I tip my hat to the runners who showed up for the 2008 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon and 1/2 Marathon…read more Not only are they good runners, but evidently they are good drivers as well. When 30,000 people converge on a four block radius and all you get is a 4 car pileup near the freeway exit... then I call that a success! I know they say to get there early, but I think my plan of getting there late really worked. I got to ride the shuttle with only 2 other passengers, and I walked right into the porta potty, since all of the corrals had already pushed toward the starting line. Of course, there is a downside to arriving late. The only bananas that were left were quite green, and the peel was resisting my efforts, and winning. It was a little chilly, but I had the foresight to bring an oversized garbage bag (unused) to wear. From what I could tell, I was the only member of 'Team Hefty'. 13.1 miles of rubber hitting asphalt goodness. To the douchebag who hawked more than one huge loogie on the course... dude, while I'm impressed at your expectorant's effectiveness, next time, move a few feet to the edge and spew off the course. The best part about this marathon was the amount of support. I counted about 13 high school cheer or spirit teams whooping it up for us. Is it just me, or are high school girls more alluring than they were, say 20 or so years ago? Makes me wish I was back in high school. No, not as the creepy janitor guy who just happens to show up in the ladies room with a mop & bucket after you close the stall door, but as the questionably straight cheer mascot. Around mile 8, a fetching young lady approached me to say that she had been using me to keep pace with. That was quite a motivator, and I pushed myself even harder, until I remembered the scene in True Grit where John Wayne pushes his horse too hard, and it crashes to the ground in a glorious cloud of dust. I finished and passed a food table as I made my way to the exit. I grabbed two Dole Fruit & Yogurt cups. It wasnt until I opened it, that I realized that its gelatinous form would be hard to eat without a spoon... so I went for the toothpaste method. I'm sure it was all over my face. I got a cool colored medal. Cant wait to wear it to work tomorrow, shouting out: "Jeffey say - Go For Gold!" For those who don't know, this is the event that Yelp-mate Ivonne B was training me for. Some might call me a hero, for finishing 13.1, but I'm no hero. No, that title is reserved for my friend Phil and his wife Lissa... or Yelp's own Jenn X, who ran the full 26.2. They are the true heros of the marathon world. I'm just a squirrel trying to bust a nut. In the days preceeding the event, a handful of people said that this was going to be the greatest memorable occassion ever. Maybe I just dont get it, or maybe I'm just bitter. But as Homer would say... [sickly sweet] Oh, look at me! I feel so special being a part of this transcendental event! I'm the Magical Man from Happy-Land, in a gumdrop house on Lollipop Lane! [leaves the room, slamming the door] [pokes his head back in] Oh, by the way, I was being sarcastic. [closes the door]

I returned for my second year to RNR AZ. This year, I opted to do the remix challenge with the 5K…read moreon Saturday and the half on Sunday. The expo was large again, and in the Phoenix convention center, right off the light rail. I opted to stay in Tempe because the 5K and Half Marathon start and finish lines were all there and my only trip to Phoenix would be for the expo. The 5K starts adjacent to Tempe Beach park and ends in Tempe Beach park. We walked there, but there was ample parking for those who drove. The course is quick and scenic and has the same finish as the half marathon, giving us a preview of the next day. Even with the short distance, participants get a tech tee, medal, one water stop and one band on course and refreshments and a finish concert. The half course was fairly similar to last year (a few tweaks due to construction, I think?) The half and 10K start together on the ASU campus (while the full marathon starts in Phoenix). Plenty of parking for those who drive, but beware of road closures. We caught an uber over and it was difficult to get there. PF Changs is no longer a sponsor as of 2016, so no horses at the start, or dragon running on the course :( The course wanders through Tempe into Scottsdale, and ending at Tempe Beach park. I had a bit of a rough race (recovering from an injury), but still had a positive experience. Bands on a pretty regular basis, well staffed hydration stops. The one frustrating thing is that on some sections of the course, we had the inner lanes of the road with traffic on the outermost lane on both sides. I understand this averts full road closures, but the problem is if you need to pull over and stretch, you need to watch for traffic. Huge finish area at Tempe Beach Park. The medals from 2015-2018 will connect to make a super medal, so I guess I'm in for the whole shebang now!

Fun and well run 5K course that starts and ends at Mill Ave Bridge in Tempe, AZ. I've run this…read moreevent twice now (2020, 2022), and have had a lot of fun! I like that you're able to run on the bridge! The 5K starts at 8 am on Saturday of Rock N Roll weekend so be absolutely sure to pick your packet on Friday! Add the 5K to your Sunday 10K, half or full marathon to complete the Remix Challenge and get an additional medal!!

