Alamo City Run Fest

*Expo was small and disappointing.
*The course was not scenic, in fact it was boring, and had very few fans, post race party was the same.
*The event was not very well photographed and there seemed no way to view your photographs prior to purchasing them.
*Irregularity in timing– I placed 2^nd in my age category on race day received a medal and discovered later I had been bumped to 3^rd by a bib # with the name of «unknown???» Numerous e-​mails to ask about this have not been answered.
*website and facebook page is not monitored or updated. Numerous messages have gone unanswered.
As this was the inaugural year, I can overlook the first 3 points, the last two have bothered me enough that I will not be returning or recommending this event in the future.

Texans, they know how to race. I’m used to Michigan races, where the majority of participants are as familiar with runners’ etiquette as Carnie Wilson is with salad. But Southern manners reign supreme here. Everyone quieted for the singing of the national anthem (the first time I’ve actually *heard* the anthem at a race). People ran on the right, passed on the left, often calling out a warning before doing so. Everyone self-​assembled into appropriate pace groups at the starting line without having to be shouted at — and not a single walker or slow runner lined up in the front half of the pack, unlike in Michigan, where you’ll be dodging these idiots through at least the first mile and a half.
San Antonio’s runners are fantastic — middle aged women bumpin’ Lil’ Wayne on their iPods, sinewy men wearing every known shade of neon, and the sweet-​as-​a-​peach-​pie gal who ran alongside me as we helped keep each other going. These people are why I enjoyed the Alamo City Run Fest so much.
Race management had a near-​flawless performance — especially for a first-​time event. Staggered starts for the four distances (half marathon, 10k, 5k, kids) limited congestion in the starting area, on the course, and at the finish party. They stocked enough consumables — port-​a-​johns, water, mile markers, finish line food — to fill Noah’s Ark. They pulled off a memorable finish line party — calling everyone’s name, projecting real-​time finish line video on the big screens, and handing out pretty darn cool medals. And although the out-​and-​back course was rather boring, it was a peaceful route through some interesting neighborhoods in practically perfect weather.
The Alamo City Run Fest has made my visit to San Antonio immeasurably better. I don’t, anymore, see this city as a slightly cleaner Detroit with mission-​style architecture. San Antonio is alive, and has a happy heart! …and that’s NOT just the runner’s high talking.