Atlantic City April Fools Race



This past weekend we spent some time at the beach for the Atlantic City April Fools race.  The race is a 7K and 11K.  I did the 11k last year, and the 7k the year before. I usually do this race with my mom but this year my sister decided that she wanted to run it with me.  This is a fun little race to do and makes for a great girls weekend. The first year I ran it, I thought the race was great, very organized, and offered lots of perks (free post race massages). The second year I ran it, the race seemed to have slimmed down on a lot of things. I was anxious to see what this year brought seeing as the Revel Resort (which usually hosts the race) was now closed down. In any case, the race must still go on, and so it did.

We stayed at the Tropicana Resort and Casino which is actually on the opposite end of the boardwalk from where the race started. The races started at Resorts, so we had about a mile walk on the boardwalk.  The weather was beautiful, much warmer than it had been the years prior. I of course was way over dressed. The years before it was super windy, but that was not the case this year. 

April Fools Race
Runners on the boardwalk pre-race
For the most part, I think this is a good little race and I enjoy that the entire course is an out and back on the boardwalk. Because I am still struggling with an injury, I chose to only do the 7K, while Lacey did the 11K. My right leg was giving me the most trouble, but I still tried to keep a steady pace.  As I was running towards the finish line, I heard someone actually call my name. Someone was cheering for me. I wasn't expecting to see anyone I knew there, but it was Bonnie from CuseRunnergirl.  After I crossed the finish line I went and chatted with her for a few minutes while she waited for her husband to cross and I waited for Lacey. It was so nice to meet her and I was thankful that she noticed me.

Since this was Lacey first time running this race series, lets hear how her race went....
The night before the race I realized I forgot my headphones for my Ipod.  Out of all the races to not have my Ipod, this shouldn't have been one of them. The entertainment on the course lacked. There were only two vans playing music and you could only hear them for a quarter of mile or so. But I will say running on the boardwalk was fun. They didn't close it down for the race so you had spectators along the course the whole way.  Because I didn't have my Ipod in I was able to hear my breathing.  I thought for the pace I was going my breathing was well controlled. There was this person that was running behind me for half of the race breathing so heavy. I was hoping that he was going to pass me. He eventually did and I saw he was wearing his Ipod.  I thought to myself I hope I don't sound like that when I am wearing mine.  Also by not having music to occupy my time I felt like I was looking at my Garmin more often than I usually do. 
 
After the turning point I knew I was half way there. There were runners on both sides of the boardwalk now and there was this one particular runner on the other side that didn't make the turn yet and looked right at me and said "You are an Inspiration." I thought that was so nice of her to say that, and wondered why me out of all those runners?  That did give me a little more pep in my step after hearing that and led me to strong finish. I found out afterwards that I ended up finishing 3rd in my age group.  Too bad they were not giving awards for that. It was only overall winners. 
Post race. We really needed our sunglasses!
After receiving our medals and getting our snacks (soft pretzels and caramel corn)we headed over to Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville for the post race party and complimentary beverages. It was nice that we both finished early because we were able to walk right in and get a seat and be served right away. Shortly after that it became packed very quickly and was standing room only. One of the cool things we got at the post race party were these Margaritaville Singles to Go.
pina colada water enhancers
 
 As the packet says, you add them to your water. While there, we tried the Pina Colada one and it was absolutely scrumptious!  Needless to say, we are on a hunt as to where to purchase these.

After going back to our hotel to freshen up, we headed back out to the boardwalk for a post race foot and leg massage, and then back over to Margaritaville for lunch.
Margaritaville
 We had a taco salad and chicken tacos, both which were yummy. Funny story, we had a seat right by the window and as we looked out, we saw a group of guys that were dressed up as characters. One of them was Snow White, and it wasn't even a race costume. See, that's proof that you don't need to be at Disney to see people dressed as characters...haha.

Overall I think we had a great weekend, the weather was perfect, the race was well organized, and we even got to go to Rainforest Café on Friday afternoon. Oh, and we found the most adorable cupcake shop on the Boardwalk called Boardwalk Cupcakes that we visited more than once!