3rd annual 5K at RNR AZ. I was going to be a spectator but so glad I became a runner. Now I will…read morehave a chance to get two more medals tomorrow for a completing a race plus running both days! Just about six months ago when I crossed the finish line at the San Francisco marathon, my mini me said she wanted to run 5K after being inspired by my trainings and result. So we trained together for the past six months. She couldn't even run a half mile in the beginning. For someone like her to cross the finish line at 37 mins strong, I must say that was pretty impressive! Our weekly training paid off. So glad I was able to experience her joy with her. It helped her with self confidence. Bib pick up: available on Friday from noon or on the race from 6:30am only for 5K and kids run. Expo is fun, lots of different vendors to visit. Picking up bibs for both events was easy, well organized. Parking on the race day: available for free at 700 west rio salado. Seemed like a plenty of then, it was easy, perhaps It was easy due to Saturday event being smaller. I will find out tomorrow how bad it might be. Race is well organized, and fun, fun, fun. One aid station about mid way. One live band and two DJs. Family friendly events, my mini me was at the corral 3 and had no problems with crowds. My boy and I were at corral 1, got to talk with fellow runners before the race. One runner from LA, who he said hoping to get #1 on full tomorrow shared his story how he inspired and trained his family members. After race event: adult gets one free beer. Be sure to carry your ID with you while running. Since I had two minors, I was hoping I can use their beer tickets to get me more but they marked on my bib and was allowed only one. Concert was fun too. Not as crowded as Sunday, easy to hangout and enjoy. All in all, it was such a family bonding event for me. We trained together and run together. 6 mins or 16 mins per mile, a mile is a mile. That's what I kept saying to her. We all achieved our own goal time, we became stronger together. Looking forward to more running and fun time tomorrow!

Exhilarated. Didn't research anything before embarking on my first half tough mudder. Holy hell,…read moreI'm kind of glad I didn't. It was fun being surprised at each obstacle and I can't believe I did it! The electro shock obstacle was like getting tased. And somehow the Photog captured the exact moment I went down which was hilarious. Also, very grateful for the photogs and the free pix! Do be timid. Smile for the cameras and feel exhilaration for completing such a fun packed challenge. Tips - bring extra padding, mud is not soft (full of rocks)

A challenging running-obstacle-bonding ritual…read more Still a fan of the TM after doing the March 2015 race. MUCH easier than 2013, when it was done in February, when it was 50-degrees and windy, and people were stacked up in the medical tents with hypothermia symptoms. Coolest thing about the race is the camaraderie. Our department did it together with some significant others, friends, and relatives. We make sure everyone finishes, that we raise money for a good cause, and we get some remarkable memories for the on-course pain. Also get to meet some cool people on the course. The course has been toned down on the suffering side, making it more doable-- only one shock obstacle at the end; more obstacles requiring the upper body strength to drag and pull oneself, and pretty easy running. Oh, and lots of mud and dust. I'm still getting it out of my nose, lungs, and ears. Yup. My EARS. Worth putting on your life's bucket list and knocking off with friends...

The second annual Tri For The Cure AZ took place April 20, 2008. Over 900 women and children came…read moreout to participate and there were spectators galore! There was a great energy at the event and it was fun more than competitive so i totally recommend it to beginners or people who want to get a taste of what doing a longer distance triathlon is really like. It's also more appealing for first time triathletes because the swim takes place in a pool - much easier than open water! The distance is short for triathlons, even shorter than the normal sprint distance. It consisted of a 400 meter swim, an 8 mile bike, and a 2 mile run. There were options for people to do relay and duathlon as well. Originally, my friends and I thought we'd be starting at 7am and done by 8:30, but there was a delay in the start, and the way that it was set up, they started each person separately, so we we spent the entire morning there. Since the transition area closed at 6am, it made for a long day... but it all worked out! The event ran smoothly once it began and the pool was great! The bike course was a square and pretty flat, so it was easy enough to do the two laps... and the run was a one-mile loop so it went by pretty fast as well. They had adequate water stops on the run and the park we ran through was beautiful. Even the expo (which took place at Gainey Village) was fun... and it's obviously all for a great cause - I lost both of my grandmothers to breast cancer so it's one that hits close to home... I pray we'll find a cure soon. Now, the question is, what's our next race? :)

I'll add to this review. I don't know how to change the title from tri for the cure 2008 to just…read moretri for the cure with no year attached. This can be a test to see if anyone actually reads my reviews, haha, and can offer suggestions on how to contact yelp to change the event title. Everything Gabi M. reviewed regarding this event is right on the money. Great sprint triathlon for beginners (and veterans). I did this tri as a relay both in 2009 and 2011 and both times my teammates and I had a great time. Both times I brought my hubby and son and they had fun too. My teammates and I plan on doing this again next year so it'll be my third year doing this race. And I'm considering doing some that are longer distances too!

