November 2, 2007 - The Heart Center of the Rockies 5k/10k/1/2 Marathon was a USATF certified
race that took place in Loveland at Boyd State Lake Park. Entry fee was $35 for early entry and $40
for late entry. The cost was $5 less if you ran in the 5k/10k.

The race packet included a fantastic Asics Long Sleeved tech shirt. In 2007, the race gave out an
orange tech shirt which was a bold move, but I dig orange.

The 5k had it's own separate route, the 10k was one loop in the park, and the 1/2 marathon was
essentially two loops with a mile added on in the middle.

The 2007 race was interesting because the lead bike took a wrong turn and the top six finishers only
ran 12.7 miles. In 2006 some cones were not removed after the start and ALL participants ran 13.3
miles, so there have been a few management issues with this race.

My particular gripe was that while running in 7th place at the 10k mark of the ½ Marathon and after
coming back around towards the park shelter, I saw a volunteer running frantically towards me and
pointing me in the direction I needed to run. At this point I'm thinking this person was not there a
minute ago and now I am also wondering where the other racer went who was about a minute in front
of me. I didn't find out until after the race that all the runners ahead of me also made a wrong turn.

After the wrong turn, I was now running by myself and there were cones everywhere; cones for the
5k, 10k, and 1/2 Marathon. I ran a loop, came back onto the trail, and then had four people ahead of
me. This was the point I realized I had made a wrong turn. I looked at my Garmin and realized I ran
.25 miles off course.

This was where things got even more interesting. I came back on the road and was now following four
other runners. I saw two other racers run off the trail up ahead. They also ran off course and then
came back on course (or maybe we were still off course, who knows). I'm not sure if they took a short
cut, or they extended their run, but it was insane.

I found the course to be extremely confusing. From the 6-8 mile range the course needed to be
improved and well marked.

Second complaint was that the race started in a parking lot where runners made a loop in the parking
lot before heading out on the course. The start of the race had all 633 runners making a U turn within
the first 100 meters. I've never seen a course designed in such an illogical manner.

Third gripe. I'm not sure what performance drink was being handed out but it tasted horrible. I opted
not to take any more after I tried it the first time.

Let's look at the participant break down:
5k = 17%
10k = 32%
1/2 = 51%

Do you ever wonder how Chipotle, with such a limited menu, does extremely well? They focus on a
core menu and do it to perfection. This was what the Heartland Center of the Rockies needed to do
for this race to succeed. Scrap the 5k, at the bare minimum, and possibly the10k as well. At least
until the 1/2 Marathon can be managed to perfection, then start adding back the 5K and 10K. Most of
the participants ran the 1/2 marathon and were charged a higher entry fee, thus being the target
market.

I was a spectator at the race in 2006 and sat at the finish. The 10k runners were confused. They
didn't know if they should keep going with the 1/2-marathon runners or if they were done. I saw at
least 3-5 racers run past the finish and then turn around. At one point, I stood 100 meters before the
finish and told the 10k runners (you could tell by their bib) to hit the finish chute because no one else
was directing them.

It would be easy for the race organizers to say, "we told the racers at the start about the course and
finish, etc...". One thing I know is that the brain functions at an extremely low level during a race
which is why the course has to be well marked with volunteers shouting directions, etc.

The Heart Center of the Rockies organizers should think about having the 1/2 marathon racers run
out of the park and into Loveland so the runners do not have to do two consecutive loops. This may
also eliminate some of the confusion.

The race had a great turn out. There would need to be some improvements made before I think
about running this race again.