Mud and Chocolate Half-Marathon & 4.5 Mile Run 2010
Sunday, November 7th 2010 at 9:30 AM 21760 Novelty Hill Rd Redmond, WA- Distances:
- Half Marathon and 5 Mile
- Weather:
- Local Weather
- Website:
- http://mudandchocolate.com/
Checking weather...
Race Reports
-
Nice Approachable Trail Race
Overall: Great small race.
Facts: Race is limited to 250 participants (2010 that was 94 Half runners and 156 4.5 milers). Participants seem to be predominately female (say 2/3 women 1/3 men). The ages ranged from older teens to retirees, from the really fast to the those taking at their own pace. Race is manually timed (no chip timing). Every finisher gets a finisher's medallion.
Note: like all trail running, this course is not smooth or paved and conditions warrant prudent and careful foot plants as one runs the course. There are plenty of opportunities to get injured... but there are plenty of opportunities to see a lovely wilderness area.
Summary:
The mud and Chocolate lived up to both with a plentiful supply of mud and chocolate (what with a 1/2 inch of rain in the last 24 plus another 1/2 the night before). The chocolate theme was carried through with a plentiful supply and a good variety of chocolates, including the finisher's medallion be a huge foil wrapped chocolate disk.The race is held in the Redmond Watershed Preserve area off of Novelty Hill road approximately 1/2 way between Duvall and Redmond.
The course is 4.5 miles run on generally well groomed trails in an older second growth forest. However, well groomed is a relative thing given the rain and leaf litter from the trees. Mud hazards were quite abundant as well as slick rocks and tree roots invading the trail. So, this is real trail running with its pleasures and hazards. However, if you're looking for an introduction to trail racing and trail running this event is an excellent intro. Its got ascents and descents through the hilly terrain in combination with nice long lateral trails as you traverse from climb to climb or descent to descent.
The staff was friendly and registration was well organized.
by Bo A. -
Beautiful Run!
This course is a beautiful trail in the Redmond Watershed preserve. Be forewarned, though, this is a trail run, with slick spots and tripping hazards. Saw a few folks go down, especially early in the race where traffic is heavy. Though the race is limited in participants, you do spend the first mile or so jockeying for a running spot. Not a big deal at all, but don't go into this thinking about a PR....go to enjoy the trails.
One huge kudo: the trail is well-marked. Through lots of turns, it was very clear where to go. I had one confusion where the 4.5 mile and the half marathon split off, but otherwise, I had no stresses about where to go.
Race t-shirts were not included in the registration, so if you want a shirt, the overall price of the race gets high, but the t-shirts are cute, and they had women's sizes, which races often don't.
I would recommend this run highly to anyone who enjoys being outdoors and enjoys viewing scenery on a run.
by Leanna A.
Bo... I will see you there!!! I will be the pink & chocolate fashionable runner. My husband too and a few other friends. Looking forward to seeing you. =)
over 1 year ago