"You are your best thing." – Toni Morrison
Check out what's happening at RaceRaves:
Tested & Trusted Race Day Tips
Ask 99 runners, and you're likely to get 100 different suggestions for race day success. And while much of the race day ritual comes down to personal preference, this month we outline 11 key tips to avoid common pitfalls and to maximize enjoyment while minimizing angst — all so you can run your best race. Bring it on, race day! (12 min read)
 
FEELING TIPSY
Toasts & Ghosts at the Hallowine Run
There are wine country runs, and then there's Hallowine! Formerly known as the Healdsburg Wine Country Half and one of our personal favorites, the Hallowine Run Half & 10K on Saturday, October 26, treats runners to an idyllic race experience with a gorgeous course through Dry Creek Valley in iconic Sonoma County, CA.

And the boo-tiful scenery is just the beginning, because beyond the finish line at the Warm Springs Recreation Area awaits a spook-tacular Wine and Music Festival showcasing some amazing local wineries, plus a costume contest with prizes!

No matter how you like your boos, the Hallowine Run is a sure-fire way to lift your spirits. So rally a ghoul-friend or two and use code RUNDRYCREEK19 for $10 off (and save even more by registering before the price increases on September 1).

The Hallowine Run is brought to you by A Good Run LLC, producers of the popular IPA 10K & Beer Mile Invitational.
 
RUN SONOMA WINE COUNTRY
Tips 'n' Tricks: Review a Race!
Did you know?
Race reviews celebrate your racing adventures, help your fellow runners make smart decisions, and tell appreciative race directors how to make their events even better. And RaceRaves features reviews from all 50 US states (+ DC) as well as 75+ countries.

Want to post a review, but not sure how to start? Ask yourself: What would I want to know about this race? What made it special? Would I recommend it to other runners? It's that easy. Good, bad or indifferent, your opinion matters and EVERY REVIEW COUNTS.

Pro Tips:
  • Feel free to cover more than the race itself in your review — insider tips on how to plan, where to stay, what to see, and where to eat are always appreciated!
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TELL IT LIKE IT IS
Coach Bette: We Are Runners
This month Coach Bette showcases her inner bard as she explores what it means to be a runner, waxing poetic on the internal & external motivation behind the miles. (3 min read)
 
SUBLIME RHYMES FOR SUMMERTIME
So you think you know your races?
Which August race boasts a marathon turnaround / half marathon finish at 14,115 feet of elevation, with a vertical gain of 7,815 feet in the first 13.1 miles?
Thank you to everyone who completed our recent survey! We're taking your thoughtful feedback to heart as we work to improve the RaceRaves experience. After all, it's your contributions that make the site a thriving community and an increasingly valuable resource for runners and race directors alike.

Until next month, run strong and rave all about it!

See you at the finish,
Team RaceRaves
P.S. Calling all 13.1 fans! Following up on the success of our "Runners Choice: Best Marathons in the US" initiative, next month we'll launch a nationwide poll to identify and recognize the best half marathon in every state. Got a favorite half you'd like to see among the candidates? Drop us a line at info@raceraves.com (subject line: "Best halfs") and tell us why it merits inclusion. More details coming soon!
He who laughs last... 😂

Hats off to the team at the Jarmans International Marathon for this creatively candid description of their recent event:

Welcome to the JIM!

The Jarmans Invitational Marathon will take place in Crozet, Virginia. Pretty much everything about this race sucks.

Course: The course sucks. The race starts at the intersection of Jarmans Gap Rd and Greenwood Rd in Crozet, Virginia. From there, runners will run up Jarmans – 2.9 miles and 1,522 ft of elevation gain, then turn around and come right back down 2.9 miles and 1,522 ft. Runners will repeat this lap five times for a total of 7,610ft elevation gain and loss over 29.0 miles. Jarmans is a steep gravel road, with some areas shaded and some areas in full sun. There are minimal scenic views. The summit of Jarmans is simply a muddy parking spot and an ‘End State Maintenance’ sign. You will run by a junkyard and several pit bulls. There are a lot of littered Bud Light cans lining the course. The train crosses Jarmans and may or may not be running during the race. The course is gonna suck.

Weather: The weather is going to suck. The race starts at 12:01pm, maximizing heat and sun exposure. There may be afternoon thunderstorms. If there is not, the road will likely be dry and dusty.

Aid Stations: The aid stations are going to suck. There will be warm water provided. There will probably be some food. Bob Clouston will be taunting you at the top aid station, while David Horton may be harassing you at the bottom.

Parking: Parking sucks. There is no parking at the start. We will plan on shuttling people from the Greenwood Community Center, approximately 1 mile away. Please note, you cannot park at Chiles Peach Orchard as they do not have adequate space for us!

Prizes: Some prizes will actually be cool, while most of the prizes will suck. There will be prizes for first place male and female, a prime prize for the first runner to reach the top on the first loop, and other random prizes.

Fame and Infamy: For those runners completing the Jarmans Invitational Marathon, you will live the rest of your days in fame and infamy. You will have shown mental and physical fortitude far beyond what is required for any other 29 mile hilly fun run. You will also have chronic patellar tendonitis for a few months. This is great training for Grindstone and Masochist. This is also a great event if your neighbor’s kids frequently laugh at you because of your lack of accomplishments in life. But first, this race will suck.

Entry: The JIM is free but you must register – we have a runner limit of 65 runners. If you are looking for an official, sanctioned event, this is not for you. Though this race will be sanctioned by the USATF – US Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms bureau due to the high use of these products along the course.

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