Race background: This was the first year for the race. The race was organized by the newly formed Regina Running Club. The school had participated in the Girls on the Run, but the boys wanted in on the fun. The school organized a group for everyone.

Registration / Packet Pick Up / Pre-Race: Registration was available online for $25 and included a cotton race shirt and optional dye at the finish, you could also sign up on race day. Packets or bibs in this case could be picked up prior to the race on race day. Plenty of parking available in the school parking lot. No port-o-potties, but the school was open. A few announcements were made about the course to the running group. We lined up on the street and someone said “go.”

Race: The race started on the paved street, then quickly followed the paved sidewalk. All surfaces were void of major cracks. Out and back course with a couple of steep hills. Water at the half way, turn around point. Volunteers at every intersection and turn. Volunteers were also the mile markers. Most of the spectators, or parents were stationed near the finish line. The course was marked with colored chalk arrows, one color on the way out and a different on the way back. The finish transferred to the grass, and if you wanted “color” was squirted as you approached the finish line. (you had to make it clear you didn't want to be sprayed with color) There was no visible clock, just a volunteer with a watch.

Overall: Great race for the kids, challenging course. For a first year race it went pretty smooth.

Personal: I had 7 miles on tap for the day, this was my first race of the day. I ran with Laura, or rather she kicked my butt again. I felt good, but guilty as I passed all the kids. My Garmin had a time that was a lot faster than the official results, garmin of 25:40. I received and email with the results and a message that stated “Some times might be slightly off for those who attempted to avoid the color by avoiding the finish shoot.” Yes I avoided the color, but I didn’t walk around another 100 yards for my 26:37, strange, but it was a small race. I did place 3rd overall as a female. Not sure I would run this again, I am not a fan of color runs and I don’t think it’s fair to the kids.

Registration: You could register online through Eventbrite, Cost was only $6 without a t-shirt and $21 with. Chip timing was included. Late registration w/o a shirt was only $10, which you could do minutes before the start of the race.

Packet pick up: There was a pick up the Friday before the race, and others could grab your stuff for you. Held in the commons of the High School. You could also grab your bib the morning before the race. No expo, just pick up & registration.

Pre-Race: Plenty of parking, as the race started/finished at a high school. School was open for use of the bathrooms, otherwise there were no port-o-potties. There were also drinking fountains.

Race / Course: Just before the race started, there was one wheel chair entry that started before the masses. Then a few announcements about the course were made, and we were off after a gun start. The course snaked through school property on all kinds of terrain, pavement, asphalt, trail. There were no course arrows or signs telling you which way to go, just follow the crowd. There were only volunteers or law enforcement officials at the intersections with the main roads. There was a water stop at the half way point, with paper cups. No mile markers. Flat course, an incline here or there, but no major hills. The finish had a banner, clock and the timing mat. Small chute and a volunteer removed the timing chip.

Post Race: There were bottles of water, energy drinks, oranges, apples, granola bars, and bagels with cream cheese inside the school commons. There was a kids race after all 5k participants were in. Awards were given out.

Overall: Great price, but very low key as far as race organization.

Registration was available online or you could print a form. Included with the fee of $25 ish, was chip timing, colorful bib, post race goodies, tech shirt, and shot glass.

Packet pick up was held the evening before, and someone else could grab it for you. There was also a pick up the morning before the race.

Pre-race: The was plenty of parking in a lot across the street from the restaurant sponsoring the race. Port-o-potties scattered around the start/finish.

Course: Snaked through a residential neighborhood on paved streets. There were no major pot holes or cracks to watch out for. There were a few hills, nothing too steep. Each mile was marked. A water stop with paper cups at the half way point. Course had law enforcement at the major intersections, however some other intersections had no volunteers or arrows on the street directing you the way to go. The start/finish was marked with an arc and a clock. My garmin had the course short, but maybe we missed a turn?

Post race: All day party held at Ganzo's restaurant. Tent had been set up for the festivities. Each participant receives 2 beers or tequila shot and a bowl of nachos. Awards for overall (tv's) and age groups also award for best costume. Party continued all day.

