Comparison of Half Marathons

As I run each race this year, I’ve noticed what a totally different experience each race provides. So, for the benefit of those living in New England that plan to do a Half in the future, I have begun a comparison of all the races I’ve done this year. This page is displayed correctly when using Firefox 5.0, and badly rendered when using IE 7.

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Race Name	Cost	Registration	Organization	Difficulty	Amenities	Spectator Friendliness
Boston’s Run to Remember	$45
Covered Bridges Half Marathon	$45
NYC Half	$85
CHaD Half	$45

Explanation of criteria

Cost	The registration fee, without early registration incentives.
Ease of Registration	A measure of both how easy it is to gain a spot in the race, as well as the registration process.
Race Production	How well the race is run, including the amount of information provided pre-race, how easy it is to get your bib and chip (if any), how many hydration stations there are, how often splits are displayed during the race, how clear the race route is, ease of transportation between start & finish, baggage handling, how well the runners are processed post-race.
Difficulty	The likelihood you are to earn a Personal Record (considering temperature, humidity and hilliness). More stars means it’s easier.
Race Amenities	The freebies that are nice-to-have but unnecessary to running a good race (medals, post-race food, distribution of carbohydrate gels and fluids during the race, entertainers, goody bags, etc.)
Star Power	Number of international running pros with whom you are likely to share the course.
Spectator Friendliness	Are there places for your family and friends to watch? Are there incentives (e.g. post race entertainment and food) for them to attend?

Details on Each Race

Boston’s Run To Remember (Next: May 25, 2008)
Cost	Average ($45)
Ease of Registration	No apparent size limits, walk up registration until day before.
Race Production	Great web site, splits every mile, plenty of toilets, course easily followed, chip timing, but not enough water on the race course on a hot day.
Difficulty	Flat 90% of the way with one overpass, one very gradual incline and one bridge. Low score because it was hot in 2007.
Race Amenities	Medals to finishers, t-shirts, food, beer, post-race band, goody bags, vitamin water, ok pre-race Expo….but no carb-gels given during race.
Star Power	Mostly regional runners.
Spectator Friendliness	Lots of places for spectators to watch from, families allowed in post race celebration, kid’s Fun Run, lots of touring opportunities in Boston.

New York City Half Marathon
Cost	High ($85, $15 just to register for the lottery)
Ease of Registration	Limited to 8,000 in 2007
Race Production	Very, very well organized. Runners corralled according to expected time, plenty of water stops, splits every mile, clear race route, lots of entertainment during race, displayed on Times Square jumbotron, BUT no transportation between finish and start.
Difficulty	Moderately Easy – 7 miles of rolling hills then flat. 7AM start makes it relatively cool, lots of shade (trees, buildings).
Race Amenities	Medals to finishers, customizable race t-shirts, food, smoothies, post-race bands, goody bags.
Star Power	Stellar international cast of runners.
Spectator Friendliness	Lots of places for spectators to watch from including special “Cheering Zones”, families allowed in post race celebration, lots of touring opportunities in NYC.

Covered Bridges Half Marathon (Next: June 1, 2008)
Cost	Average ($40)
Ease of Registration	Size limits, sells out in a matter of days (registration opens 12/10/07)
Race Production	Good web site, adequate number of toilets, course easily followed, chip timing, adequate number of water stops, but splits are offered every couple of miles.
Difficulty	Moderately easy. Warm and humid, rolling hills, one steep hill at mile 8 or 9.
Race Amenities	Race t-shirts are very basic, basic food….and no carb-gels given during race, no goody bags, no post-race entertainment.
Star Power	Mostly regional runners.
Spectator Friendliness	Adequate number of places for families to watch from, families allowed in post race celebration.

CHaD Half Marathon
Cost	Average ($45)
Ease of Registration	Easy, 1,000 runner limit not reached in 2007. Race day registration possible.
Race Production	Good web site, adequate number of toilets at the beginning, course easily followed, chip timing, adequate number of water stops, splits every mile or two, BUT no toilets during or at end of race. Course winds a bit, but volunteers directed runners.
Difficulty	Very, very hot and humid. Lots of rolling hills first 8 miles, but net drop over the course of race.
Race Amenities	Nice t-shirts, better than average food (bbq, corn, beer, watermelon), some basic post race entertainment….BUT no carb-gels given during race, no goody bags. Spectators sprayed water.
Star Power	Mostly regional runners.
Spectator Friendliness	Few number of places for families to watch from, families allowed in post race celebration, but had to buy vouchers (which were difficult to buy on race day).