The two previous times I've raced the local Long Island based Titan Run were both in the Fall season at their 4H camp location in Riverhead, back in 2016 and 2017. This spring time race in nearby Center Moriches was a new location for me, but proved to be just as impressive (and just as rainy, at all three so far!) as the others. I think any of the attendees who have done a fair amount of bigger OCRs will agree- this event is dollar-for-dollar, one of the best you can find. And we Long Island natives are lucky to have it right in our own backyard.
1. COURSE- The trend of most events on my race schedule, filled with all the big series names you know of, is that costs have gone up while the actual race and obstacles have remained stagnant or even dwindled. Not so at Titan, where entry comes to (after plenty of opportunities on discount offers) to price out in the $50-60 average range, an almost unheard of amount among mainstream events. And where the news gets better is that while the race itself sits on the shorter end, around a 5k distance, there was a total of over 40 obstacles! Thats more than a dozen obstacles per mile on the course, also unheard of! Sure, you wont see gigantic structures with multistory climbs and water slides, but the obstacles are as creative as any other brand. My personal bias is with the favorable nod to the ninja warriors- having a warped wall, salmon ladder, devil stairs, peg board, cliffhanger, and a few other hanging rigs. And then there's an axe throw- need I say more?? GRADE = A
2. FESTIVAL- The bigger number of vendor tents set up even despite the lousy weather told me the race must be growing each year (owner told me they actually saw a +30% increase from last race). Fresh hot food was available and lots of sample giveaways from all their sponsor companies if you visited their tents. Parking was a few minutes walk from the main race area, which wasn't an issue other than the lot (read: grass yard) being pretty small, so they might need to expand as more runners sign up for the next one. GRADE = B
3. SWAG- Medals were introduced last year, and they improved on that souvenir with a dated and more decorative camoflage ribbon this time. When you register, a finisher shirt is a modest $5 add-on option, well worth the price to come away with some new garb. Other merch was available in the festival tent, all reasonably priced as well. GRADE = A
OVERALL GRADE = A
