5)lots of free pics!

PARKING
2 - Close to Start:  (2)yes  (0)no
2 - Close to Finish:  (2)yes  (0)no
2 - Plenty of spaces:  (2)yes  (0)no
2 - Free Parking:  (2)yes  (0)no

OTHER
0 - Shelter from Inclement Weather (needed or not): (0)no  (2)yes
0 - Swag (free socks, water bottles, etc.): (0)no  (2)yes, some  (5)excellent
0 - Part of race series or Grand Prix:  (0)no  (2)yes


TOTAL:  86

Me and Ken Simpson after the awards. I won the 60-64 age group and he won the 70-and-over division.
Besides the winners certificate all of the age group winners received a nice custom-made medal.


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