9th Annual (2012) RRR

Send us your comments on the 9th running of the RRR. We always like to hear how we did and how we can improve the event. Thanks for taking the time to let us know. We hope you'll come back to run the course you love to hate next year.

My first ever trail race today....LOVED it! so well organized and such a beautiful course. I'll be back. Thanks to you and each and every volunteer. PD

This is my 3rd RRR and I’m disappointed to say, they just keep getting more addicting!! I don’t know how to wait an ENTIRE year until I get to do it again!! This year was even more special to me as I ran it 4 ½ months pregnant to the day! Both Baby & I loved it & can’t wait to hit the trails again next year. After much initial trepidation, even Dad finally got hooked on the idea of an RRR relay next year after seeing how brutal & challenging parts of the course are (and he was just spectating…can’t wait to get him on the trails next year!!!). The only thing I noticed that was a little different was that not all the rocks and roots were spray painted the way they were last year, and there had to be a thousand more big loose rocks on the back half – what a challenge! I’m not complaining though – it kept my eyes darting and my mind constantly engaged with the beauty and experience I was running through! I can’t brag about this race enough – it feels like family out there. Super well organized (gets better every year I run it); best race goodies around (love the hat I finally won this year & can’t wait to break in my RRR shirt – they’re my favorite tees!); best volunteers (and was it just me, or did the volunteer count out there triple this year! I felt so supported and encouraged at so many more places along the way!!!). It’s really the best local race around in my books. I’m thankful for you guys. I’m incredibly blessed to have gotten a chance to run my favorite trails & enjoy some of God’s richest beauty with 4 ½ months of joy riding along – absolutely incredible!! Thanks for another 5 star event. Only thing that might make it better would be slowing some of the girls in my age down a little bit ;) Have a blessed year ahead & keep doing what you’re doing for the running community – you’re such a blessing!! KF

I'm a part timer in Southwest Florida, and I always try to arrange my work schedule whenever possible to make your race. I've completed 66 marathons and raced hundreds of other  races all over the country from Maine to California, and the RRR is one of my all time favorites. From the course, to the organization, to the volunteers, everything you do is 100% first class. If there are any race directors out there that need some pointers on how to put on a quality event, all the need to do is come to the RRR!!!
Thanks again-see you next year!!! MP

I think the RRR Race was the best trail race I've done, it was wonderful and I whipped out and did a chest plant at mile 6, had to hobble to the finish and STILL thought it was a blast! I don't think there is a thing that needs to be changed, everything was top notch starting out first thing by having people direct you to where to park. Everyone did a great, which I know can be hard to coordinate as I put on several races myself, both paddle and running, so I understand the work that goes into it. Keep up that good work and I'll see you next year. PL

What a great tough race. As you already know I've done a few ultra marathons including two 50 mile marathons. The second half of this race was for lack of a better word a real SOB. First half I felt great stayed right up front until mile 6 or 7 where I must have stepped on a rock creating a nasty blood blister on my right foot After that initial slow down I hit the crazy six to ten ft hills. This race has the only hills I have ever seen in southwest Florida. Did not expect that, but enjoyed every blood blister minute of it. Then of course I hit a nasty root around mile nine and took a terrible tumble down one of these hills going end over end. Cut my hand a little and felt a nasty pull in my right calve muscle, it turned out to be not much of anything. So I got back in the race with little or no pause after my unfortunate meeting with the roots. Of course my speed slowed down as I was pretty banged up and it was only ten miles in. I managed to pick up my speed at the end making it in to the top ten and finishing second in my age group. I was happy with the results after all that. When I finally get to the end, my wife, mother, and baby are waiting. I show them the cut on my hand, and my mother shows me her hand with an identical wound, as she fell during the 5k. Oh well that's racing I guess. Bottom line here is if people can complete this race they can complete a regular road marathon with ease. I just want people out there to know that. I hope to make it next year and bring some more friends. Thanks again!!!
PS The other good news I got to show my nephew Tyler how to properly drain and sanitize a really cool blood blister... GS

A long overdue thank you for yet another great RRR. It seems to get better every year, which is a great incentive to come back next year! How could we miss the tenth run?! As usual it was brilliantly organised and the volunteers were amazingly supportive - where do you find them? Ben has finally been initiated into the root hugging brigade - although it was his head that took the hit - he was so busy avoiding the roots at ground level that he ran into a tree! He is wearing his scar with pride. Thanks again and see you in 2013. MM

Comments from the 8th Annual (2011) RRR

Although I curse you each time I run through that "advanced hell area" (lol) this is always been one of my favorite trial runs!  I also get interesting comments when I wear the shirt in public!
Thanks for all the work.   I know these races don't plan themselves.  
See you next year.

