Race #515 - Community Foundation Run 5k - Gastonia NC - 04/09/22


This race has shrunk in size over the years, possibly because of Covid. Ten years ago in 2012, when the race was called "Run for the Money," there were 1,315 runners in the 5k, not counting the walkers who outnumbered the runners. This year there were only 372 runners, but it's still probably the biggest running event of the year in Gaston County.

The purpose of the race is to raise money for local nonprofits, and the top two runners in each age division can allocate funds to the nonprofit of their choice. My choice was Gaston Residential Services. 

Notably, the venue has moved from the center of downtown to the new Gastonia Honey Hunters baseball stadium a few blocks away. It's a beautiful stadium and I think it was a good move. The course is different but on some of the same streets, and I'm not sure who designed the course but I think there are way too many turns on it, but that's just my opinion. I didn't run well, but I never do these days, although I did manage to win the 70-and-over age group. 


Race Name:  Community Foundation Run

Location:  Gastonia, North Carolina

Date: April 9, 2022

Race Rating:  76

Top 10 (Male):



Top 10 (Female):


Course:

I counted 24 turns... seems a little excessive.

Elevation:


Weather at Start:

A cold day in April!

Click Here for Race Results


My Stats:

  • Time:  26:29
  • Pace:  8:32
  • Age Group:  1 of 8  
  • Overall:  119 of 372
  • Average Heart Rate:  156
  • Maximum Heart Rate:  174
  • Age Grade Percentage:  66.58%



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

* RACE RATING *

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RACE COURSE 

3 - Chip Timing (Start & Finish Mat): (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!

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

0 - Easy to find results:  (0)no  (1)yes


AGE GROUPS

0 - 3 deep awards: (2)yes (0 for anything less)*
       * Awards only 2 deep

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

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 

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

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

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


REST ROOMS 

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

2 - 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

0 - No shirt/No discount for late registration (-3)



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

2 - 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:  76


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