This was the first year of the Best Damn Race Cape Coral, and I surely hope to run it again next year. The pros:
- Well-stocked and enthusiastic aid stations (water and Nuun at all, with 1 that had Gu too).
- Walker-friendly, with a 6:30 cutoff.
- Responsive and accommodating race management (I changed from the full to the half 2 days before the race... without a change fee.)
- Great finish festival with plenty of food and beer, plus free massages!
- As flat a course as you'll ever find. Two tiny hills (a total of about 12') on each segment, and that's IT. Nice neighborhoods to run though, too.
- Semi-corralled start, with flags indicating projected pace (5:30 to 13:00+, as well as walker/stroller), so people could line up realistically and not have to dodge slower runners in the front.
- Pace groups! 14 pace groups! Everything from 3:30 marathon to 3:00 half!
- Medals for all finishers, from the 5k to the marathon.

The cons:
- Parking was difficult; Cape Harbor is oddly laid out for parking. Perhaps, next year, have some volunteers directing cars to parking spots?
- No differentiation between the full and the half medal.
- Though there were a fair number of portajohns at the start, there could have been more; there were people in line for the portas while the National Anthem was playing.

Overall, though, the cons were very minor, while the pros are huge. I'd do this race again in a heartbeat.