Active Community: Message List - 2011 Pensacola Beach Run Reviews

Re: 2011 Pensacola Beach Run Reviews

guest — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 23:30:11 GMT

Beautiful scenery - good weather. I did the 10K and was really confused on where to turn around - I did see people turning before the actual turn. Needs to be better marked in the future. Great volunteers. LOVED the packet pick up at the Grand Marlin - had an appetizer and a glass of wine before picking up packet - enjoyed that.

Great cold beer BUT lack of food - the red beans and rice were fantastic - but really needed something else. I did the Make it to the Line at the Florabama in December and they served red beans and rice, a salad and some bread - I was starving after running the 10K and needed a little more. Did not see where I could even order some food at the Sandshaker. Liked the after party at the Sandshaker though - tent was nice and warm.

Loved having the Chiropractor - Dr Bourjon doing stretching - nice for him to give his time.

Over all enjoyed the day - will do again next year.

Thanks to all the volunteers - as usual they were great and very friendly!!!!!!

Re: 2011 Pensacola Beach Run Reviews

guest — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 22:55:32 GMT

Awesome weather for starters. Started a little chilly but warmed up rather nicely. I just finished DISNEY that week before and a smaller crowd was very nice compared with the 22,000 at DISNEY. The course was laid out very nice and they were a lot of supporters and cheerers on the course. Did get a little confusing in the very beginnning when the turn around points started but since I was do the HALF just kept going and knew the course layout since a map had been posted for weeks prior. I also did the GULF COAST last spring and like this course better but will continue to do both. OVERALL a great race and well done by the PRA. Love the finishers medal and shirt. Did not partake in the after party because I had to get home for a lunch date. As long as the RACE at DISNEY and this one does not conflict I will keep coming back.......

Re: 2011 Pensacola Beach Run Reviews

guest — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 21:55:00 GMT

This was my second 10k. I enjoyed the race overall. The weather the was great and there was great encouragement from both spectators and runners. I will agree that the 10k turn-around could have been more clear. I think I went a little bit further then I was supposed to before I turned around and that this added maybe 30 seconds to my time. However, I still shaved 28 seconds off of my previous 10k time. Special thanks to the woman who finished right next to me and kept me on pace in the last mile by encouraging me on!

Re: 2011 Pensacola Beach Run Reviews

guest — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 11:25:14 GMT

My first half-marathon. The race was about me finishing, not bands, beer, PA systems or cheats. To that end I am completely satisfied. I think the organizers ran a smooth event and the volunteers were very friendly and supportive. To those commenting people were turning around early - maybe my memory is going but I recall crossing electronic chip readers at the 10k and halfway points on the half-marathon. So not sure how you could cheat on those. Did not stay for afterparty I was looking forward to a carb buffet. Thank you PRA - I'll see you next year!

PS- watch RunKeeper.com someone is plugging in all your races. grin

PPS- the links for the 2 runs after the Bay to Breakfast on your website are not letting me register / get more info. ?

Re: 2011 Pensacola Beach Run Reviews

guest — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 00:06:22 GMT

I ran the 10k and overall it was a pretty good race. The weather was really nice, about 50* and sunny. The course was flat and well marked. There were water stations at good intervals and plenty of volunteers. I really like the tshirt and it's definitely something I'll wear. The only problem I had with this race was that they only awarded finishers medals for the half marathon. All racers paid the same amount, regardless of distance, and I've always gotten medals for 10k's! So that was a big disappointment crossing the finish line and only being handed a bottle of water. I didn't stay for the after party, but the race was alright.

Re: 2011 Pensacola Beach Run Reviews

guest — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 19:14:32 GMT

There MUST be a person at the 10K turn around point next year! There was not even a cone there... just a sign sitting on the side of the rode saying turn around point. I did my U turn there and then saw everyone else turning around WAY before that turn around point. People were even turning around at the 3 mile sign!! NO FAIR! I did the half marathon last year and saw the same thing happening at that turn around point. Why do people in Pensacola cheat like that?

The beer flowed nicely at the awards party afterwards... exhausted runners had to be really careful crossing the street to get to the party. The awards ceremony was WAY too long. Start the 5 K and walking awards when those races are over. and consider having it all in the same parking lot as the race start/finish. More people would attend.

Re: 2011 Pensacola Beach Run Reviews

guest — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 15:33:40 GMT

The race day was awesome. Could not ask for better weather. Next year I will do the Half Marathon. I did the 5K walk. The after party I'm sure was fun, but I had to go to work at 10 a.m. Next year I'll take off . Want the P'Beach medal !

Re: 2011 Pensacola Beach Run Reviews

guest — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 03:06:57 GMT

(IRT rsmith9999's comment - this is not the same course as the Gulf Coast Half Marathon. Gulf Coast Half is certified and the course map can be found at http://www.usatf.org/events/courses/maps/showMap.asp?courseID=FL10050EBM. The Pensacola Beach Run courses, while fairly accurate, are not USATF certified.)

Re: 2011 Pensacola Beach Run Reviews

guest — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 02:25:01 GMT

This was a great run to kick of the 2011 running year. Fast track out and back.

Cheerleaders and National Anthem at the start was a nice addition. PA announcements were very hard to hear more than 25 yards from the announcer.

Aid stations were well manned and very supportive. Timing mats well placed and course workers at nearly every corner. Very well done.

I've ran this course last spring in the inaugural Gulf Coast 1/2 Marathon and this layout worked a bit better than last springs.

T-shirt was very nice, a bit subdued but one that I'll wear more often than most. Award ceremony was great but a bit long due to the number of events incorporated in this run.

No shortage of beer but food was scarce (free food that is) There were plenty of orange slices, bananas (some still slighty frozen) and water at the finish. But nothing more sustantial.

Overall, a very good event and one that I'd highly recommend for the fast course and excellent race support.

Re: 2011 Pensacola Beach Run Reviews

guest — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 21:18:34 GMT

IRT D.D.'s Garmin v. course distance comment: I measure many of the run courses around this area for USATF certification. It's tough to get multi-distance races (unless you go straight out/back) to begin and end at the exact same location. Some courses are going to end up longer than desired in order to make all courses the advertised distance at the least. Garmin GPS units have a single point margin of error of up to 20 meters, so you can stand still, start your GPS and be considered anywhere within 68 feet of where you "really" are. Most Garmin units take a reading every two seconds (the older ones can be set for one second), so movement and turns can only confound the measurement.

IRT "volunteers cheering on": Does that include the young lady sitting curled up in the folding chair at 10th and Maldonado? She looked more worn out than I did, and I had run 12+ miles by that point.

Overall...a good event. Good show, guys.