Race #460 — 07/13/19 – The Scream! Half Marathon – Jonas Ridge, NC


Forgot to put on my watch that morning and didn’t think about it until I was about 50 miles from home, so limited data for this one.
Always one of my favorite races despite being a logistic nightmare, but getting there (and back) is half the fun!
Race Name: The Scream! Half Marathon
Location: Jonas Ridge, North Carolina
Date: July 13, 2019
Race Rating: 82*
*The score for this race is kind of low due to a few issues like parking, but despite the lower score it’s still well worth running and is highly recommended to anyone looking for a fast (and fun) race.
Winners:

My Age Group:

Course: First 2 miles on rolling hills in the mountains, followed by about 9 miles of mostly downhill running on an unpaved forestry road.
Elevation: About 2,400 elevation loss on the downhill makes it one of the fastest half marathons anywhere!
Weather at Start: It was muggy and warm this year, but no rain.
My Stats:
Time: 1:46:44
Pace: 8:08
Age Group: 1 of 6 
Overall: 63 of 290
Age Grade Percentage: 73.38%
Getting there is half the fun. This is on the free bus ride up to the start, with Ben Zachary, Robert Collea, and Debra Dandro.
  • RACE RATING *
RACE COURSE 
0 – Chip & Gun Timing: (3 points if yes)
5 – Water Stops: (0)none (2)normal (5)extras [Gu, sports drink, etc.]
1 – Course Marking: (0)bad (1)good
4 – 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
REGISTRATION 
2 – Cost: (0)expensive (2)reasonable (5)cheap!
0 – Race Day Registration: (0)no (3)yes
RESULTS 
2 – Posted online within 24 hours: (0)no (2)yes
1 – Easy to find results: (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)
0 – 14 and under group (1)
1 – 65+ group (1)
1 – 70+ group (1)
2 – Top Overall M/F: (0)none; (1) 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 
2 – Overall Winner Awards: (0)none (2)yes (5)excellent
2 – Age Group Awards: (0)none (2)yes (5)excellent
0 – Door Prizes or Drawing: (0-9)
5 – Finisher Medals for All Finishers: (0)no (3)yes (5)really cool medals
POST RACE 
9 – Food for Race Participants: (0-10 with 5 being average)
5 – Entertainment: (0)no (1-9)yes
2 – 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
3 – Design: (1-5)
2 – Material Quality: (1-3)
2 – Discount for no-shirt option: (0)no (2)yes
PHOTOGRAPHY 
0 – Professional Photography: (0)no (5)yes
0 – Prices: (1)expensive (3)reasonable (5)cheap
0 – Free Photographs (newspaper, etc.): (0)no (1-10)yes
PARKING 
0 – Close to Start: (2)yes (0)no
0 – Close to Finish: (2)yes (0)no
2 – Plenty of spaces: (2)yes (0)no
2 – Free Parking: (2)yes (0)no
OTHER 
2 – 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
0 – Kids Fun Run: (0)no (2)yes
x – Miscellaneous not covered above: (-10 to +10)
TOTAL: 82

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