The 2017 even took place Saturday, February 18. It was unseasonably warm, highs would reach near 60 degrees. It was a sunny day. The race start is 11 am.

Registration: This event is capped at 350 runners due to restricted parking around the race start, so register early for the best rate ($25.) Also by registering early you get an option to get a long sleeve tech shirt and a personalized bib. The price increases to $30 ish and will sell out.

Expo/ packet pick up: There is no expo for the event. However, there is packet pick up inside the lodge starting at 8:30. This process is easy, just look your bib number up first, grab a pre-filled envelope with your shirt and bib and then grab the timing chip that goes on your shoe. During this time there is also a table set up with information about the running club - memberships, upcoming races, and gear.

Inside the lodge are real flushing toilets, however due to the high traffic use, they back up. There are additional port-o-potties set up outside, which are very clean.

As mentioned before there is limited parking for the event. If you come early there is parking near the start, by the lodge. If you arrive a little later, there is a lot nearby and shuttle is provided to get you to the lodge. It's also not that far away, great distance for a short warm up.

Pre-race: There were some announcements and the National Anthem was sung and the race started. There was no sound system at the start, so those that were lined up in the back may not have heard any of that. People self seeded at the start by pace, there were no signs, it seemed to work out fine.

Race/Course: The course is through the Squaw Creek park.
-Terrain: paved or asphalt. As will conditions this time of the year in Iowa, asphalt becomes more hazardous, so just watch your footing for potholes and loose rocks.
-Elevation: There race isn't pancake flat, a few inclines, but nothing steep. The finish is uphill.
-Spectators: There are not many out cheering people on, however the race has out and back sections, so you are cheering and getting cheered on by other runners. Once near the finish, there are many energetic finishers cheering on others.
-Volunteers: The course is in the park area, so there aren't busy intersections for volunteers to keep an eye on. The local area college manned the water station, complete with the mascot.
-Medical: there was an ambulance at the finish area
-Aid Station: One water stop, with paper cups, just after the one mile mark. You could stop here just before you finish too.
-Course Markings: each mile was marked with a flag. There were signs posted "race in progress"

Finish: The finish line was easy to spot with an inflatable arch and timing mats. Once crossing the line, a volunteer snapped the chip from your shoe, and you could grab a bottle of water from a pool of ice. The timing company was giving out printed sheets with finisher information.

Post Race: Inside the lodge is where the post race events were happening. There was a line for the finisher food, which was chili, sandwiches, and lots of cookies! There were pools outside with beer, more water, and soda. The race advertised this as a "social." It appeared that many people stuck around to hang out.

There was an awards ceremony when everyone had finished. If you couldn't stick around, once official results were available, you could grab your medal. During this time there was also random door prizes, there was a board posted with bib numbers and you could claim your prize.

Also during the awards, the running club gave out it's annual circuit prizes.

Overall: This is a great priced race with an excellent community feel. It kicks of the Corridor Running season. If you are in the area, try to get in before it sells out.

My Race: I was so happy to have a race on my schedule. I run so many races, I was in a rut from not having any races to do. I am also on the Corridor Running board, so I was helping with race day things. I was taking pictures for the event, this meant I would be running with a Go Pro and my phone. I always try for a sub 30 at the 5k distance, and I am happy to report that I was able to finish just under 28 minutes, while taking all the video and photos.

-Also a side note, this was probably the warmest temp for this race ever. It's usually around 25 degrees this time of year in Iowa.