If you missed my ridiculous amount of social media posts this past weekend, I had the opportunity to run the Wine Glass Half Marathon in Corning, New York. This race had been on my bucket list for years and is always rated as one of the top half marathons race destinations in the US. How do I rate it? How was my experience? Read on for all the details.
Wine Glass Half Marathon Race Recap
The Wine Glass Half is typically held the first weekend of October in the small town of Corning, New York. There is also a full marathon on the same day and a 5K the previous day. This race is considered to be a “personal best” course due to its last and fast course with a slight net downhill. Apparently, this is where many runners achieve their PR’s and Boston qualify. Will it work its magic for me too?
Packet Pick Up
Packet pick up is held at The Corning Museum of Glass. It was a small, albeit very organized expo. I picked up a few extras that I most assuredly did not need. Race Swag was pretty good. All runners received a half zip mid-weight jacket, an engraved stemless wine glass, and a small bottle of champagne. Masks were required at all indoor spaces.
Lodging & Logistics
There are a few nearby hotels to the race start and finish line. It is much easier to stay in one of these hotels as you must take a shuttle bus to the start line of both the half and the full marathon. We stayed in the host hotel, The Radisson, and I would suggest this venue as the most convenient to the shuttles and the finish line. Approximately 1650 runners were registered to do the half in person.
Race Day Shuttles
There is no driving or drop off at either of the race starts. You must take a shuttle bus to the start. While at first, this seemed annoying, it was organized like a well-oiled machine. We walked out of our hotel, found the school bus shuttle, and were quickly boarded. It was about a 15-minute drive to the start. We were permitted to wait indoors at a high school or outside. Ample porta potties were available. Again, masks were required on the bus and in the school.
Start Line
It was 53 degrees at the start will rain expected during the race. I wore a tank with thin arm warmers, capri pants and that was perfect. There were no corrals but, instead pacers with signs. We were free to line up where we felt appropriate. We settled in near the 2:10 pacer. Just as the race started, a light misty rain started.
My Race
I was not sure what race day would bring. I have felt pretty good this past year and have trained very consistently and smart for me. I have worked on some weaknesses and felt like I was in a good place to have a good race. In all honesty, I never thought I could run anywhere near my half PR time from 8 years ago of 2:15:56 (Las Vegas Rock N Roll Half). 8 years is a long time at my age!
After running the Cherry Blossom race 3 weeks prior, I realized I was going to be awfully close to my PR time. If you have been reading my posts for a while, you know I am now an interval runner. I typically run 5:1 intervals. Could I really PR a race doing run/walk intervals? I started to think maybe I could.
I decided a week prior to change my intervals to 6:1. The race started and off I went. I started a bit fast but quickly reigned myself in. 13.1 is a lot of miles. I watched my run intervals hold steady around 9:30-9:40. This was a flat course with minimal turns. There were at least 6 water stops. I carried my own hydration and did not stop at them. Crowd support was great!
I started to get a little tired in mile 11 and I realized I was so close to my time. I decided I would skip the last run walk interval once I got to the last mile. Now I just needed to get there. The rain picked up quite a bit the last 2 miles and I was ready to finish. I saw the finish line ahead and just gave it my all.
The Finish Line
I hit the finish soaking wet with everything I had and checked my watch. I did it! I got my PR by 30 seconds and finished at 2:15:26 beating my old time by almost 30 seconds. I’ll take it! I was so happy I nearly cried. I have lots of thoughts on run/walk intervals for another post. Right now, I am pretty proud of my almost 52-year-old self.
Final thoughts
This was probably the most organized, well run race I’ve ever done. From start to finish, I have no complaints. I would absolutely do this race again and I concur that it is a top race destination. Definitely, one to add to your bucket list!
Thanks for sticking with me for this long post.
Thanks for helping to make the Runners’ Roundup a huge success by visiting all of the hosts: Laura, Me, Debbie, Jen, Lisa
CONGRATULATIONS DEBORAH!!!!
Breaking your own PR 8 years later is awesome!
I love the idea of ringing a PR bell at the end of the race. This race really seems very well organized. If I’m ever in New York in October, I know which race I will sign up for!
It is a good one! I am really happy that I am running pain free and happy again for longer distances at my age
Congrats again! This sounds like such a great race and course. I’d love to do it one day. I think that area of NY sounds like a great place to visit this time of year too. It took me 5 years to break my initial half-marathon time. My official 5k PR is still from 2013, although I’ve broken that in virtual races.
Yes, definitely add to your list. I did not think it was possible to do at my age and with intervals but I did
As you know I ran this race too. I was so looking forward to your recap.
I’m so happy for you. We also did not have ideal weather. Cold and foggy. But overall a great experience. And before COVID so even more perks.
Congrats on your PR. Glad you had that bell too.
It was an amazing race experience that I would definitely do again
Awesome job, dear Deborah!!!!! I have heard so many great things about this event…now I want to join the party 😉 I love that it’s a somewhat small, though efficiently organized, event. Kind of a bummer on the rain, but as long as it isn’t a downpour rain is (usually) manageable. Huge congrats on the PR!!
The rain maybe only slowed me down a touch at the end but I cannot complain. I am proud of my effort on race day and grateful
Glad you entered a race with a perfect organization: it’s difficult to find similar races!
Congrats on the PB!!!!
The beautiful photos show a typical fall day with light rain and leaves on the ground.
It was great weather despite a little rain. Very happy with how the day played out thanks
Congrats on your PR!!!! I love how well the intervals worked out for you. It’s always an amazing feeling to beat yourself, especially at our age, isn’t it? Love this so much. Now I want to run it, lol.
Honestly, was not sure I would be able to pull it off at my age and doing intervals. They really do work. I am not beating any speed records except for my own but that’s all I care about. Thanks for the support and I hope you do have the chance to run it one year it is beautiful up there
That is awesome!!! I love the picture of you ringing the bell. Sounds like a really great race, in a beautiful location. It looks like fall is in full swing- love those colorful leaves on the trees. Congratulations!!!
Thanks Jenny was really not sure how it would go doing intervals but I am really happy with my effort and outcome
Congrats on your PR!!! Yay for run/walk;-)
I was so happy it worked out for me the way it did thanks
Oh well done, that’s brilliant! Hooray! I know I’m not going to PB at my half in 10 days’ time as I thought I might at one stage (my PB is from Feb 2016) but I’ve made my peace with that now. So chuffed for you!
hey don’t count yourself out you never know!
Congrats, Deborah, on your 30 second PR! I’ve heard great things about the Wineglass Marathon and Half. Glad you had a fun trip!
Thanks Deb! Was not sure it was possible to do with intervals 🙂
Bravo Deborah! This race is on my bucket list and it sounds like it did not disappoint. I love that you were able to PR with intervals. Congratulations!
Thanks Michelle I am now a true believer in intervals!
Congratulations on your new PR, Deborah!! What a wonderful race – I have driven through Corning and stopped downtown for lunch on my way to Buffalo, but now I see why everyone loves this race – I will have to add it to my bucket list!
Thanks! It is a fantastic venue for a race
Well done!! Congrats on your PR too. That rocks!!
thanks so much Lisa it was a nice surprise
First of all, congratulations on an incredible race! You rocked it! The rain could have taken a hike, but what an awesome experience!
This is definitely on my list of races to run. I need a NY race, and I love wine, so… it just makes sense.
thanks so much I am really happy with how it went
Congrats on the PR! I’ve heard wonderful things about Wineglass and that’s great you got to experience its magic!
thanks it is a great race. Hope you have a chance to run it some day