I can't say anything about packet pick-up, because my sister picked ours up. I know it was a pain because she had to go all the way out to Quantico to get them. That being said, they did allow you to pick up others' bibs, so that made it a little better.

The race was in Prince William Forrest Park and was a point to point, so there were shuttles both from the parking lot to the start as well as from the finish back to the parking lots.

The race was small is very small for a road race (~2500 participants) and the main perk of the race was early registration for the Marine Corps Marathon in October. In 2013, the race sold out in about 2 hours - in 2014, now that they have started the lottery system for MCM, the race sold out in 9 minutes. But the best perk of this race is it's price point, which is less than $60.

We spent the first 2-3 miles running along the side of a road, which I wasn't a huge fan of. The road was still open to traffic and we were on a shoulder and the side walk. They have changed this for the 2014 race, which runs almost entirely within the park itself. Around mile 3, the course turned onto a gravel road and hit a steep decline and at mile 3.5 you get to the first hill. It starts out steep from miles 4-4.5(ish) and then tapers out to a gradual climb until about mile 6. The hill plateaus a bit before heading into a STEEP downhill at mile 7.5. Someone next to me going down the hill joked “what goes down, must come up” and sure thing, at the bottom of the hill was a STEEP uphill this time. Once you go to what you thought was the top of the hill (it leveled out), you turned a corner and realized you were not done and the hill continued. After that it was some more steep downhills, another short uphill/downhill and then it was an uphill finish. I firmly believe that uphill finishes are mean, but it was after all a Marine Corps race. Fair enough.

There was a total of about 850 elevation gain for the entire course, which isn’t HUGE but the hills that were there were so sharply up and down that they definitely wore on your legs by the end!

When you get to the finish line, there’s no water, no medals, and no capes to keep you warm (at least when I crossed..other people ended up having them but I’m not sure how/where…). You have to walk about a quarter of a mile (and up another small hill, ha) to where the finish line festival is. First you walk through the water/food line – and there were lots of tasty treats, including a fruit and nut mix that I chowed down on – then you can go get your access pass for the MCM. I headed there first since there wasn’t a line. Then I hit up a foam roller station! This has got to be the BEST idea post-race EVER!! There were about 12 foam rollers set up on mats for everyone to use.

After that, we waited in the bus line for a few minutes, and then took the 10 or so minute bus ride back to our cars.

I LOVED this race!! Seriously. I would run it every year (I'm in it for 2014!) even if I didn't want a MCM entry - it's a good race all on it's own. The course was beautiful and the support staff were incredible. I also found that the runners on the course were all incredibly friendly and supportive of one another. There were signs all throughout the course and instead of the usual “you can do it” motivation phrases, they were filled with things I feel like a drill sergeant would yell at you like “Is that all you’ve got”… “You’re NOT even close yet!”…and “Move it, twinkle toes!”

There were service men and women, as well as forest rangers, spread out throughout the course just there to cheer us on in between aid stations. Some of them had music playing (my personal favorite was when they starting blaring “I Feel Good” and I did indeed do a little boogie as I passed), others gave you high fives, but all of them were cheering us on and had huge smiles on their faces. I also noticed in this race more than any other I’ve been in, that the runners were all saying such nice “Thank you’s” to all of the support staff (both for their military service as well as for their help out on the course). I just thought it was a really feel-good race overall!! Even the hills couldn’t damper my spirit!

The one downside of this race that might deter people (who for whatever reason aren't already convinced by the guaranteed entry to MCM), is that there is little to no crowd support other than the volunteers along the course. I'm used to small races, so it didn't both me, but for people who are used to R&R races or the MCM, it's definitely got a different vibe.

You can read my full race report with more details here: http://www.mtnsandmiles.com/2013/03/race-report-marine-corps-17-75k/

Link to this review