EX2 Adventures

I am a fat, slow, newbie runner. I come in last in every race I run, but I still run, and never walk. In 2015, I have run a race each month this year, starting with 5ks, then 10ks, 5 milers, and now I have finished a 10 miler. Each race I have taken place at has been a positive, but when I ran a EX2 race at Wakefield park September 13^th, 2015, I was very blessed. First, the runners, just as fit and fast as the road racers I have met at the other races, but were more social towards newbies. I had several staff and real runners chat with my wife and I before and after the race. I have now completed two races with them as of yesterday, the second one 10 miler at Lake Fairfax, and again, the courses are well marked, the trails very challenging, and vibe of the event, awesome. They have two experienced staff operating as «sweepers» equipped with radios, one following the last runner of the 5 mile distance and one following the last runner of the 10 miler. They kept back, but it is really nice to know that if you get hurt, you are not alone in the woods. Water/​Gatorade stations were about every 1.5 miles. The spread at the completion of the race is nice, lots of food and selection. The thing that blew me away, I was dead last, 99% of the crowd had gone home, and most of the volunteers were busy packing up gear. They left the timer up for me… I came in 30 minutes after the last runner ahead of me, and they waited, cheered me on, and never once made me feel unwanted. The head of the event even walked across the field to congratulate, thank, and invite me to more races. Wow, what a nice experience. I hope to run a 5 miler at the end of November with them to close out my year.

A disappointing experience. I paid $ 50 for a race that was cancelled, EX2 Adventures cancelled the race and then refused to give refunds. Any for profit venture involves risk: with the EX2 crew the financial risk seems to be carried 100% by the paying public.
There are plenty of other race series in the DC area, I suggest giving your entrances fees to a race promoter who will stand behind their event and their racers and take a hit when necessary, or at least offer discounted entry to a future event.

EX2 courses may be good but I’m not going to another. Two reasons:
1) Their award structure is awful and effectively drive runners away. Consider:
— Their oldest age groups are too low. For example, the oldest AG for their Off-​Road HM is 50+. Older competitors are at a tremendous disadvantage to runners in their low 50s. Ex2 might claim that they don’t get any older runners but the reason for that is because EX2’s policies are not nice to older runners.
— Age groups are too wide (10 year groups). Yes, EX2 gives 5 awards per AG but what good is that if most or all the awards are captured by runners in the lower-​half of the AG? Better to have finer age groups with fewer awards per AG.
2) Their races are too expensive. Consider:
— Race wasn’t chip timed.
— The HM had no finisher premium.
— AG award was just a glass. No cash or even a coupon to a running store.
— Their policy (buried in the fine print) is that anyone signing up within 10 days is not guaranteed a shirt. (Needless to say, I didn’t get a shirt.)
This is not what I expect from an expensive commercial race.

Absolutely fantastic race organizers. They do everything right that the strictly profit-​motivated organizers do wrong. For one, EX2 has reasonable limits on numbers of entrants which solves 50% of problems with parking, crowded courses, long lines to sign in, etc. They also have well thought out courses and a fantastic attitude from the top employees to the casual volunteers. I can go on, but just know the race experience with EX2 is always great — I’ve raced with them about 10 races over 10 years now. Keep up the good work EX2!!!

EX2 rocks! I truly believe they’re the best race organizer in the DC/​MD/​VA region. I’ve run close to 10 races with them since last year, and every single one has been fun, well-​planned & supported, and reasonably priced.
I live in Baltimore now, but have no problem braving the traffic down to VA to take part in one of their events (hoping for a few more MD events in the future!). The courses they use are beautiful and well-​maintained, after-​race food is great, and they give away tons of schwag at each event. I placed third in a recent event and got a brand new $ 80 Camelbak! Even if you don’t place, they give away tons of stuff after each event, from T-​shirts to hydration packs to $ 200 exercise watches.
If you’ve never run trail before, I highly recommend trying an EX2 event. You spend enough time in traffic… get off the pavement and give your joints a break!

I have been running in trail races with EX2 since late 2010. Have run in the backyard burn fall series and spring series, and am looking forward to this falls series. All of the events are well organized and ran. I always feel as if they are looking out for the participants. The courses are always marked clear and fun and challenging. Always seems to be a nice long hill to run up at the end of the races :) Results are up quickly. Post race food and festivities are always top notch as well.

