Just wondering if anyone is planning on hitting up the Saturday dinner at Gunstock. I’m considering it … can’t beat the price (FREE). I’ve never heard anything good generally about a race-sponsored pre-race dinner, however I love everything else about Timberman - so how bad could it be? Plus I’ll take what I can get for $0.00…
Last year we went to Nadia’s in Gilford…the food was decent but it was a logistical nightmare (two hour wait while our stomachs started eating themselves).
What kind of dinner plans do people have? I’m not trying to overthink things, but the pre-race dinner is important!
I typically like everything about Timberman, but I went to this two years ago and was underwhelmed. In all fairness, it’s pretty hard to expect a great free meal for potentially thousands of people, and I’ve never been to a pre-race dinner that I’ve liked. Knowing Keith, he may have also improved things in the last two years.
FWIW, I now bring my own dinner to any race that requires an overnight stay. Boring, but very practical. This way, I don’t have to waste time standing in line and/or risk getting a meal with too much garlic, etc that will keep me up all night. A few years ago, I went out to eat before a HIM and there were so few restaurants in the area that I wasn’t served until close to 9. No more.
I did Timberman last year and ate at the pre-race meal. It was pretty much like every other pre-race dinner I've had...all of the staples (pasta, bread, salad, cookies). Nothing too exciting, but exciting isn't what you are looking for in a dinner right before a race.
I know another poster said they were underwhelmed at the dinner, but I figure (and as you pointed out) you can’t beat the price and I know this dinner is a “sure thing” and not having to deal with busy restaurants, lines, waiting lists, etc. is a good thing.
My 2 centavos… I had the meal last year and thought it was just fine. While I ate I attended the “required” athletes’ meeting outside under the tent. I plan to do the same again this year. I agree with you, as a practical minded New Englander, it is hard to pass up “free!”
I will probably go so that I don’t have to stress about finding a place to eat or waiting a long time for food. I still have to get a dinner ticket for my husband. I may bring a backup meal just in case…I am paranoid about prerace pasta dinners ever since 2003 when I prepaid for the AG nationals pasta dinner and by the time I got there they were all out of everything. I’m sure this is much more organized.