Even though there were no complimentary post race massages like the first year, I think this was an improvement from the year before. Packet pick up was a breeze, the race medals are large and beautiful, and we got a good quality tech shirt.
April Fools race
The front of the race shirt. Good quality, but not as "stylish" as last year's
 I will say that the shirts were a different cut than the years before. We always got women's cut V-necks.   We didn't try on our shirts till we got back to the room. We assumed our X-small shirts would fit fine, but they were rather large on us. They were not V-necks, so we thought maybe we got a unisex cut by mistake.  The volunteers at packet pick up were an elderly man and women who were fighting like they were married, They gave us the wrong size shirts the first time around, so we wondered if maybe they did make a mistake and gave us the men's shirts instead.  On race day I did see other women wearing the race shirt and they didn't look any different than ours, so I guess they were all the same.

Regardless, it was nice to be in the warm weather and get some time at the beach. Only 22 more days until our next Race-cation!

We saw a Margaritaville when we were in Las Vegas but did not eat there. Have you ever been to a Margaritaville before?

                                                    We are linking up with TOTR.

43 comments:

  1. I love any excuse to be at the beach, and it looks like you ladies had an absolutely gorgeous day to both run a race and enjoy the beach!

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  2. I was going to do this race, but I'm doing the More/Fitness Half next weekend...definitely not yet up to two races a week apart! Good recap - looking forward to running this one at some point :)

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    1. It is a nice race. I hope you get to run it sometime! They do a race series in the fall too!

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  3. Those are really interesting distances for races! You can be assured of a PR I guess. Looks like a fun time with great weather.

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    1. We thought the odd distance was because it was called the April Fools race but I just recently heard of a friend running that distance at another race.

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  4. Wow, perfect weather for a nice race weekend at the beach. Great job ladies and hopefully M did not feel any ill affects in her recovery. It's weird they changed shirts from one year to the next, but it is probably cheaper to make only unisex race shirts.

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  5. I've never been to Atlantic City--sounds like a fun race and a fun day! That shirt thing is annoying. I'd rather not have a shirt at all if they aren't going to size them for women.

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    1. I'm not certain they weren't sized for women but I know for sure they were different than last year. Still nice shirts though!

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  6. That's nice that the race was an out and back along the boardwalk! It sounds like a fun race overall, though it's too bad about the shirts. That's crazy they fit so big when it's an extra small. Those Margaritaville Singles to Go sound like a great idea!

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    1. Boardwalk runs are always my favorite. They seem to be a bit easier on the knees!

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  7. Sounds like a fun race, congrats to you both! I need to race in AC one of these days...it was such a beautiful weekend with perfect running weather! I've been to Margaritaville in an airport and I believe in Orlando...pretty srong drinks!

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  8. I've been to the Margaritaville in Orlando many times since we drive there from Disney for a fun day out of the parks, and I've been to the one at Mohegan Sun.

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  9. This makes me want to go to the beach soooo bad! After last year, I decided I probably wouldn't be running this race again...mainly because I'm the type who DEFINITELY needs distraction/spectators/hoopla along the course! But it is DEFINITELY a perfect excuse for a girls' weekend! Looks like you guys had some fun. Gotta love Margaritaville! :)

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    1. My sister thought there needed to be more hoopla, but for such a short distance, I thought it was great and definitely enough distractions on the boardwalk. I always enjoy this race each year!

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  10. Sounds like a wonderful trip and a wonderful race! Congrats!

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  11. So nice to meet you Meranda! Congrats ladies on great races! We went to Margaritaville to eat after the kids races and really liked it. I tried to go to that bakery for those cupcakes. They looked delicious! But the line was long and wasn't moving so I gave up. What kind did you ladies have?

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    1. Glad you enjoyed Margaritaville too! Oh, those cupcakes...lol. The first day we had the chocolate peanut butter and the Elvis. The second day we had the Strawberry and Cream and a red velvet! That Green Tea one looked interesting but I couldn't bring myself to try it!

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  12. Something you will NEVER hear me say in life: an x-small is too big on me... :) haha

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  13. What a fun race! I haven't run with headphones in years, so while I hear everything, what I'm most aware of is footsteps. Now you've got me wondering about my breathing sound...maybe I tune it out but I might be loud, LOL.

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  14. That race sounds super fun! I love the idea of running on the Atlantic City Boardwalk - anything along the waterfront would be incredible. The 7K and 11K distances are very unique, too. Love the medals!!! And I wish you a speedy recovery from your injury!