Hello race people! Thanks for putting on a great event! I participated in the 5k and it was my first race since some nasty foot surgery last May. Though I'm certainly not back 100% it felt great to be "back in the saddle" so to speak. I'd like to try the half next year because the course looked awesome (I walked most of it after everyone was done). My only suggestion would be to make the 5k a chip timed event. It kind of felt like we were just tacked on at the end. The volunteers were all very friendly and everything seemed to run smoothly. Loved the pig logo. A big part of my job deals with feral hog issues so I ended up buying a bunch of t-shirts for co-workers. Looking forward to next year!!

Great race, as always. This is my fifth or sixth year of doing the 1/2 marathon. Wonderful aid stations with very helpful people there.
Two areas need help: we got there about 7:15 and could not find the start area (the big flag was not up yet), and ended up going all the way to the old start a long way off; For those of us running 2:40 or longer, there was not much food out and all bags of nut mix were gone. My wife waiting at the finish said people were taking five and six bags at a time, so they ran out. Some food should be kept put away for later runners.
Thanks so much for your efforts and putting the race together. I will be there next year.

Thanks for another awesome race! Weather and the course itself couldn’t have been more perfect. Thanks Susan for the red shirt, I now have a good collection, bought lots of coffee cups too! One of these days I hope to do the half. I was pretty slow on the 5K then found out yesterday I have a cracked rib from my horseback jumping last week so that sounds like a pretty good excuse for not running too fast! Can’t wait til the next one! Thanks again for all your hard work and motivation!

RRR is a great race.  It’s well organized, well run and well attended.  There are so many high points, but the pinnacle is the course itself.  The RRR course challenges and delights with every turn.  RRR should be a destination half-marathon for out-of-towners (and what’s not to like about our January weather?).  Locals should get off the asphalt and run the best trail race in the region.  You’ll probably forget you are in Lee County when you hit the switchbacks deep in the trail.  Thank you to the organizers and volunteers!

I just wanted to take a moment and thank you for organizing this great event. The trail was challenging and rewarding. The running schwag was cool and environmentally responsible. Keep up the good work and keep on running.

WOW is the first thing on my mind when I think of yesterday's run. I just started running around May last year and decided to try for this half-marathon at the end of October during a "Girl's night out" when I came across your site while googling for a half-marathon in lee county. I hadn't done more than 4-1/2 miles at that time but I really put my mind to it. Didn't read the 3 hours max until after I registered and that made me worried a few weeks ago, but then I managed the distance for the first time last week on the beach and I did it in 2.30 h and that made me more confident.
This was my first race whatsoever and it will always hold a special place in my heart because the trail was just so beautiful. I didn't have any set time goal except to manage in less than 3 hrs and was worried a bit to run it without music or my runkeeper app but it was a blessing. I just kept a steady pace and was really surprised I managed in 2.30 h. I have to say I loved the tough part. Makes it more fun I think (even though I almost tripped a few times). I was just in awe with the trail, especially the second part. I don't think I ever want to do any other races but trail races. All the volunteers were great and cheered during the water stops and especially towards the end - how could I do anything else but smile when I crossed the finish line.
I had a few 5K participants with me and we all agreed we'll be back next year (probably with a few more people from Marco ;)).
Thanks so much for organizing this & a big "Thank you" to all the volunteers - It was awesome!!!

