1,400 runners, 20 expo booths, a wheelchair division and the most organized race logistics I have ever witnessed. No, I’m not talking about a half marathon. Or even a weekend 10K. This was a Thursday evening, 5-mile race in South Boston.



Unfortunately, unusually bad traffic (even for Boston) kept me and visiting Tri Girl, Keli, from actually racing. After a ridiculous 2.5-hour drive from Billerica, Keli arrived just as the first finishers were crossing the line. Knowing that you don’t need a starting gun and an official time to make a run worthwhile, we headed backwards on the course and spent the next hour enjoying the ocean views and catching up on each other’s lives.

Here is what struck me about the event:

The Expo – Food and drink samples, shoe companies, charities, training companies and more. All there for just a 5-miler. On a weekday evening. Awesome.



The Volunteers – Like a yellow-tank-top-wearing army, members of South Boston’s L Street Running Club were everywhere you turned, ready to direct you, answer your questions and ensure a great race experience. They clearly took a great deal of pride in this event.

The Organization – Inadequate signage often makes it difficult to find and navigate registration. Not at this race. A huge “REGISTRATION” banner beckoned you into the Boston College High School gym where hoards of volunteers ushered you through the packet pick-up process.

My only recommendation is to station a few volunteers at the JFK/UMASS T station. I got off the train and joined a slowly growing mass of perplexed runner-types until someone who had previously done this race took charge and led us down the street.

The Course – This year’s brand new course featured South Boston’s scenic waterfront. I have no idea what the old course offered, but can’t imagine that it was more refreshing than this beachside run.

For $20 ($25 on race day), you really can’t go wrong with the Jim Kane Sugar Bowl 5-Miler.