Anyone running the Cherry Blossom 5k?

[Anonymous]

I heard it’s extremely crowded. Anyone BTDT and know:
- does bag check take forever; how much time to allot to check it?

- is the no headphones rule enforced? I’ll follow it if it is but prefer to run with music so it will be annoying if everyone around me has them in.

[Anonymous]

Last time I ran it I had headphones and it was fine. A lot of people did.

[Anonymous]

It's a 5k. Run without headphones and skip the bag check.

[Anonymous]

Skip the bag check if you can. I put ID and everything in windbreaker with a zip pocket or running belt

[Anonymous]

The start line was extremely crowded and poorly organized last year so just prepare yourself for a lot of jostling in the beginning.

Headphones rule was not enforced.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's a 5k. Run without headphones and skip the bag check.

This is what I'd recommend. Bag check for the 10 miler wasn't too bad in the past but the bathroom lines are long.

It's annoying to see all the headphones. I think it cuts down on the spirit a little.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. I’d only do the bag check bc it’s going to be cold and I sort of want to bring a coat.

[Anonymous]

What’s the best approach to avoid the chaos- start in the back and late?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What’s the best approach to avoid the chaos- start in the back and late?

Unless you are going to be below 20 or maybe more like 18:30 or below, to avoid the chaos all together, starting in the back isn’t such a bad idea. That’s universal advice for these large 5K events frankly. Outside the very front/elite corrals it’s usually chaos.

[Anonymous]

I just realized that the 5K and 10 mile events are both(?) USA Track and Field certified events. That probably explains the no headphones thing - just like US Triathlon. Though Triathlon it makes significantly more sense since with lack of street closures.

I can't imagine how that is going to be enforced. I am up now and getting ready for the 10 mile this morning. That one has wave assignments and I am in the first wave. I will be using headphones, but will probably only have one of them in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just realized that the 5K and 10 mile events are both(?) USA Track and Field certified events. That probably explains the no headphones thing - just like US Triathlon. Though Triathlon it makes significantly more sense since with lack of street closures.

I can't imagine how that is going to be enforced. I am up now and getting ready for the 10 mile this morning. That one has wave assignments and I am in the first wave. I will be using headphones, but will probably only have one of them in.

Good luck. That means you must be really fast!