Thank you again for such a great event - although if it gets much harder we might not manage next time - actually the additional challenge was great! As usual it was brilliantly organised and the volunteers were fantastic. We will definitely be making the trip up from the caribbean again next year! We love the new merchandise too. Our white hats are on their last legs but we still love them! Thank you so much for the certificate and hat. Would it be a huge pain to send it. I would completely understand if so. I saw on the website that a man of 78 completed the course - wow! Thanks again to you and all the organizers and volunteers.

Thanks so much for a great race! The course was well marked and the trails were well maintained. Thanks for putting neon orange paint on most of the roots! IT was a big help! The volunteers were wonderful and very encouraging. Many had signs of good wishes and big smiles. This was a first for me. There are trail runs at home in New Jersey but i have felt intimidated by them so i avoid them. Here in Florida where everything is cement i have been trying to find alternative running areas. When i saw the info on this race back in December i decided i just had to have that shirt and a medal too! So i began running the route here in Koreshan State Park where my husband and I are volunteer campground hosts. It was fun and so i picked up the pace and ran through Estero Bay Preserve as well. Not fast, no, i will never be fast but i thought i could get finished at about 3 hours so i decided to take the challenge! Thank you for a great course, a wonderful tshirt and medal . Since i came in second in my age division i also have a really need wooden pig. At my age i need things to jog my memory! Thank you again to all who organized and volunteered and had this race running so smoothly. Please, next year don't forget the "old lady" category! I was embarrassed to have to ask and even more embarrassed by the comment of the presenter when he said he was "attacked" by the women. This is not the first time that my age group has been overlooked at races though so i guess it is just part of the fun! And should i mention that i sure had sore muscles the next couple of days! KEy West Half this sunday should be a walk in the park compared to your bike mountains! LOVED IT! THANK YOU AGAIN!!

Comments from the 7th Annual RRR (2010)

This was my first trail run….And will not be my last!  I have participated in the Muddy Buddy series for the past two years and your race made that look like child’s play.  You can count on me next year and I will be bringing my wife and a few friends.  Great job!!!

Thanks for allowing for feedback.  I love this race and this was my third year running it.  I just wanted to comment on the timing of the awards….I feel that they are started a bit too early.  I had been done with the race for only 5 minutes or so when they began (finished in 2:12).  But there were still many runners still coming in, and I think it discouraging and unfair to them as most people were gathered for the awards and no one paying attention to the finishers….I would have liked to cheer some others in, but was torn between the finish line and the award/raffle ceremonies. I realize that you have to be timely and all that but just wanted to comment on that.

As usual, we really enjoyed RRR this year.  Thanks for putting on a great race.  We look forward to this one each year.
I am saddened to see that the powers that be selected the second weekend in Jan 2011, as this is the same weekend as the Walt Disney World Marathon.  If possible, could you try to schedule it for the first weekend in 2012 (I know the date will not be considered for almost a year)
Again, really enjoyed this year.  Thanks!

This was my first RRR Run and I didn't know quite what to expect, although from talking with those who have experienced this course I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted to avoid (ankle turns, a bloody face, cuts and bruises to name a few).  This turned out to be one of the most challenging, unique and exciting runs I have ever participated in.  This event is well-organized, and I just wish to thank you and ALL folks who helped put the race together.  It was an experience of a lifetime, and if my old knees hold on, I'll be back next year.  Thanks!

The course was awesome!  You guys were organized and on
time with everything.  I'm not a fast runner or even a "serious"
runner, but I love off-road events (at heart I am a Mt. Biker) and
right now my wrist is fractured so I can't ride my bike.  This was a
great challenge and a great alternative for me to get in some fun and
some exercise!

I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed the event today - it was well organized and I thank you for your obvious hard work and dedication.  I did the event in 2006 and I have to say the back section of the course seemed much harder then I remember (and I had a much better run today then in 2006).  Don't change a thing on the course for next year (unless you can somehow make it harder - but it is quite a good sufferfest as it is!)  I also really appreciated all the volunteers on the course.  I was leading a pack of runners for about 4-5 miles and never once did I question what direction I needed to go.  The presence of the volunteers on the course really helped make that possible.  I also really like the idea of the reusable bag and the medals made from recycled material - very original!  Have a safe trip back up North.  I look forward to next years RRR!!