Warning: This week’s Tuesdays on the Run topic might make you hungry. What runner isn’t hungry? Especially after a race? Are there certain races you’ve run that had memorable race food, for one reason or another? If so we wanna hear about it. All the good, the bad and the ugly too.
Personally I’m one of those people who isn’t hungry immediately after crossing the finish line. Lots of times I barely grab anything beyond water and maybe part of a banana because I know I “should”. But there have been plenty of instances where I’ve been wowed by the food selection.
Best Race Food:
Gasparilla Distance Classic. By the time we all finished, reconnected and got in line for the food, I was plenty hungry and it was worth the wait. Chicken Paella, beans, rice and signature salad from the Columbia Restaurant were oh so good and the perfect way to celebrate running 3 races in 2 days.
Lululemon Sea Wheeze Half Marathon. The post-race food was just as good as the swag. We were given full-size Vega Bars, Nuun tablets, then a nice breakfast consisting of Chia pudding, banana bread, fruit and dark chocolate.
Rotary 5k. This is my hometown race and it has a full-blown pancake breakfast for runners after the race complete with bacon, sausage, fruit, coffee and orange juice.
Worst Race Food Experience
Another standout, but for a different reason was the food after the Mag Mile Half Marathon a couple of years ago. While the food itself was not memorable to me, having two snack-size Luna bars swatted out of my hand while I was given the death glare by a volunteer got my attention. I quickly learned two Luna Bars exceeded my quota of one. Alrighty then. Think they were running low? Apparently the guy was the Soup Nazi of Luna Bars. Geez.
Most Grateful Food Experience
Know how after a race, especially a marathon, they hand you #allthefood as you make your way through the finish area? And you can’t possibly juggle #allthefood and yet you try? At the Boston Marathon back in 2010, thanks to Nissan, #allthefood was handed to us in a super-cute and awesome keepsake lunch tote, which I’ve hung onto all these years. Brilliant idea if you ask me.
What unique foods have you enjoyed at races? What races come to mind in terms of good post-race food?
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I cant think of a particular race that had really great food but I love when they provide a good bag or a tote to put it in! At Hershey they have us little lunch totes too and I thought that was awesome!
I liked the Baltimore running festival because of course they gave out the Chesapeake crab chips I love so much! Yes, I may have taken more than one bag! -M
This is so fun!! I don’t have any food memories from races to share but I love reading these. That tote from Boston is SUCH A GOOD IDEA!
Not really a unique food but I remember receiving multi colored bagels after one race I did in NYC. It was really unexpected and super cute. I also love any race that provides pizza after!
I can’t think of any memorable food after a race but I do remember reaching up on my tippy toes to grab a food box after the Chicago Marathon. My calves locked up and I couldn’t put my feet back down. I thought I was going to fall but someone caught me. The next thing I knew, I was in a wheelchair and taken to the medical tent. I never did find out what was in that food box.
There’s a nearby half marathon, the Hillbilly Hike, that offers a generous spread…biscuits and gravy and pie (plus the usual bananas, etc.).This race is the first weekend in November, sot he temps are always chilly…those hot biscuits are awesome! LIke you, though, I seldom have an craving for food right after a finish line….it takes me a good 30 minutes (at the minimum) before I can get any food into my system.
Part of why I ran Ocean City was the food. 🙂 I’d heard it was great & it didn’t disappoint! I’d read one review where they did say that it was really difficult to hold all the food, but now they give it out in a bag. Not a keepsake lunchbag but hey, if you run Boston, you deserve it!
Smuttynose’s lobster roll & chowder really hit the spot.
I did one race that benefited a farm. Even though I’m not a chocolate milk kind of gal, since it came straight from the farm, I really wanted it. But by the time I’d had my complimentary massage it was gone. I should’ve had Mr. Judy snag some for me!
OMG. The soup nazi of Luna bars. What the heck?! I shouldn’t laugh because it’s actually pretty shameful. What were they thinking?
I’m like you and barely take anything after the finish. I just don’t really want to hang out there and I can’t really stomach too much right away anyway. I think that’s why i like the MCM. They give you a little snack box of goodies which are perfect for eating right then or saving for later! (at least, they used to. It’s been a few years so I don’t know if they’ve changed their M.O.). As far as meals, the soup lunch after my 50k will likely stand out as the most memorable and the best. I swear, soup never tasted so good!
The worst would have to be the rock hard, and cold, pretzels after I finished my first marathon in Philly in November. I get that it was cold and I was not in the front of the pack but what a miserable experience.
The BolderBoulder has canvas lunch bags as the goody bag, with all the food already inside. All I needed to do was grab that and the water bottles they were handing out. I use the bag as my lunch bag every work day.
I had some pretty good pancakes at the Azusa Half but I’m not usually hungry right away either.
I want that Boston lunch bag! 😉
I am also one of those people who does not like to eat right after a race. I need about an hour then I am starving! I hear they have hot pretzels at the Philly race that sounds good to me
I feel like usually the post race food isn’t great. I’ve even packed my own protein bars for after a marathon so I know I’ll have something. I remember one race had chocolate milk and that was a good option!
I think races that give you bags at the end are so smart! It’s hard to carry it all when you’re tired after a race
You know I’m all about the food. That’s why I was so disappointed with Montreal.
Music Half in Sarasota had a great breakfast buffet (they may have changed the sponsor)
Perfect 10 in NJ had great (healthy) food.
Also the Love Run in Philly.
Ashbury Park Half in NJ too.
Now after Boston, you get your “snacks” in a clear plastic bag. Thank you, Bomber Guy.
Oh that pancake breakfast sounds awesome
My personal favorite is watermelon after summer runs, or ice pops