Registration: This was available online, starting at $90 and increasing until the end of may, the race had a cap. This was the 40th year of the race, and if you registered by the end of December you received a jacket. The race sold out at the end of December. Included with registration was a bib, chip timing, finisher’s shirt, finisher’s medal, post race beer and festivities.

Expo / Packet Pick-up: The expo was held at the Duluth Convention Center, with a ramp for parking at $5. There were hours on Thursday and on Friday before the race You could also have it mailed to you for $25. Someone else could grab your packet with a signed wavier. The packet pick up was in the back of the convention hall, once you had it, the chip on your bib was checked. The bib was in a clear bag that doubled for gear check, also had some paper flyers and a pair of socks. We also received a virtual bag via email. Packet pick up was open until 11pm Friday.

The expo included many of the same exhibitors you would see at most larger events. Shoes, head bands, apparel, nearby races. It was a decent size. The expo closed at 8pm.

Pasta party: For only $12 (tickets could be purchased ahead of time or at the gate) you could choose plain noodles, marinara sauce, meatballs, or gluten free noodles. Then you could have some lettuce, bread, ice cream, milk, or ice cream. Your could get seconds, the servings were generous. This closed at 9pm..

Pre-race: The race is point to point, participants need to take a shuttle bus or the train to the start. Area hotels partner with the race and have shuttle buses outside the door, or you can get on the bus near the finish area. To ride the train you need to be at the train station super early.

The starting point had a lot of port-o-potties. Bag drop was available, use the bag you got your packet in the night before, with a sticker provided. There were no pre-assigned corrals, but encouraged to line up by estimated finishing times. There was music and many announcements (like the temperature) over a PA. The National Anthem was performed live.

Race/ course: Starts in Two Harbors, MN and ends in Duluth, running along old Hwy 61, following Lake Superior. The half marathon starts at the halfway point 45 minutes before the full.

-FLAT! Elevation change is just under 200 feet - ok so there are some hills, but nothing crazy
-paved surface
-each mile was marked with a sign and a yellow balloon
-lots of hydration stops. Water and Powerade in separate paper cups, and at tables with signs.
-Ice, sponges, gels, oranges and bananas, jolly ranchers at mile 18
-Spectators! All access points to the course had people with signs, ready to slap high fives. The areas in town had bacon stops, donuts, beer (non supported food) Lots of energetic younger people.
-MarathonFoto on course, mostly near the end
-Port-o-potties on the course, lots of them at the halfway point
-Views of Lake Superior
-clocks on the course, timing splits for the online tracking
-Volunteers / law enforcement, they were at every intersection and very energetic.
-Road closed to traffic, entire width of road to run on. Open for 7 hours
-Medical stations manned by the military (not sure what level or branch, assuming National Guard.

Finish: This was marked with an arch and timing clock. The announcer was catching names as people finished. Each side was lined with spectators. Once you cross the finish line there was a volunteer with a medal and a bottle of water. Then you went to get your gender specific finisher’s shirt and a beverage ticket. From here you had to continue walking to get a heat sheet, then grab your gear bag. Then you could proceed to the finisher’s food: strawberries, yogurt, peanut butter, chocolate milk, apples, bananas, oranges, bagels, nut rolls, fig bars. There was a lot of food and things to hold.

Once through this area there was an alphabetized reunion area, or you could go to the beer tent to redeem your drink ticket. The beer tent area also had live music and a video set up to view finishers. There was a results tent, merchandise tent and coffee tent.

My Race: For 2016 I am trying to run a marathon a month, this was (originally) my June race (I ran 2 in June). I didn't have any goals but to finish. I knew I could do that, however the weather had temps increasing to 80 plus degrees by the time I finished, and minimal shade from mile 18 on. I took it slow, lots of walking and enjoying my race cocktail of blue powerade with ice, seriously nothing tastes better, add in a wet sponge and it's like winning the lottery!! I crossed the finish in 5:32, not a great time for me (last year sub 5) I also knew I didn't want to push it in the heat.

The course itself if one of my favorites, there are times you are alone, but when you need them the spectators show up, ready to give a high five. The views of the Lake are gorgeous and the air coming off of it is golden! The race organization is also top notch, one of the many reasons they've been going strong for 40 years.

Overall: This was the second year I ran the full, 3rd year at this event. I still love it, and have already made my hotel reservation for next year.

Link to this review