Race #505 -- Goat Island Games 5k -- Cramerton, NC -- 08/28/21


Good race except it was about two-tenths of a mile too long, resulting in an extra minute or two of slower race times. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Big Ben Kassel, the overall winner, had it at 3.35 miles on his Garmin. Mine showed 3.24 miles, and I heard other varying distances from other runners. Either way, it wasn't my best showing even if it had been the correct distance, but not so terrible as my time of 27:45 might indicate.

Aside from the distance discrepancy, there were lots of good things. The course scenery is above average, and Goat Island Park is a beautiful park along the South Fork River with playgrounds for kids, a fishing pier, and other amenities. The race was just one part of a day filled with different activities and contests (disc golf tournament, cornhole tournament, fishing tournament, ping pong competition, etc.) as well as live music.

The race had a lot of uphill in the first half, going up to the high school, and quite a bit of downhill in the second half back to the finish line. While I haven't really gone back to the Galloway Run/Walk method of racing, I could be headed back in that direction as I have a hard time not walking in races. In this one, I took 7 unplanned walk breaks. I'm not sure if my problem is due to bad pacing, aging, or the loss of whatever little bit of "killer instinct" I used to have to try to outrun people. 

I did manage to win the 65-and-over age group, and the custom medals for the awards were quite nice. There were also free race pics (always a great perk) and in addition to regular post-race food there were free chicken biscuits, cookies, and brownies from the local Chick-Fil-A. 

Post race with Paulina Avila, Mitch James, Big Ben Kassel, and me. Ben and Paulina were 1st overall male and female in the race!


Race Name:  Goat Island Games 5k

Location:  Cramerton, North Carolina

Date: August 28, 2021

Race Rating:  91

Top 10 Overall:


Course:


Elevation by Mile:


Weather at Start:


Click Here for Race Results


Click Here for FREE Race Photos


My Stats:

  • Time:  27:45
  • Pace:  8:35 (actual)
  • Age Group:  1 of 3
  • Overall:  33 of 135
  • Average Heart Rate:  156
  • Maximum Heart Rate:  167
  • Age Grade Percentage:  62.79%

Bob Paratore and me at the awards. We were 1st and 2nd in the 65+ age group.


***************

* RACE RATING *

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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

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!

0 - Certified Course: (0)no  (2) yes

0 - 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)

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

3 - Door Prizes or Drawing: (0-9)

0 - Finisher Medals for All Finishers: (0)no  (3)yes  (5)really cool medals


POST RACE 

8 - Food for Race Participants: (0-10 with 5 being average)

7 - Venue (Entertainment, Race Setting, etc.): (1-9)

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


REST ROOMS 

0 - Porta Potties:  (0)no  (1)limited, long lines  (2)plentiful

1 - Indoor Restrooms: (0)no  (1)limited, long lines  (2)plentiful


T-SHIRTS

2 - T-Shirts: (0)no  (2)yes

4 - 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, 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

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


TOTAL:  91


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