Biggest Loser Run/Walk 1/2 marathon

[RangerPooh]

Has anyone participated in this event? I'm considering signing up for the Seattle event in October as practice for the Tinkerbell half in January. Also, if you sign up for the "walk", can you jog it? I'm a jogger/walker rather than a fast paced runner. Thanks!

 

[dlbwright]

I did the one in Plattsburgh NY in early June, it was my first 1/2. Had a great time. It was fun seeing some of the old contestants. I signed up for the run and did intervals of 1:30/:30. There was no one on the course 'watching' whether you were running or jogging or walking. Actually everyone on the course was doing everything. I saw very fast runners to very slow walkers. It was exciting to see such a variety of people on the course. I passed one woman twice on the course and cheered her on both times. Found out later was in her late 70s, due to a story they did on her. It really was a fun time!

 

[jillbur]

I'm signed up for the Erie half in August. I emailed them & they said that if you plan to run & walk, to sign up as a runner. I am planning to only walk this one because I didn't have time to train for running it (I signed up about 6 weeks before the event).

 

[Diskidatheart]

I am signed up for the Erie Half Marathon as well. I would suggest that if you sign up as a walker, that you walk. They do have prizes/medals for the top 3 in both the 5k and 1/2 marathon for each age category. It may just be me, but I don't think it would be right to sign up for the 5k as a walker, then run it and accept a medal for finishing in the top 3 of your age group if you did by chance finish in the top 3 because you ran it, although I'm sure there will be many that do it.

 

[jillbur]

I am signed up for the Erie Half Marathon as well. I would suggest that if you sign up as a walker, that you walk. They do have prizes/medals for the top 3 in both the 5k and 1/2 marathon for each age category. It may just be me, but I don't think it would be right to sign up for the 5k as a walker, then run it and accept a medal for finishing in the top 3 of your age group if you did by chance finish in the top 3 because you ran it, although I'm sure there will be many that do it.

This is exactly how my sister & I think. If you are a walker, then you walk the whole thing. We are going to be walkers. I emailed them because looking at results of past BL halfs, we saw some incredibly fast walking times. One male finished in under 2 hours! There had to be running in there...like the whole entire time! I usually follow Jeff Galloway & run/walk. I sign up as a runner if I plan to do that.

Diskid~hope you have a fun time! My sister and I are walking and BIL is running the half. Are you doing the Erie half in Sept? I'm still deciding...

 

[Diskidatheart]

This is exactly how my sister & I think. If you are a walker, then you walk the whole thing. We are going to be walkers. I emailed them because looking at results of past BL halfs, we saw some incredibly fast walking times. One male finished in under 2 hours! There had to be running in there...like the whole entire time! I usually follow Jeff Galloway & run/walk. I sign up as a runner if I plan to do that.

Diskid~hope you have a fun time! My sister and I are walking and BIL is running the half. Are you doing the Erie half in Sept? I'm still deciding...

My last half of the year will be the BL. I'm doing The Great Race at the end of September, but my Dopey Challenge training starts in the beginning of September. Hope you have fun too. I'm just praying that the weather is nice that day. My last couple of long training runs have finished with a 2 mile sprint to the car because of a downpour.

 

[DrMomof3]

This is exactly how my sister & I think. If you are a walker, then you walk the whole thing. We are going to be walkers. I emailed them because looking at results of past BL halfs, we saw some incredibly fast walking times. One male finished in under 2 hours! There had to be running in there...like the whole entire time! I usually follow Jeff Galloway & run/walk. I sign up as a runner if I plan to do that.

Diskid~hope you have a fun time! My sister and I are walking and BIL is running the half. Are you doing the Erie half in Sept? I'm still deciding...

Don't be so sure! There's a DISer here who is a race walker and routinely finishes half marathons in the low 2 hour range. He's in his 60's and a total inspiration!!!

Amanda

 

[jillbur]

My last half of the year will be the BL. I'm doing The Great Race at the end of September, but my Dopey Challenge training starts in the beginning of September. Hope you have fun too. I'm just praying that the weather is nice that day. My last couple of long training runs have finished with a 2 mile sprint to the car because of a downpour.

Oh yes, we were there also! In fact, 2 weeks ago we stopped a mile short lol. It was just ridiculously raining. I hope the weather is good, too. Like this week~low temps & no humidity!

Dopey? Fun!!

Don't be so sure! There's a DISer here who is a race walker and routinely finishes half marathons in the low 2 hour range. He's in his 60's and a total inspiration!!!

Amanda

Oh my! Well then, I apologize! That is impressive! I figured there would be race walkers, but, holy smokes that's incredible!

 

[johde]

Don't be so sure! There's a DISer here who is a race walker and routinely finishes half marathons in the low 2 hour range. He's in his 60's and a total inspiration!!!

Amanda

I was going to say the same thing, Olympic races walkers finish 20km (12.4mi) in 1:18-1:25. So, 2:00 is possible for an accomplished race walker.

 

[Hockeychic]

I just did the 15K in Chicago this weekend and can't say I was very impressed.

If there was a expo I didn't see it you had to go to one place to sign your waiver another to get your bib and another to get your shirt.

Corrals where not set up at all they attempted to call runners to the front with less then 5 mins till the race started which wasn't possible since there was already a ton of people jammed up front.

There was zero course support, I think there was 1 band but being slower they where not playing when I got there. So not sure if they where just some people playing in the park or part of the race.

I loved the bling and the shirt and that I was there with friends that I don't get to see very often but other then that I can't say I would sign up for another one.

