McGuire's Prediction 5K

This morning I ran 3.1 miles with more than 16,000 green-clad friends.

"I'm the one in green!" shouted a woman behind me
as a news crew took panoramic photos of the race.

Billed as the nation's largest "prediction run," the McGuire's 36th Annual Prediction Run 5k did not disappoint. Race officials announced that 16,150 people registered for the McGuire's 5k. This beat 15,000 registrants and more than 10,000 finishers in at the race in 2012.

OUTSTANDING EVENT ORGANIZATION

After 3 years of running this race (first in 2011 and again in 2012) I have little new to report, other than noting that I'm always amazed at how smoothly the McGuire's folks manage to herd 16,000 runners through a bizarrely quick-and-painless bib pickup, a well coordinated (if a bit crowded) 3.1 mile run, and a raucous after-party.

With 16,000 participants converging on a tiny parking lot behind a restaurant, you'd think bib pickup would be a nightmare, but McGuire's pre-race organization is virtually the antithesis of a big-name event.

Think of the last Rock 'n' Roll expo you attended or read about. Compare that with a yoga class. That's about how different the two scenes are. Now, I mean no disrespect to the mega events that groups like Competitor and NYRR coordinate. There is an important place for those events in the running world. But with a similar numbers of competitors, it's hard not to make comparisons.

McGuire's has no frills, but is incredibly efficient. You arrive at packet pickup. You get your bib and t-shirt. You can get a wrist-band if you want to enjoy after-party adult beverages. You go home. The entire process takes less time than ordering a latte at Starbucks.

If you like the atmosphere of a race expo (and many runners do), you'll be disappointed by how little swag there is. If you run for the bling, this is definitely not your race. But if you prefer an event that is pared down to the basics: bib + t-shirt + run + party, you'll love this run.

COSTUMES!!!

Also... if stunt runners make your day, this race is definitely for you.

This year a man dressed as a "runaway bride" was my favorite costume-clad runner. The race also brought out 2 cows, 2 moose, a couple of bananas, and Bob Ross "Joy of Painting" his way through the 5k.

Runaway bride at the McGuire's 5k

Last year's Irish Mariachi band of runners was pretty cool, too.

Click here for more photos from the 36th annual McGuire's Prediction Run 5k.

Race report: McGuire's (St. Pat's) Prediction 5k

The start:
Can you say crowded (but in a good way)?

That sea of people behind me stretches on... and on... and on...

The organizers aren't kidding when they bill this event as the "nation's largest prediction run." According to pre-race announcements, this year's McGuire's Prediction Run 5k welcomed a whopping 15,000 runners! (The local newspaper reports that 13,500 actually toed the line, but either way - it's a huge 5k.)

To give you a sense of how very many people show up, I heard officials and volunteers saying that the last runner crossed the starting line about 15 minutes after the cannon, and the race winner came in about 2 minutes later...

The race kicks off with a bagpipe band, the national anthem, words of wisdom from the mayor of Pensacola, and a traditional Irish blessing.

Oh, and the starting gun is a cannon.

The race start at McGuire's is like no other starting line I've ever experienced. The 5k's uniqueness draws runners from all 50 states and from nations around the world. (One runner I talked with had traveled from Switzerland.) And unlike other events, where many runners are nervous - anxiously checking watches, and re-typing shoes - this race feels more like a moving block party. Runners compare costumes and talk about how many times they've run here before.

The bad:
Crowded.
At 15,000 runners for a 5k, there is no way the course could not be crowded. But in this event, the crowd is part of the fun (as you'll see in photos below).

A wave of runners takes off from the starting line at the 2012 McGuire's 5k.

If you enter the McGuire's Prediction 5k thinking you're going to be fast, you had better arrive early and line up at the very front. And I mean the very front. Even 15 feet back is too far back for a "fast" 5k. You'll be dodging walkers for most of the 3.1 miles.

As we learned last year, this event is intended to be a fun run, not a racers-race.

St. Pat's mariachi runners. How did they keep those hats on while running?

Also, while pre-race packet pickup is surprisingly easy and un-crowded, information about when/where/how to pick up bibs and t-shirts was non-existent this year. Hubby called the race organizer to find out packet pickup location and times, since there was zero information available on the event website.

