So... I've been waiting to do my recap of this race because I thought there was a costume contest, and I really went for it. Turns out, there wasn't an actual contest, which I only found out this week. :( *sad trombone* But in any case, I'm finally posting this race recap of the Worst Day of the Year Run!
The Third Annual Worst Day of the Year Run
Date and time: Saturday, January 31, 2015 @ 10:00 am
Events and price: 5k $35.00
Chip timing is an additional $3.00
Long sleeve shirt is an additional $18.00
VIP is an extra $25
Location: McMenamins Edgefield - Blackberry Hall; 2126 S.W. Halsey St.; Troutdale, OR 97060
Number of runners: capped at 1500
Beneficiary: Portland Police Bureau Sunshine Division
Swag: There's so much swag!
Events and price: 5k $35.00
Chip timing is an additional $3.00
Long sleeve shirt is an additional $18.00
VIP is an extra $25
Location: McMenamins Edgefield - Blackberry Hall; 2126 S.W. Halsey St.; Troutdale, OR 97060
Number of runners: capped at 1500
Beneficiary: Portland Police Bureau Sunshine Division
Swag: There's so much swag!
- FREE custom Columbia Sportswear winter beanie or ear warmer (your choice of style & color)
- Hot coffee
- Homemade soups and fresh baked bread from McMenamins
- 1 free beer for wearing a costume
- FREE Kleen Kanteen metal tumbler for REI members
- VIP registration included the long sleeved shirt, indoor seating, unlimited snacks (fruit, veggies, cheese, crackers), and express beer/food lines, closer parking, etc.
The week before I was pondering my costume collection and was trying to decide if I had anything decent to wear, when it all started to come together the night before the race. I decided to go for the best weather themed costume. The mascot of the Worst Day Run is a penguin... and what would be cuter than a penguin on vacation?! I had snowflake "sunglasses", my bikini, a grass skirt, and Hawaiian flowers. And I even made a quick stop at the store the morning of the race to pick up a cocktail glass prop, and some arm floaties--which I wore the entire time during the race! :)
We arrived plenty early because we weren't sure what the parking situation would be like, and we still needed to pick up our packets--after all, there would be 1500 runners at Edgefield at one time! Fortunately, we got there early enough and had VIP passes, so we had spots super close to Blackberry Hall, the Start/Finish of the race. The VIP packet pickup line was super quick, but the volunteers seemed to be doing a good job of keeping the regular line moving as well. Each runner got their pick of a Columbia Sportswear beanie, or ear warmers, which were all really nice quality and embroidered with the "Worst Day of the Year Run" logo! There were heat lamps under a big tent for runners to huddle together, which was good since it was so cold! There was an indoor area as well, and a separate indoor VIP area with snacks, so we hung out in there until the race started.
The race started just about on time, and runners were released in waves. However, it should be noted that even though there's an option for chip timing, and even with the waves, it's definitely more of a fun run than a PR race. There's runners and walkers of every speed, and the course is a narrow gravel trail, and it's hilly. It's a really FUN race though, and it was great seeing all of the costumes while I was running! A lot of people were friendly, and laughed at my penguin costume. It was a BEAUTIFUL morning for a run, with clear blue skies. Although it was definitely chilly, it was hardly the worst day of the year :)
We arrived plenty early because we weren't sure what the parking situation would be like, and we still needed to pick up our packets--after all, there would be 1500 runners at Edgefield at one time! Fortunately, we got there early enough and had VIP passes, so we had spots super close to Blackberry Hall, the Start/Finish of the race. The VIP packet pickup line was super quick, but the volunteers seemed to be doing a good job of keeping the regular line moving as well. Each runner got their pick of a Columbia Sportswear beanie, or ear warmers, which were all really nice quality and embroidered with the "Worst Day of the Year Run" logo! There were heat lamps under a big tent for runners to huddle together, which was good since it was so cold! There was an indoor area as well, and a separate indoor VIP area with snacks, so we hung out in there until the race started.
The race started just about on time, and runners were released in waves. However, it should be noted that even though there's an option for chip timing, and even with the waves, it's definitely more of a fun run than a PR race. There's runners and walkers of every speed, and the course is a narrow gravel trail, and it's hilly. It's a really FUN race though, and it was great seeing all of the costumes while I was running! A lot of people were friendly, and laughed at my penguin costume. It was a BEAUTIFUL morning for a run, with clear blue skies. Although it was definitely chilly, it was hardly the worst day of the year :)
I was still glad to be done with the running though, and happy to move on to the after party! While waiting for my friends, I snagged a beer ticket from someone handing them out to costumed runners, and grabbed my jacket out of bag check. We headed straight inside, where it was WARM, and got our beers in the VIP area. The lines for soup were incredibly long, but there were only a few people in the VIP line for food. Both types of soup smelled fantastic. I had the mushroom barley soup and it totally hit the spot post-run. After we hung out for awhile, we decided to explore McMenamins, but not before stopping at the photo booth area!
So the reason I thought there was a costume contest is because the race website literally has the phrase COSTUME CONTEST on it: "COSTUME CONTEST: Come in costume and you’ll receive a free beverage–a delicious frosty or steaming drink. We will recognize the funniest, best weather-theme, best group and most elaborate, so don’t be shy!" Unfortunately, it was a misunderstanding. People in costumes got a free beer ticket, there wasn't any contest between costumed participants for a prize (*sad trombone*...again).
After the race, we wandered around Edgefield getting all of our McMenamins Passport stamps. I thought this was a fantastic fun event for a casual timed run, with lots of great sponsors, at wonderful hosting venue :)
So the reason I thought there was a costume contest is because the race website literally has the phrase COSTUME CONTEST on it: "COSTUME CONTEST: Come in costume and you’ll receive a free beverage–a delicious frosty or steaming drink. We will recognize the funniest, best weather-theme, best group and most elaborate, so don’t be shy!" Unfortunately, it was a misunderstanding. People in costumes got a free beer ticket, there wasn't any contest between costumed participants for a prize (*sad trombone*...again).
After the race, we wandered around Edgefield getting all of our McMenamins Passport stamps. I thought this was a fantastic fun event for a casual timed run, with lots of great sponsors, at wonderful hosting venue :)