It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.
I have already run 41 half marathons. Many I have loved and would love to run again and then again, there were those that I wished I hadn’t.
I already posted about reasons to choose a race so my topic today is: Reasons Not to Choose A Half Marathon
1.A Poorly Marked or Inaccurate Course
No one likes a course that is short and long and even worse, one that you get lost on.
glad I was not running the full…many went the wrong way and ran a shortened course
2.A Boring or Ugly Course
Running in traffic or running loops and worse, just a route with nothing scenic to look at.
started & ended at a brewery…run in parking lots and along a busy highway
3.The Swag
An ugly medal or NO medal… or a uni-sex shirt (that doesn’t fit) or even a COTTON shirt.
half medal the size of a quarter and a cotton race shirt
4.The Logistics.
Poorly marked location, unorganized start/finish, not enough parking or not enough portapotties…
all of the above for this RNR race..
5.Food/Drink
Not enough water stops or water stops that run out of water. Unappetizing Post-race refreshments or lack of.
another dud of a RNR race
Other Reasons:
- Cost – Too expensive
racing in Vegas is fun but not cheap!!
- Deferral policies – none or too expensive
- Crowd Support – none or very little
- Size – too big or too small
25k of my new friends
- Knowing No One – not fun to run a race all alone
running solo in Fla.
Happy Running! Any other reasons to offer on why you would avoid picking a race? Which of the above, have you chosen? Please share.
My First 5K and More... 
This is a great topic! I’m not bothered by the medal/shirt, or not knowing any one, but the others are big factors. Especially the course and logistics.
LikeLike
Agree. I hate a poorly organized race…the others i can put up with.
LikeLike
I don’t care about the post race food and drinks. I did also get lost on a bike course of a tri race that was not marked well. Like you, I like races that have easy policies including being able to pick up friends’ bibs.
LikeLike
I forgot that one…flexible bib pick ups including day of race.
LikeLike
Boring or terrible routes are my number one reason; disorganization is second to that. I loved this post!
LikeLike
Luckily I’ve enjoyed most of my races…of course there were just a few disappointing ones.
Hope you start racing again soon…love your posts.
LikeLike
I’m ok with little swag or crowd support — although of course both are always nice.
Weather can play a big part for me, I’ve run so many really, really hot races that would have been so much ore enjoyable even if they had just been 10 degrees cooler (or lower humidity).
LikeLike
However, you cannot pick or NOT a half based on the weather because you can never tell until the day of lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, but it can still really ruin the race for you. Sometimes.
LikeLike
Sure can and has many of mine. Rainy. Too Hot. Too Cold.
Pain is worse (IMO).
Bad weather is just not comfortable. You adjust your time goals (if you have any.)
But my topic was reasons not to REGISTER for a race.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve run more than my share of races alone, so that isn’t a deal breaker for me. But chinzy swag–unisex shirts, a crummy finisher medal–that is enough to keep me from coming back. Poor organization? I also won’t be back. Great topic!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. No excuse for lack of organization
LikeLike
A lot of these are deal-breakers, and will keep me from returning in future years. I go to a lot of races with Barb and/or the hubby, but I’m all right going alone as well. That RnR Vegas pic always cracks me up…I look like a giant LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
No. We’re just short lol
LikeLike
Wow! 41 halfs is alot! I think the destination is a big factor when choosing a race. Either having fun at a destination race when you know you’ll splurge and experience a new place or picking one close to home because it’s reasonably priced and you can sleep in your own bed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agree totally.
LikeLike
I’ve run many races alone! I’ll stay away from local races that don’t offer any swag or any other festival or anything associated with it. I’ll also take the race course into consideration. Thanks for linking up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too. I do run alone if I want to do the race.
LikeLike