Race #508 -- OrthoCarolina 5k Classic -- Charlotte, NC -- 09/18/21


For this year only, the OrthoCarolina 10k/5k Classic was moved from its normal location at the main OrthoCarolina location in Uptown Charlotte to the South Park Mall area. With a 15k on my schedule for next week and a half marathon in four weeks, I decided to just run the 5k option this time around.

The Good

  • I managed to barely squeak in under 25 minutes at 24:56. These days that's my goal. 
  • Plenty of free parking at the South Park Mall location.
  • Course wasn't flat but there weren't any huge hills.
  • Professional photography pics were nice.
  • Nice size race with 316 finishers in the 10k and 251 in the 5k. Big enough for plenty of age group competition and small enough that you don't get lost in the crowd.
  • Shirt is nice and I actually got one despite signing up late.


The Bad

  • As nice as the pro photos were, they were also too expensive at $20 for a single photo or $50 for all of your photos. 



Race Name:  OrthoCarolina 10k/5k Classic

Location:  Charlotte, North Carolina

Date: September 18, 2021

Race Rating:  89

Top 10 (10k):


Top 10 (5k):


My Age Group (65-69 in the 5k):


Course:


Elevation by Mile:


Weather at Start:



Click Here for Race Results


Click Here for Race Photos


My Stats:

  • Time:  24:56
  • Pace:  8:02
  • Age Group (65-69):  1 of 8  
  • Overall:  23 of 251
  • Average Heart Rate:  155
  • Maximum Heart Rate:  167
  • Age Grade Percentage:  69.92%

I'm trying to walk less in races and managed to make it 2 miles before walking in this one, then walked again at around 2.8 miles. Still it's an improvement over a month ago.


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

* RACE RATING *

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


RACE COURSE 

3 - 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

7 - 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 

0 - 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)

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

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)

5 - 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)

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

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 

5 - Professional Photography: (0)no  (5)yes

1 - 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

2 - 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

2 - Kids Fun Run: (0)no   (2)yes

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


TOTAL:  89


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