2024 Best Damn Race Half Marathon Race Experience
I had hopes of running a big spring race to celebrate my 40th birthday, but volleyball mom life has shifted all my plans and asked me to be flexible with my running goals. Now I run around tournament days and try to fit my long runs in wherever I have to most time to run. It’s been a challenge, but I am doing my best to accept this season of life.
Things lined up this past weekend while at a tournament in Orlando: my daughter had a PM start on Saturday and there was a half marathon happening Saturday morning. I would be able to get my weekly long run in while being on a supported course. Win-win! Read on for my experience with Orlando’s Best Damn Race Half Marathon.
Note: there are links in this post that I am sharing in support of the businesses I personally interacted with; I do not receive any commission or perks from those businesses.
Accommodations
As I shared earlier, we were in Orlando for a volleyball tournament, so we stayed in a hotel that was close to the convention center. The hotel (Universal’s Cabana Bay) was a 15-20 min drive away from the race area.
Expo
I sign up for this race the week of the race when the start waves for the tournament were finalized. I picked up my bib and gear race morning and used gear check to hold my race items while I ran. Race morning staging all happens in Lake Eola Park.
Pre-Race
This race had a 7:35am start (and it started on time). I left the hotel around 6:10am expecting a 20-min drive. I initially planned to park at a lot recommended by the race organizers, but because I knew I had to get my bib, I parked at a lot that was further from the race area with no line. This added 5 more minutes of walking time, but was well-worth it as I arrived to the start area around 6:45am. There was a long line for bib pick up but it moved quickly. There was a long line for the bathrooms, but once the 10K runners set off at 7:05am the lines for the bathroom emptied out.
Post-Race
Your finish line is also your start line. The race area was a true party with pizza and different types of alcoholic beverages (beer, cocktails, and bloody marys) available for finishers. I was impressed by all the options!
On the Course
I didn’t look at the course until the Friday before the race, so I didn’t realize this course featured two loops. The course had aid stations every 2 miles or so with water, Gatorade, and bathrooms. I didn’t catch if there was fuel provided, but I’m sure there was at some point. I thought I would be mentally thrown off by running past the finish line as I started my second loop, but I wasn’t as it gave me the motivation to try to move a little faster.
One thing I appreciated about this course was how the course ran along different neighborhoods in the downtown Orlando-area. After reading Alison Mariella Désir’s book, “Running While Black” I am paying more attention to how a race’s course highlights the different neightborhoods and people that make up a city’s population. This course ran through the more resourced neighborhoods around Lake Eola Park and the less resourced neighborhoods of the Orlando Housing Authority. Both of these spaces are running spaces and having runners and a race run through both sends out the message that running can be for everyone.
Race Experience
I had a family emergency Friday and the 4-hour drive to Orlando Friday night, so I was weary going into this race. I even told my husband that I was worried grief would be my companion for 13.1 miles like it had been my companion during the Marine Corps Marathon. Thankfully grief held out (I did have a big cry in the car before the race though), but I knew I was going into this race with heaviness in my heart and would have to adjust to reflect all the stress I was under. As I’ve been saying a lot lately: stress is stress and the body doesn’t differentiate between physical stress and emotional stress; it just knows that its stressed.
I had been open to a workout during this race, but after Friday’s events, my goals were (1) not have a heart breakdown on the course, and (2) squeak in a 2:30 finish. Both goals were accomplished, which surprised me as I spent much of the course running by myself. I appreciated the looped aspect of the course, but wished that I had someone to run with as there were moments where I felt like I was running solo. I think this is a great race/course for PRs and for running with a running bestie.
I finished this race feeling incredibly proud of myself and like I PR’d in getting through a race without tears.
Overall Impression
Even with the 7:35am start, I really enjoyed the Best Damn Race and am so happy that I could fit it in my schedule. I’m used to running solo, so that was a manageable element for me during this race. I also surprised myself by enjoying the two loops of this course. The finisher’s party was one of the best ones I’ve seen and it felt like all runners were truly celebrated at this event. If it weren’t for the volleyball tournament, I would have loved to stick around to see people finish their races and hang out with all the finishers.
Pros
Race morning packet pick-up.
The swag bag was great and full of snacks that got me through the tournament weekend.
Local race with a community feel.
Flat, looped course.
Start and finish are in the same place.
Plenty of course support.
Pacers for half marathon.
Course takes you through different Orlando neighborhoods.
Beautiful medal with a ferris wheel charm inside (which I’ve lost, ugh). 04.08.24 update - Best Damn Race sent me a replacement charm; thank you!
I really liked the race shirt.
Small field size (660 for the half) for achieving race goals.
In addition to the half marathon, this event features a 10K and 5K race
Post-race drinks and snacks.
Free race photos.
Cons
Weather: we can’t control this, but big chunks of the course don’t have any tree coverage. Luckily for me, it was a cloudy/overcast day.
Depending on size preference, smaller field.
Depending on course preferences, looped course.
While there are plenty of parking garages in the area, you do have to pay for parking.
This was half #64 for me! After this race I think I’m going to try to get to 70 half marathons this year! Also, I think I’m going to switch up my approach when marathon training starts by going back to a run-walk method.