Review #400, folks. For reasons unknown I decided to wake at the crack of dawn to run 6 miles!…read more Sleep in on a Sunday morning? Pshaw! (FYI, I've NEVER run before in life. I guess I'm just hardcore.) Renowned among local runners as one of the premier races in Phoenix, the New Times 10K drew quite the crowd as a rush of humanity (10,000 runners) traipsed the Tempe Town Lake bridge on a crisp 68 degree morning to invade the major streets of Tempe in a race to the finish. Local bands along the way provide for some chill, cool entertainment. The all-Asian rocker boy band was pretty damn good. Some stuff I learned that morning about the New Times 10K. * It's the 13th largest 10K race in the U.S. * It's the oldest running race in Arizona. * The race used to be in Central Phoenix, until two years ago. * The uphill incline on Curry Road seriously sucks ass. * Hayden Square at 4th St. hosts a lively pre-race and post-race festival with vendors and bands. * Beer tastes so much better (and you feel less desperate) in the morning if you've just run 6.2 miles. * Beer tastes even better when it's free. * Hometown Buffet (or any buffet for that matter) also tastes better when you've just run 6.2 miles. * Hometown Buffet doesn't taste better when it's free. * When you're running with 10,000 other runners and want to be found by your friends, wear something bright or noticeable. (See my profile pic.)

After bumbling my way through my first year of triathlon, I decided that maybe, just maybe, I could…read moredo a half Ironman. I met with Coach Bettina and shyly explained what I wanted to do and understanding maybe I couldn't do it. Bettina not only assured me I could, but it would be great! She was right! With her training and guidance and her never-ending encouragement and positive energy, I completed my first Half Ironman and Racelab is guiding me to my first Ironman this year. Coach Bettina has designed a training schedule that meets the needs of my busy life with a full-time job and another sport in which I compete. All the other athletes accepted me right away and made me feel comfortable and included. From training at ASU track, to racing in Rocky Point, Mexico, we always have fun while getting faster, stronger and better. This team and coaches all care about each other and Racelab really is my second family.

I have always been fit, but I have never consider myself athletic enough to race, then at the age…read moreof 36 I started running. I ran on my own just copying online stuff and finished my first full marathon good but physical burned out. Then I found Racelab, I called Bettina and despite my off schedule working every weekends during that time, she wrote specific plans for me to complete my fastest full, the Chicago Marathon. Since then, no turning back I have completed 12 marathons, 3 ultras and I'm training to be a triathlete. Let me tell you, training with a group like Racelab is amazing. There are days in your training that you feel high and lows physically and emotionally but with the coaches and members so supportive of each other, the mood changes to being motivated. I always look forward for our group activities whether it is swim, bike or run. I love my Racelab family, they keep me HAPPY!

I was a first time volunteer for the race crew at the annual P F Chang's Rock and Roll Marathon on…read morerace day. I was at the finish line handing out cold accelerant to many thankful participants. Before the runners arrived several of us unloaded many cases of peach mango accelerant into trash cans with copious amounts of ice. As the runners arrived it was easy to keep up plus the weather was still a little chilly but as the masses arrived it was a challenge to keep up plus the weather had warmed. This meant keeping the accelerant cold difficult but most didn't seem to mind except for a few who wanted the one on the bottom. Fortunately I had some surgical gloves from the medics so it was easy to oblige plus they had earned it. I stayed most of the day and enjoyed crowd watching. Other than parking being a pain in the morning and the roads clogged on leaving I will most likely volunteer again next year.

Standing off to the side around mile 18, watching the stream of runners moving past me, my hands…read morenumb and red from clapping and feeling an occasional emotional tear running down my face. Some runners look at me and express their appreciation for my applause by a nod. Others move along, eyes staring straight ahead, almost in a zombie state. A painful look of determination on their faces. At this moment you could call me an elite spectator. I was in the run, but I wasn't. Age 70, having run since I was 45, mostly 10K's and some endurance runs, I could feel their pain and was remembering my own bygone antiquated thoughts, counting the remaining miles, sharing the exhilaration and always wanting to sing to the beat of the shoes slapping on the pavement, Bill Murphy's marching song in the movie "Stripes," "Do Waw Diddy, Diddy, Dum, Dum." Today, running is hard for me, but I still try. I dream of completing a marathon but cannot project my dream beyond the difficult two mile run that I periodically struggle through. Enjoy the moment, you youngsters. Time goes fast and your degenerating body will soon be competing with your will. Should I go running today? I hope you don't let it win.

Organised by 131Events…read more + Family friendly + Free parking + FroYo included with your choice of topings + Organised + Registration Fee is reasonable 25.00 per person + Free photos + Can opt out of the cute Tee - Bottlenecks/congested some parts of the course - No photographer on the course - Long lines at the Porta Pottie/Porta Johns Overall, we had a jolly time especially we got our steps in this early in the morning! ^_^