Race #492 -- Belmont Classic 5k -- Belmont, NC -- 05/15/2021

This was my tenth time running the Belmont Classic 5k, having only missed the 2013 race since I began running. It's been one of my favorite local races and most years it's been a good one. With the temperature in the low 50s at the start of the race, it was definitely cooler than normal but probably helped with some race times. Again, my goal was to reach a 155 heart rate and run at that level for the entire race. As usual, I sputtered through the first mile as my heart rate climbed, and the first hill had me walking a short distance until I was able to get back to running. I knew that the biggest challenge would be the big hill in the last mile and I was hoping to get through that without walking again. It worked out for me, and I was able to keep a pretty steady 155 heart rate going up the last hill with no more walking. 

The good news is that I finished in 24:25 with a 7:52 pace, my fastest 5k since returning to running this year. Even better, it was 18 seconds faster than the 24:43 I ran two years ago in 2019 at the same race, so I must be making some progress! Admittedly, 2019 wasn't a good year for me, but seeing an improvement two years later is a rarity for me. Looking back at my 2019 results I noticed that I had also improved my time at last week's Cherry Blossom 5k.

There were Covid restrictions in place and the race had a staggered start. I ended up starting almost dead last since the time didn't start until each runner crossed the starting line. I chose to start late partly because it's kind of fun to pass a bunch of people in the first mile, but also to avoid head-to-head battles with people I'm not able to beat in a 5k at the present time (I'm looking at you, Tim Hepler and Robert Peterson). I think for now I'm better off just racing against the clock and not being overly concerned with who else is in the vicinity as I'm running. The pandemic restrictions were removed the other day so soon races should go back to normal, with everybody starting at the same time. 

Race Name:  Belmont Classic 5k

Location:  Belmont, North Carolina

Date:  May 15, 2021

Race Rating:  61

Top 10:

Course:


Elevation by Mile:


Weather at Start:


Click Here for Race Results


My Stats:

  • Time:  24:25
  • Pace:  7:52
  • Age Group (65-69):  1 of 4   
  • Overall:  31 of 101
  • Age Grade Percentage:  71.40%


Some of my stats were a little wonky since I didn't get my watch turned off until about 5 minutes after the race. 

This is the heart rate data for each mile. As always, I spent the first mile trying to get my heart up to 155 beats per minute. The second mile I did okay staying right around 155 (or just under). In the third mile with the big hill, I went higher than 155 but mostly stayed under 160. I went over 160 when the finish line was in sight.


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* RACE RATING *

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RACE COURSE 

0 - Chip & Gun Timing: (3 points if yes) (was chip only)

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

0 - Mile Markers: (0)poor or none  (1)normal  (2)with clocks or time called out

2 - Volunteers:  (0)too few  (2)good

5 - 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!

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)

0 - 5-year age groups (5 points) (0 for anything less)

1 - 14 and under group (1)

0 - 65+ group (1)

1 - 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

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)

0 - 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)

0 - Entertainment:  (0)no  (1-9)yes

1 - Finisher times posted after race:  (0)no  (2)yes (online only)


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

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

2 - Kids Fun Run: (0)no   (2)yes

0 - Miscellaneous not covered above: (-10 to +10)


TOTAL:  61

Thanks to Lynn Ramsey for the post-race group pic!


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