Just my opinion of course

 

[Diskidatheart]

Hockeychic, Did they have many water stations along the course? I'm just trying to decide if I should take my own hydration belt or rely on the amount of hydration stations along the route when I run the Erie half.

Glad to hear the bling and shirts are nice. Bummer about the rest of the race being just so-so. Glad you still had fun despite the downsides.

 

[Hockeychic]

Yes they did have water stations I think there was 5 of them in the 15K however 2 of them where extremely close together, and 1 was almost out of water by the time I got there but they definately have them.

 

[jillbur]

Yes they did have water stations I think there was 5 of them in the 15K however 2 of them where extremely close together, and 1 was almost out of water by the time I got there but they definately have them.

Thanks for the info! My sister and I were wondering how organized this will be (Erie half) seeing as though we are 10 days away & they just posted info on parking today. We kind of feel like not too much information is found on their website. We are walking so this was a good race choice for us. Hope it's fun!

 

[Diskidatheart]

Thanks for the info! My sister and I were wondering how organized this will be (Erie half) seeing as though we are 10 days away & they just posted info on parking today. We kind of feel like not too much information is found on their website. We are walking so this was a good race choice for us. Hope it's fun!

I sent them an e-mail yesterday asking some questions about how many water stations and if they provide gu/gels for the half marathon. They just said that an e-mail will be sent out next week with all this information. I may bring my own water supply, just in case.

 

[jillbur]

I sent them an e-mail yesterday asking some questions about how many water stations and if they provide gu/gels for the half marathon. They just said that an e-mail will be sent out next week with all this information. I may bring my own water supply, just in case.

Cool thanks! I am a true planner & not knowing what's going on us killing me lol!!

 

[freepixie]

Okay I haven't been on the Dis in a while, and I'm just seeing these posts!!

Those of you doing BL Erie, have you ever done a race in Erie before? I'm local and most of the races are not done well. I'm hoping that with BL coming in that the ERC ups their game.

Parking is a MAJOR concern, beaches 10 and 11 don't have nearly enough parking. Most local races begin and end at beach 1 so you can park at the amusement park up the street and walk to the start. I'm planning to leave my house extremely early on race morning! Also, leaving will have major bottleneck with traffic, that far into the park is one lane traffic!

Water shouldn't be a concern, they are usually good about that, and I know of several groups getting the kids out for service hours if they have powerade it will probably not be mixed well, they haven't even said if there will be powerade! I highly doubt there will be any GU's, they don't even offer those at the full marathon in the fall!

That being said, I hope it is a good race! I've been looking forward to this since they announced it last december

Let me know if you have any other questions

 

[jillbur]

Okay I haven't been on the Dis in a while, and I'm just seeing these posts!!

Those of you doing BL Erie, have you ever done a race in Erie before? I'm local and most of the races are not done well. I'm hoping that with BL coming in that the ERC ups their game.

Parking is a MAJOR concern, beaches 10 and 11 don't have nearly enough parking. Most local races begin and end at beach 1 so you can park at the amusement park up the street and walk to the start. I'm planning to leave my house extremely early on race morning! Also, leaving will have major bottleneck with traffic, that far into the park is one lane traffic!

Water shouldn't be a concern, they are usually good about that, and I know of several groups getting the kids out for service hours if they have powerade it will probably not be mixed well, they haven't even said if there will be powerade! I highly doubt there will be any GU's, they don't even offer those at the full marathon in the fall!

That being said, I hope it is a good race! I've been looking forward to this since they announced it last december

Let me know if you have any other questions

I've never done a race at Presque Isle. I'm pretty much preparing to leave our hotel ridiculously early because of parking. I'm actually prepared for a debacle
Looking at the results from past races, it seem to be that 1000 or less people do the BL races. I'm hoping the lower numbers help with the parking situation.

I'm riding with my sister & BIL to the race. DH told me he wasn't waking DSs up to get there at 6 am & I don't blame him! I told him that hopefully he'll find me around 10:30 or 11:00. I may have to finish the race & just go swimming until he gets to me! Luckily we live about 1.5 hours south & aren't in a big rush to get home. I have to be home by 6:00 to get the dog from the kennel, so I hope traffic isn't that bad lol!!

 

[freepixie]

Okay good, I'm glad you are prepared I just was thinking I have to let people know, it could be a mess!! I still can't wait, my first local bling lol! They dont give bling at any local race unless you place in your age group!!

 

[jillbur]

I just wanted to add that I am feeling much better after reading the email for the Erie race. It answered all my questions about parking and water stations. I'm a bit surprised that it said water at every mile, but I guess it's better than not enough water! We are headed up early tomorrow to take our kids to Presque Isle for a boat ride and movie at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center before checking into the hotel. I'll be heading to the expo around 5:30-6. I hope everyone has a great race & a great time overall. The weather looks perfect

OP~I will report back to how the half was sometime this weekend and hopefully can answer any other questions that people may have about the Biggest Loser races.

 

[Diskidatheart]

Good luck to you Jillbur and freepixie! I'll be heading up to the expo around 3pm today when it opens. We have friends that have a lake house on Candadohta Lake so that is about an hour away. We'll drive up tomorrow and try to get there around 6am. I'd rather be early and have plenty of time to warm up and get loose than run to the start line all stressed out like I did at last year's WDW half marathon.

It looks like the weather is going to be really good. I was worried about signing up for a half marathon in August because you just don't know how hot it will be...but I think we all got lucky.

I too was pretty happy after reading the e-mail from them. It did answer a lot of questions. I'm getting pretty excited...should be a fun day!