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  15. Interesting distances! I think the coolest part is the Margaritaville single serving drink mixes. Who needs a medal?? We have one of those restaurants in Chicago but I've never thought about going there. Now I'll have to reconsider!

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  16. sounds like a fun race! I haven't run without headphones in years except for a long run in Feb where i forgot my ipod. I eventually borrowed my boyfriends because I couldn't stand hearing other people breathe heavy and stomp loud.

    and i have been to Margaritaville but only the one in Vegas!

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  17. Sounds like a really fun race series!
    I used to always listen to music when I raced and then once I forgot them I realized it was a totally different experience and I enjoyed it more to listen to others, and like you said, even listen to myself:) So now I never take them in a race, and like to suggest to others to try a few without them too:)
    I haven't been to Margaritaville, but I do love Taco's and especially after a race, I think Mexican food is great for after a race:)
    One cool interesting thing are the distances in those races, 7k & 11k, those aren't distances you see here is the states very much, pretty cool!!!!
    Great job ladies!!! Cute pics!

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  18. We've actually been to the Margaritaville in AC and had an awful experience there. Service was ridiculously slow, I mean we waited almost an hour just to get our appetizer. And the food wasn't that great. But I love the Rainforest Cafe! I'm considering doing this race one year, but it would be about a 2 hour drive... do you think it's worth it?

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    1. I think it is worth it if you plan to make an entire weekend out of it. Stay at one of the resorts/casinos right along the boardwalk, do some shopping, have some nice meals. It was fun. In addition to the 7K and 11K on Saturday, they also host a half marathon on Sunday. They now have a challenge if you race on Saturday and then again on Sunday.

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  19. That sounds like a fun event. Margaritaville? Yes! I haven't seen the singles before. It would be neat to run on the boardwalk. The medal is very nice. Congrats!

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  20. The Margaritaville in Las Vegas has a little bar on the side where you can order frozen drinks. It's funny you mention it, I was just looking at some photos from a few years ago there.

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  21. It sounds like such a fun race! Congrats to you both! Lacey, the comment about hearing your breathing brought back a funny memory. Last year I ran the 5K portion of a race that also had a half marathon, and we all started at the same time. In the very last part of the 5K, I was pretty much dying and my breathing was crazy loud and ragged. It sounded like I was going to die. All the runners doing the half marathon started at me...I hope they knew I was running the 5K and not half marathon, because it would have been pretty bad if I was breathing like that at mile 3 of a half!

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  22. Sounds like a fun little race. I swear race shirts never fit me right any more. Thanks for joining us!

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  23. I need to make it down to Atlantic City sometime. 7K and 11K, very interesting distances. Would be automatic PRs for me since I've never run those before :) Great report

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  24. Glad you ladies had good races! Congrats to Lacey on being third in her AG! Your post-race meal sounds delicious, so does the cupcakes and the water singlets! Congrats to you both!! :)

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  25. Sounds like a great race and fun to do the event with your sis :) The post-race snacks sound delicious - much better than the usual banana and how fun to have the post-race celebration at Margaritaville!

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  26. looks like a fabulous time!!! and great weather! Yeah! There is a Margarittaville in Orlando- holler next time you are here I will meet you there! Always a good time!

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  27. Sounds like a great race! I always wonder what my breathing sounds like when I'm running with headphones in too. Soft pretzels and caramel corn as post-race snacks?! Sign me up haha

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  28. Ohh that sounds like a fun race and pina colada drink mix? Yes please!! Congrats to both of you on another great race!! It must be so fun to be able to race with each other!!

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  29. I'm surprised they weren't giving out any age group awards. I think all races should give them out, even if it's just a 10 cent ribbon (or a watermelon like the local 4th of July 3 miler here). Congrats on your races! So funny on the t-shirt volunteers bickering!

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  30. Looks like it was a beautiful day for a run! 11K and 7K, what unique distances!

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Fairytales and Fitness is a personal blog authored and edited by us, Meranda and Lacey. The thoughts expressed here represent only our own and are not meant to be taken as professional advice. Please note that our thoughts and opinions change from time to time. We consider this a necessary consequence of having an open mind in an ever changing society. Any thoughts and opinions expressed within our out-of-date posts may not be the same, nor even similar, to those we may express today. Some links may contain affiliate links. Some links are just to pages we'd like to share.