EX2 Adventures trail running and mountain biking races are awesome!
These races are planned by runners, for runners. This isn’t some elementary school fundraiser or overcrowded destination race where all they care about is your entry fee. If you are a runner, you know what I’m talking about. These aren’t the kind of races where they charge inflated entry fees for a crappy cheap t-​shirt with a hundred logos on it, a couple cookies and a warm bottle of water, and lines around the block for overflowing port-​o-​lets. Oh no, the people at EX2 Adventures are very well organized and actually care that you have fun.
Case in point, in April I ran the final race of the 2010 Spring Backyard Burn series out in Prince William Forest Park, Virginia. The EX2 Adventures sponsors gave away so much post-​race food and prizes, I really felt like I came out way ahead of what I paid in registration fees. Beyond gorging myself on pizza and other goodies after the 10 mile trail run, I also randomly won a gift certificate for a half hour massage for having the worst race injury; a set of ridiculously bloody nipples.
I’ve only ever participated in the Backyard Burn races, but have heard great things about the Cranky Monkey mountain biking and Greenhorn Adventure races. If you are looking for a fun and challenging adventure you can’t go wrong with an EX2 event.

I forget how I found out about these guys, but I’m glad I did. I’ve made it a habit to run their «Backyard Burn» series trail races in both the spring and the fall. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not in the race to win it. I do it b/​c I love to run, be on the trail and I love the atmosphere of being out there with folks who appreciate being outside getting some exercise. Don’t be intimidated if you’re not a world class athlete. All shapes and sizes show up and I great time is had by all. The folks who manage these events are top notch!

Race fees.
During these tough economic times some might consider this a luxury item. Anyone can just hop on their bike or throw on some running shoes and get a great workout for free. So what do you really get for your race fee?
«a Date». That’s right… you have a date on your calendar. We all say we’re going to get up and go for a 6am run on Monday, but how often does that happen? Once you commit to the race, you’re much more likely to get your butt out of that warm, comfy bed and put your running shoes on.
«the Experience». Sure, you can join various local running or cycling groups, but where else can you meet up with a few hundred other like minded athletes to push and challenge yourself to run or ride your hardest and fastest? How cool is it to give your child the opportunity to watch from the side lines as mommy or daddy races past them, sometimes giving out a high-​five as they go by?
«aid stations». Multiple aid stations are set up every few miles on the course ready to offer water, Gatorade and medical attention, should you need help while out on the course. Staff and volunteers are set up with radio communication for any possible situation that might arise.
«action photos». High hopes to be the fresh face for Nike or Under Armour? Brian Knight Photography is out on the course catching your athletic endeavors… leaping across a creek, tumbling down shock-​a-​billy, scrambling up the rocks at Rocky Gap, or your relieved expressions upon seeing the finish line.
«a marked course». Feeling apprehensive about checking out a new area by yourself? Afraid you might get lost out in the wilderness? If you’re like me, I never trail run or mtn bike by myself solely for safety purposes. Too bad all the trails I ride don’t have «XXX“danger signs when approaching a crazy rocky descent!
«post race party». Fresh, hot Papa Johns pizza awaits you at the finish. Instant gratification for getting out of bed early in the morning. Fruit, granola bars, yogurt, cookies, M&Ms, and other refreshments are provided at every race. Great prizes such as Ipods and gift certificates to running stores like VA runner, and the Bike Lane are also given out during the awards ceremony.
«fond memories». You’ll always remember picking up your pace to pass the girl in front of you so that you could get on the podium. You’ll remember your off road ½ marathon finish time. You’ll remember how you felt when you rocked shock-​a-​billy in front of a crowd of spectators. When you bump into a complete stranger wearing the EX2 hat, or race T-​shirt, you’ll find yourself curious as to which race he or she participated.
I’ve raced in a few EX2 events, and volunteered for many more. I have had the pleasure to see the race experience from both sides, and I know how much hard work goes into putting together a well run race with high levels of support. I also have experienced the feelings of camaraderie with fellow athletes, the joy of crossing the finish line after a particularly difficult physical challenge, and the satisfaction of knowing I was able to push myself farther than I ever imagined.
When you consider all of this, the race fee becomes more of a long term investment in yourself.

If NAKID is in Unilocal,then EX2 sure should be also. These guys put on a couple dozen cool outdoor races a year including trail runs, mountain biking, and adventure races. I did my first trail run with them after arriving in DC last year and was hooked (limping, but hooked).
The races are held at various parks across VA and MD. You get to hang out outdoors, run/​bike with a bunch of good natured people, and pretend its a race. The people who show up for these events come with a good mindset and the EX2 staff with the help of volunteers keep everything well organized and fun.
Full disclosure, I’ve got to know many of the staff and mountain bike with them for fun. But it all started because I enjoyed their events so much.