<b><span style="font-size: large;">Big races are...big.</span></b><br /><br />That's the simplest way to put it. The bigger the race the bigger of a to-do it becomes. More sponsors, more vendors, more rules, more stuff, more <i>everything</i>. Whatever happened to just <i>"let's go run a half-marathon"</i>? I have yet to run a "big" race that keeps it simple. Fun. That makes it about the race and experience and nothing more.<br /><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-18CmTYL4O0E/Vj37U0HBw4I/AAAAAAAAh-A/b1zo46aUklw/s1600/IMG_20151106_084452222.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-18CmTYL4O0E/Vj37U0HBw4I/AAAAAAAAh-A/b1zo46aUklw/s320/IMG_20151106_084452222.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b>Until now.</b></u><br /><a name='more'></a><u><b><br /></b></u></div><i>(Disclosure: My wife is a Racewire office employee/timer. I time races for Racewire as an independent contractor. I was not compensated in any way for this review. All opinions are, as always, my own.)</i><br /><i><br /></i>South Shore Half-Marathon was <b>almost magical</b> in its simplicity and purity of purpose.<br /><br /><b>Rating:</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Pre-Race: 8.5<br />Race Day: 9<br />The Course: 9<br />Support/Swag: 9<br />Post-Race: 9.5<br /><br />Overall: 45/50</b><br /><br /><b>I didn't know a race could be so simple, </b>and I mean that in the best possible way.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>So...What's Different About South Shore Half?</b></span><br /><br />In my humble opinion - there are two things that affect how your race is going to go - Planning/Execution...and the money. These two things go hand in hand.<br /><br /><b>Planning/Execution -&nbsp;</b><br />The experience and tone of a race all starts with its planning and execution. Those aspects are handled by the Race Director and whatever board/organization oversees and operates the race. Typically, a race will be owned/operated or otherwise "put on" by a running club, civic or charity organization, race management company, etc. <br /><br /><b>The Money-</b><br />More often than not&nbsp;the purpose of a race will be to raise funds for a charity or, less often, to turn as much of a profit as possible. It can cost a lot to put on a race. Permits, manpower, timing services, insurance, shirts/swag, etc...it all costs money...money that was meant to either be profit or for charity.<br /><br />To off-set these costs, sponsors are signed on. These sponsors put cash into a race in exchange for perhaps putting their logo everywhere, putting a flyer in your swag bag, or even setting up a tent pre/post race to sample their product or sign you up for a mailing list.<br /><br />Poor planning/execution can result in a terrible, or at least less than stellar, race experience. Too many sponsors, the wrong sponsors...hell even just sponsors in general...can lead to a cluttered and obnoxious race experience. <b>Not South Shore Half. </b>Why?<br /><br /><b>Racewire.</b><br /><b><br /></b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Huh?</b></span><br /><br />Racewire is a race timing company, and they own/operate South Shore Half-Marathon.<br /><br /><b>Seriously.</b>&nbsp;It was just pure. running. fun.<br /><br /><br /><br />