Ok, so if you did the Plano Balloon Fest half marathon 2016 you're probably thinking "RAIN!"
Thankfully the race had an early start (7:00am) because it was clear skies the whole run for me - it started raining a few minutes after I finished. I still managed to get the Runner's Breakfast, though ;) the ONLY downside (which was uncontrollable) was that it started POURING rain on anybody that took 2 or more hours to run as well as anybody who was finished and trying to check out the vendors. I personally didn't let this effect my overall opinion of this run, though. Though it did affect the experience, it is something that just can't be helped.
So, leaving mother nature out of it - I would definitely do this run again and overall thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought it was extremely well organized. I arrived very early (recommended in the reminder email) and got an AWESOME parking spot. If you get there early, the runners basically get VIP parking. This is a HUGE bonus for me because I get lost. I can never find my car or the start line. I parked and the start line was practically right there. YES!
There were PLENTY of port-a-potties (clean ones!) and hand sanitizer stations outside of them (bonus!). I had time to use the restroom a few times for we took off.
It was clear where to go for the start of the race and they did have pacers ranging from 1:40 to 3:40, which was nice. There wasn't any crowding or traffic jams on the course. There were a lot of people running, but it was spread out and again the pace groups helped avoid congestion.
The views were great! Some of the course was going through beautiful Plano neighborhoods (some with horses in the front yard) and some of it was on a path going through parks. I enjoyed the scenery and the wide paths (less crowding).
As for after the race, it was great (minus the rain) - nice bag check and lots of good vendors - chocolate milk, snacks, and best of all Central Market provided an actual HOT breakfast! Eggs, bacon, has browns, cinnamon rolls, and yogurt and bananas. It was nice.
Overall I would recommend this race and hope to do it again!