Best Damn Race is one of my favorites so I was so excited it came back to Jacksonville! I did the 10K last year but decided to go for the half this year. I'm registered for all the locations this year. I love that it's created by a runner and encompasses everything a runner could want in a race.

This race had a 5K, 10K, and 13.1. The course is very similar to the Marine Corps half in Jacksonville. It starts downtown and goes through Avondale and back. It was really foggy this year but really pretty.

I love the registration system for this race. The first entries $1, then they go up to $5, then $10, until you get to your "day of race registration" costs. So if you act fast you can save a ton. Plus there were coupon codes too. I used code RUNFAST and saved $5!

The expo was supposed to be outdoors but it was raining so packet pickup was a Jacksonville Running Company the 2 days before the race or at the race site in the morning. Everything was really organized and packet pickup went really smoothly.

This race offered free photos which was awesome. And they were available online the next day!

Aid stations were well-staffed with no bottlenecking and lots of cheering which was nice.

The medal was amazing. And it's HUGE.

Postrun had a sweet food spread with Dunkin' Donuts, free beer and Absolut vodka, Pollo Tropical, redbull, and the standard bananas/bagles.

Overall I loved it and can't wait to do it again and in other cities too! Seriously consider doing one of these races. You won't be disappointed. Best Damn Race really is the Best!!

Registration: Easy online registration. The price was reasonable at $30 per race or $80 for the series of 3. Includes a cotton T and wood medal.

Expo: Packet/shirt pickup at Jacksonville Running Company the day before the race. No hassles about picking up for other people.

Photos: Free on Facebook.

Course: Beautiful through the Nocatee preserve trail by Ponte Vedra High School. Part of the course we did on the mountain bike path so it was really challenging!

Aid stations: None (trail race)

Medal/swag: Loved the medal that was made out of wood. It was really unique! The t shirt was plain cotton but cute in its simplicity.

Food: Supposed to be an after party at Dick's Wings but it was cancelled and some people showed up without knowing about it being cancelled.

Parking: Plenty of parking but it was a little misleading where to go.

Overall it was pretty fun! It was small and unique. Hopefully communication will be better for the next one (especially if the post race party is cancelled).

Registration: Easy online registration. The price was reasonable at $25. There was also registration at packet pickup or day of race.

Expo: Packet/shirt pickup at Academy Sports the day before the race. No lines, no waiting. After the race there was a bunch of vendors set up which was nice.

Photos: Free online on Facebook and 904fitness.

Course: Pancake flat. They had to change the course this year because of the Gator Bowl game so it was 3 laps around a parking lot which got pretty boring. But there were plenty of volunteers cheering to make it fun.

Aid stations: 1 that we passed 3 times.

Medal/swag: Loved the medal! It lights up! Also the shirt was cotton but still cute.

Food: PDQ chicken and free mimosas!

Parking: Plenty of parking.

I love Ultimate Racing Inc. They are always so organized and put on the best races!

Registration: Easy online registration. The price was a little steep for a 5K but it included a ticket to the Jaguars vs. Colts game (nosebleed section).

Expo: Packet/shirt pickup at 1st Place Sports the day before the race. If you wanted to sit with friends you registered with for the game you either had to go together to pick up or 1 person picked up multiple packets. This created long lines at packet pickup.

Photos: Free by 904fitness but not very many.

Course: Pancake flat around the parking lots of the stadium at night then run through the stadium at the finish (but not on the field like what was pictured on the website).

Aid stations: 2 on course all with water. Seemed a little chaotic since only 2 or 3 teenagers at each one.

Medal/swag: Loved the medal! The shirt was cotton shirt but didn't have any sponsors on the back which was nice.

Food: It was advertised that "Jacksonville's finest craft breweries" would be there but in reality it was just a small Bud Light. Not cool.

Parking: Plenty of parking at the stadium.

Was this the best race? No. Will I do it again? Yes, because Go Jaguars.

Ultimate Racing, Inc never disappoints! I chose this race to do because the RD company, Ultimate Racing Inc. offers a bonus medal if you do 4 of their races in a calendar year. And since I'm all about the medals, I had to sign up for this one! I ended up doing the 5K instead of the 10K since it started raining and I didn't want to be in the rain too long.

The course wasn't bad at all. It was flat through the main road of World Golf Village. It ran along the golf course which was pretty. It did get a little boring though.

Post-race there was water, donuts from Dunkin, Smoothie King, GINGERBREAD COOKIES, Mimosas, Publix subs, and granola. I ate so much!. The vendors in the post race area were cool. Orange Theory Fitness was there with foam rollers and coupons for their gym and there were other tents set up with giveaways.

Parking was fine. I got there 15 minutes before the race started and got a good spot.

It was a small race so I placed in my age group which is always fun. The award was a certificate. Bummed there weren't gift certificates to Jacksonville Running Company like they usually have.

The medals were really cute but they didn't say 5K or 10K on them (there were 2 distances) or the date. HUGE for a 5K.

Overall I really liked it and will do it again!