I ran today. I wasn’t even aware there was a 3:00 pace group. Some take away from today’s run: too many turns and turn arounds; horrible crowd support due to a course that largely leaves the runners isolated from the community for much of the race.
I don’t know for certain but my guess is by the cvs/high school (around mile 23) there could be some confusion as a sign was blown over by the wind. But I really don’t know because I thought the volunteer crew was adequate.
For the number of turns (70 turns according to the website) there were not enough signs. It should’ve been and back. At one point near FLETC Charleston we ran like 50 feet down a narrow road only to turn around and go back on the main road. That mileage could’ve been made up in other ways - too many turns stress the body!
My PR heading into today was 3:02.59. I badly wanted to break 3.... and I did!
2:55.1. I thought the strong wind might damper my plans but I found a fellow runner with a similar game-plan and stuck with him!
As soon as I finished I was almost immediately attacked by angry runners who made the wrong turn. They called me “lucky”...
I mean yeah but most of us were “lucky” in that case... as only a handful messed up the course. Just stings a little more to hear it was the few on pace to break 3.
Congrats to all who finished! Sorry for those who made a wrong turn. Stay focused, you’ll get another stab at it this Spring.