Notes
Rain broke just long enough for the race. Course was slightly wet.
Started the race fast at nearly 6:00 min pace, then slowed down after quarter mile and still hit first mile split at 7:04. Felt fatigued in my legs, but thought I could keep up the pace. First mile was fast with some up and down. Second mile was mostly downhill, including a downhill turn that I couldn't take very fast due to being wet and some small uphills that slowed me down. Third mile was mostly a long uphill that slowed me down even further--I think was actually working harder this mile than the first. At the top of the hill, I had to slow down and get around some other runners who were recovering from the hill and weaving around a bit. Sprinted the final segment to get sub-23:00, but couldn't sprint all the way in due to small finish line and other runners in the way, which caused me to slow down. Chute was kind of small and I had to make sure I got my own time since there was no chip timing.
The race had a good setup despite everything but the packet pickup being outside. Port-a-potties with wash stations were pretty clean. PA announcements of sponsors got annoying and so did the announcer's attitude. Race start was excellent--group lined up back from the start line, and then we were asked to move up when expected finish times were announced. I had very few runners in front of me for the start and was very close to start line. Finish line was too close to last turn making it hard to pass people. Chute was fairly short and having to fill out a card when finishing was not cool considering the cost of the race and the lack of charity focus.