Race #464 — 08/10/19 – 7th Inning Stretch 5k – Shelby NC



This race is held as a part of the 7th Inning Stretch Festival, celebrating the American Legion World Series, which is held in Shelby every year. It’s well managed and has become one of my favorite summertime 5k’s over the last three years that I’ve run it.
Race Name: 7th Inning Stretch 5k
Location: Shelby, North Carolina
Date: August 10, 2019
Race Rating: 87
Winners (Top 30 Overall):

Overall winner Ben Kassel is a great runner with an incredible story. Three years ago he was overweight and out of shape. He dropped 110 pounds and won the first 5k he entered, and many more since then. He recently ran a 2:38 marathon as well! Read more about his amazing transformation in this Runner’s World article.
Course:


Elevation per Mile:

Weather at Start:


My Stats:
Time: 23:40
Pace: 7:37
Age Group: 1 of 4
Overall: 17 of 153
Average Heart Rate: 158
Maximum Heart Rate: 169
Age Grade Percentage: 72.18%

  • RACE RATING *
RACE COURSE 
0 – Chip & Gun Timing: (3 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
6 – Finish line: (0-9) 0=bad and 9=spectacular!
2 – Certified Course: (0)no (2) yes
2 – Correct Distance: (0)no (2)yes
1 – Partly or fully on unpaved roads: (0)yes (1)no
REGISTRATION 
2 – Cost: (0)expensive (2)reasonable (5)cheap!
3 – 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)
1 – 14 and under group (1)
1 – 65+ group (1)
1 – 70+ group (1)
1 – Top Overall M/F: (0)none; (1) first only; (2)top 3 or better
0 – 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
2 – Age Group Awards: (0)none (2)yes (5)excellent
0 – Door Prizes or Drawing: (0-9)
0 – Finisher Medals for All Finishers: (0)no (3)yes (5)really cool medals
POST RACE 
5 – 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)
0 – Discount for no-shirt option: (0)no (2)yes
PHOTOGRAPHY 
0 – Professional Photography: (0)no (5)yes
x – Prices: (1)expensive (3)reasonable (5)cheap
7 – Free Photographs (newspaper, Facebook, etc.): (0)no (1-10)yes
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
5 – 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: 87

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