I'll start out by saying that this was my first time running this race, but since I live only a few hours from Milwaukee I heard about all the struggles from the last few years around this race. Under new management, the race was out to make things right with runners and bring a quality race.

Early registration was inexpensive and I ended up having quite a few friends that traveled down for the race, which always makes races more fun!

Packet pickup was at the Fiserv Forum, the new home for the Milwaukee Bucks. Since it was in the arena, everyone had to go through security to enter the building (Note: No backpacks, suitcases or large hard-sided bags allowed). We got downtown a little after 4pm, found parking at the nearby parking garage ($5 event parking) and walked the block over to the arena. There was a short line to get into the building but in the end, it only took us about 10 minutes to make it through. Packet pickup was a breeze! No lines at all! within 2 minutes after we were in the building, we had packets and shirts. Yes, SHIRTS - all runners received a tech finishers shirt and then half and full marathoners also received a 1/4 zip pullover with the race logo! One thing to note is that, unless you pay the extra for Race Day pick up, you MUST pick up your stuff on Friday night (or have someone else pick it up for you).

The expo, if you can call it that, was small. Only a few vendors (I think most were also race sponsors) and a few other races were represented with booths. We made it through everything in about 5 minutes. I am hoping that in future years, this will grow to be a bigger expo, as that is part of the fun of going to races is checking out the expo to find new stuff!

One of the fun things about being at the Forum for packet pick up is that we were able to check out the start/finish area so we could get everything figured out for morning. Gear check, volunteer check in as well as runner information were all at one end of the plaza and the start/finish on the opposite end, which gave a large area in between for runners to gather before and after the race. We also noticed 3 large banks of port-a-johns set up in various areas! 1 near gear check and 2 on the end near the start line. (the ones near the start line were a bit congested on race day, but the lines still moved fast)

Race day!! We made our way downtown and found parking in the same ramp as Friday night, just a block away from the finish line. (NOTE: parking on race day is $20) We were there early enough that we were able to park on the 1st level of the ramp - no stairs to get to the care after was a huge bonus! Having the entire area in front of the forum gave everyone plenty of room to hang out and mingle. The end closer to the start line was a bit congested, but that can often be expected.

One of the cool things about the start of this race is that the 5k actually started 30 minutes before the half and full. Was really kinda cool to watch the 5k runners finishing as we were getting ready to start.

The first mile or so of the race runs through the city and takes you out to Lakeshore Drive. It's a beautiful area to run, but unfortunately we ended up with a chilly overcast day, so the scenery along the lakeshore was a little more blah that usual, but since we can't control Mother Nature, it's not worth complaining about! LOL

I would have to say that the most challenging part of the course was the climb up the hill on Water Tower! It is one of those hills that you really can't see the top as you start climbing because there are several turns to get there! Once you get past there, it's smooth sailing!

The half and the full run together until you reach about mile 11.5 (on the campus of Marquette University). Here the full continues out further while those running the half head back towards the finish.

FINISH LINE! once you cross that finish line, there are the usual post race treats... bananas and water. but this year we also got packets of granola from Supernola! We were able to try this granola at the expo and getting a bag of it at the finish was a nice treat!

Then of course there is the medal! (this is why we all run right?) The medal this year was simple yet sleek. A nice addition to the collection!

We wandered around the finish line area for a bit while we waited for some friends to finish who were running the full and then headed out. As we were waiting, we were pleasantly surprised to already get emails that we had race photos available! YES! Less than an hour after finishing, we had pics! And not just race pics - pics that we could download for FREE! There was an option to purchase the hi-res versions too, and that was only $2.99 - very reasonable for race photos!!

All in all, I loved this race! I'd come back and run it again! And for those that ran it in years past - give them another try!