Overall: It was a good race to kick off Cinco de Mayo. The course had enough hill for a challenge, but enough post race festivities to have fun.

Registration: This was available online or you could fill out a form to send in. Rates started at $40 and increased to $50 on race day. This race is also part of "Iowa's Longest Marathon" in which you could also register for the Run for the Schools half in October. Included with your fee was a short sleeve tech tee, chip time, coupons, flyers & chapstick.

Packet Pick up: Many chances to get your things with 3 different pick ups. One Friday at the RMH, one Saturday at the mall, and one before the race. Someone else could pick up your packet. No expo, just a pick up. Organizers always kept participants informed through emails.

Pre-Race: Parking was available near the start / finish in adjacent lots around Carver Hawkeye Arena. CHA was where race day registration & packet pick up were taking place, but it also meant the bathrooms were open, access to the drinking fountains. and keeping warm.

Race / Course: There were 3 races, a half, 5k, and kids run. Each had a different start. The start of the half was at 8 am, and after we all lined up in the finishing shoot, someone said go and the race was underway. The course was on paved streets & sidewalks, no major cracks or pot holes. There were a lot of hills, nothing steep or long, just a lot of hills. There were law enforcement officials at the busy intersections, and volunteers at most other intersections or turns. There were also arrow signs stuck in the ground. Each mile was marked. Various hydration stops with blue Powerade and water in paper cups, some stops used different cups for different liquids, usually volunteers shouted what they had. No food stops on the course, unless you knew a friend. Spectators were few and far between. There was a halfway timing mat. There were port-o-potties on the course. There were photographers on the course, but at my pace I did not see any of them, except at the start. No course entertainment. The finish was also the start, marked with an arch and the clock. There were two chutes as the 5k was ran during the half.

Post Race: After a medal was placed around your neck, there were plenty of food choices. Bananas, apples, oranges, granola bars, fruit snacks, bagels, chocolate milk, orange juice, apple juice & water. A time print out station was set up to get your finishing time. A special presentation with a great family was made about how the Ronald McDonald house helps families, then awards for overall and age group winners were handed out.

Overall: I will always try to run this race because there are not a lot of longer distance races in my town. I also like supporting the Ronald McDonald House. The course is also a nice challenge, would be nice to have more spectators.

Registration: Participants could register through getmeregistered.com or by submitting a form through the mail. Registration was open until the start of the race. Race distances included 10k, 5k, 1 mile, & kids fun run. Costs from $20-$30, price increased closer to race day. Early registrants received a t-shirt & entry into a random prize drawing. Everyone received a swag bag with flyers, coozies, etc

Packet Pick up: Held at the elementary school Friday evening before race, or race day. No expo.

Pre-Race: Parking available near elementary school, but come early as the street is blocked off. Other parking available a block away on street at Public Library. Timing chips were distributed race morning. The school was open for bathrooms or the drinking fountain. Announcements were made and a school kid sang the National Anthem.

Race: The 5k & 10K started at an inflatable arch and went south from the school to the Hoover Park on the city streets. Once in the park a portion of the course was on a small gravel walkway. We looped the park and headed north back on the gravel & city streets to catch the Nature Trail. The section of trail within the city limits is a chip & seal surface, the 10k went out further on an actual trail surface, some crushed lime stone & dirt. There were 2 water stops for the 10k, in styrofoam cups. Once the out & back of the trail section was completed, there were 2 steep hills and the finish. All portions of city streets did not have any major hazards, but always a good idea to check for cracks or a change in the pavement. Each mile was marked. The local police were at the major intersections and many volunteers at other crossings. The finish was on the downhill and marked with the inflatable arch and the timing clock. A volunteer clipped the chip off your shoe.

Post Race: Lots of baked goods, cookies, bars, muffins, bananas, oranges, chocolate milk, yogurt tubes, & water. The one mile race was at 10:30 and the fun run at 11. Awards were announced afterwards. Herky made an appearance and encouraged mile & fun run participants. There was a gymnast station set up and Bondi Bands were for sale.

Overall: Great family orientated race. A distance for everyone. The 2 hills near the finish make the course.