Usually I don't like to keep writing reviews I have run multiple times, especially when I am the only one to write a review. However, this year's race experience felt a little different, so I decided to chime in with my thoughts.

The 2017 race took place on Saturday, Aug 5. It started at 8 am and was sunny and a nice 55-60 degrees. The race is traditionally the first Saturday in August and coincides with the Hometown Days celebration. It is a fundraiser for the Girls High School Track program.

Registration: There was online registration available, or you could register on race day. I did not see any forms around to print and submit by mail. Price increased up to race day of $30. Which did not guarantee a short sleeve, cotton, unisex, t-shirt. There was no chip timing, just a bib.
*I noted the online registration price and decided to forgo the fees and register on race day. It was easy, but I only paid $25. I even said that online registration was $30 and they didn't see it as a big deal. I snagged a t-shirt too.

Pre-race: There was no expo and packet pick up was the same day as the race. There were port-o-potties stationed around town as part of the weekend festivities. Parking was first come, first serve, wherever you could find it, as many roads were closed also for the weekend festivities including the parade, but you might have had to walk a block.Once runners were at the start line the mayor said "Go." People were still walking to the start line, but the race started promptly at 8am.
*The person the race is named after was not at the start this year.

Course: The course is run on the city streets of West Branch.

-Elevation: HILLS! There are some long hills in town, they are on the course.
-Terrain: pavement, some spots had to watch out for cracks or holes
-Aid Stations: If I recall there was one water stop at the half way point. I didn't stop
-Volunteers: There was someone stationed at each intersection, either a girls track member or a law enforcement official. There seemed to be a HUGE police presence, making the course easy to navigate as there are a lot of turns. However, the girls track members were sitting on the curb, looking bored. At one turn a car stopped to chit chat with an officer, blocking the intersection.
-Course: Some roads were open to traffic, had to be aware. The pavement had arrows marking the direction of the race. I do not recall mile markers.
-no photographers
-Spectators: mostly townspeople sitting in their driveways
- Overall time clock at the finish.

Finish: this was marked with some volunteers and track hurdles. There was a line painted on the street. The clock also displayed the overall time. a Volunteer took the tag off the bottom of the bib for placement.

Post Race: Tables set up with bananas, bagels and donuts. Coolers with bottled water. This area seemed out of the way from other post race announcements, which were on the other side of the street.

Awards were announced once everyone finished. Overall winners followed by age group winners. Now this is a smaller race so age groups were larger. The first 2 who placed were to be given awards. The overall winners were also announced as the winners of their age groups. When it came to my age group 25-49, the first place person got to choose from a selection of gift cards as they ran out of medals. I shockingly placed 2nd, I did not get to choose from the gift cards, even after I was asked if I lived around there. Then I was told they thought they had a medal for me.They finished announcing the other AG winners. I went across the street to get the medal they had for me, it was a random previous year's medal for 3rd place, and I was given another ribbon to change it out. I said, oh it's not a big deal I really don't need this. I did earn it, but this is ridiculous.

Overall: I try to do this race, it's in my hometown, I don't mind supporting the track program. However, if things don't improve... like doing what is published online, or actually caring... the race will not survive. I really feel they "mailed it in" this year. The race basics were great - actual 5k distance and a safe course, but there are other options to spend my money on too.

My race: Being familiar with the event, I went in preparing to race the event. I did a mile warm up before too. I knew where all the hills were, and the weather was great. I ended up with 27:25 as my overall time, which isn't a PR, but puts my pace at sub 9 minute miles and I am very happy about that.