Race #473 -- Running with the Good News 5k -- Dallas, NC -- 09/28/19

After running quite a few bigger races lately, it was nice to get back to one of the smaller races in the Gaston County race series. This year's race had 114 finishers, and I usually like this kind of race where you can park near the start/finish, visit with everybody you know, and not get lost in the shuffle. With only 77 feet of elevation gain, it's also one of the flattest races around and my time of 22:53 landed me in 5th place overall (another nice perk of smaller races) although it might have been just a little short. My Garmin measured 3.04 miles and I heard somebody else mention 3.07, but it was close enough.

The race was sponsored by Promised Land Baptist Church, and the pastor not only served as race director but also ran the race. All of the proceeds benefited their Nicaraguan mission fund. Age groups were limited to 1-deep in 10-year age groups, but the awards for 1st place were nice but small trophies (rare these days), and really nice trophies for the top 3 male and female overall trophies (I just missed it). Oddly, this was offset in all finishers receiving a really nice custom made medal, and I spoke to the pastor after the race who assured me that next year he would have 3-deep age group awards in 5-year age groups next year (he's still learning how all of this works).

All in all though, it was a fun race and I'll plan on being back to run it again next year.

Race Name: Running with the Good News 5k

Location:  Dallas, North Carolina

Date: September 28, 2019

Race Rating:  76

Top 10 Overall:


Course:


Elevation Per Mile:


Weather at Start:


Click Here for Race Results


My Stats:

Time:  22:53
Pace:  7:23
Age Group: 1 of 6 
Overall:  5 of 114
Average Heart Rate:  157
Maximum Heart Rate:  167
Age Grade Percentage:  74.65%

There was no official race photographer, but there was a photographer from the About Face Boot Camp who took pics of their members. Not sure where to find those (didn't see them on their Facebook page) but somebody sent me this one.


***************
* 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!
0 - 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
0 - 3 deep awards: (2)yes (0 for anything less)
0 - 5-year age groups (5 points) (0 for anything less)
1 - 10 and under group (1)
1 - 65+ group (1)
0 - 70+ group (1)
2 - 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
5 - 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 
6 - Food for Race Participants: (0-10 with 5 being average)
4 - 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
0 - Prices: (1)expensive  (3)reasonable  (5)cheap
0 - Free Photographs (newspaper, 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
0 - Swag (free socks, water bottles, etc.): (0)no  (2)yes, some  (5)excellent
2 - Part of race series or Grand Prix:  (0)no  (2)yes
0 - Kids Fun Run: (0)no   (2)yes
0 - Miscellaneous not covered above: (-10 to +10)

TOTAL:  76



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