And last, but certainly not least, parking is a bear. Hubby and I hoofed it over from a location about a mile away (a pre-planned choice). We walked past other people who were trying to park in the limited space available, and that re-affirmed our decision. If you have to drive, arrive early and plan to walk.

The good:
The course is flat and beautiful. But to be honest, you are more likely to see a sea of green-clad runners than you are to notice any scenery.

If you're willing to just relax and enjoy the ride, running in a sea of people can be a really amazing experience. The course makes a couple of turns that allow front-of-pack runners to see the back-of-pack runners (and vice-versa) and it is incredible to watch thousands of people all moving in the same direction.

The race also brings out some crazy costumes. While it's no Bay to Breakers, the crowd-watching is thoroughly entertaining.

Photo op with the Grinch.

In addition to the 5k itself, there are two features that make this a truly distinctive event.

First, the "prediction run" bit: When you register, you report a predicted finish time. To compete, you must leave your watch at home. Awards are given to the fastest overall men, women, and teams, and to the runners who finish closest to their predicted finish time.

Post-race party.

Second, the after-party is epic. McGuire's restaurant provides coffee, donuts, and other goodies before the race. They also provide a feast (fruit, stew, rolls, water, sports drink, rootbeer floats, beer, and their house-special "Irish Wake" rum punch) for all 15,000 participants while a band serenades runners with Irish folk songs.

The Irish Wake rum punch is delicious. And strong.
Don't underestimate it.

My race:
Results aren't posted yet, but I am certain that I blew my chance at an accurate prediction. Based on last year's crowd, I predicted 28-something.

This year I broke away from the pack earlier than expected and think I ran closer to 25 minutes. ***update *** results are in: 25:48. Not my fastest 5k ever, but I'm happy with it, given the conditions. I was in the top 200 of more than 5,000 female runners.

Either way, at least I made it to the start on time!

Race Report: McGuire's St. Patrick's Day 5k (and party)

This weekend was supposed to be a 14-mile long run in preparation for an upcoming 13.1.

However, the buzz about the McGuire's Prediction Run 5k convinced me to re-arrange my schedule.

After all, how could I miss the nation's largest "prediction run" right in my own backyard? And to sweeten the deal, the 5k is followed by a huge party with all of the traditional post-race fare, plus free beer, rootbeer floats, a smorgasbord of food, and a live band playing Irish drinking songs...

It's like some creative genius took all of my favorite things in life and rolled them into a single morning. Where do I sign up?

So at 6am I woke up, knocked back a cup of coffee, and put in my long-run miles for the day. After round one of the day's running, I stopped at home to change into a bright green shirt, grab my green beads (holdovers from last week's Mardi Gras), and hit the road again. I arrived at the starting line too late to have any of the pre-race breakfast, but that suits me just fine. Experience has taught me that any breakfast before a race winds up... well... staying at the race.

The starting line was the only low point in the 5k festivities. More than 11,000 (yes ELEVEN THOUSAND) runners converged onto a section of roadway less than one city-block long, and spilled over into parking lots, onto the lawns of local businesses... it was chaos! Fortunately almost everyone was in good spirits.

Almost everyone...

Just as the cannon went off to signal the start of the "race" (and I use that term loosely here), a gentleman (term also used loosely) started thwacking my shoulder and trying to push me aside. It reminded me of a triathlon swim start - with all the flying elbows - and I stood my ground, telling him first (in my best Southern California huff) "Um, dude. Like we're not all trying to get through, too?" When he persisted in pushing, I turned to him and laughed "Look, if you think you're going to run fast today, you came to the wrooooong place." At which point, the other green-clad runners nearby laughed and joined in, telling this over-eager newbie to cool his jets.

Because, seriously, who is going to break away from a pack this thick?


And the pack stayed thick for all 3.1 miles.

Because it was a prediction run, there were no watches allowed and no clock over the Finish line. I have no idea how I did.

Or maybe I should rephrase.

I am certain I didn't run my fastest 5k ever.

As I heard one runner say to another in the finish chute "you don't PR in a race like this!"

But I am equally certain that I had a helluva a lot of fun.

Sometimes it's good to take a step back from track workouts and long runs, and just run because it's fun.