There was a lot about this race that I liked, starting with the pre-race pasta dinner with speakers Jeff Galloway and others and the pre-race class on running you could sign up for (but I didn't). The race start and finish area was easy to get to, and I could in fact walk right out my hotel door to the start. Here's where some may disagree with me but I didn't find the course all that scenic. It was largely along a greenway, with only minor water views. I heard the marathon had more water views than the half. I have beautiful greenways to run on where I live so maybe I am spoiled but I expected more from a race in Alaska.
The race medal and matching shirt were the most colorful and artistic I've gotten at a race. They were northern lights-themed and the medal was iridescent purple, green, and blue.
Post-race food was a good spread and the hotel that provided hot showers at the finish area was a huge bonus for me since I had to check out of my hotel during the time I was running the race and driving to Denali straight after the race.