Pre-Race: The race website includes all important aspects of the race - the course map (although with no elevation), parking locations, and most details. Those that follow the race on Facebook and those that register in advance (you HAVE to, the race sells out) are provided packet pickup instructions in the Facebook event and via email. They are active on Facebook and mostly active on Twitter (and maybe Instagram too, I don't use Instagram). Packet pickup is available on the Friday before the race near Downtown Cincinnati during lunch (11a - 1p) and early evening (4p - 7p), and arrangements can be made to pick up packets for other runners with a copy of their ID.

Race Day: parking is only available off-site, and shuttle busses are provided from at least two lots. Since the early-March weather in Cincinnati is a crap shoot, Bockfest Hall is open for runners to hang out (and packet pickup is available in Bockfest Hall), and it is very close to the start/finish line. Bag check is available very close to the start/finish line as well. Port-o-lets are available, however, there was nowhere near a sufficient number of them, as the line at 25 minutes before race start was extremely long. Starting ceremonies included recognition of "Brew Hogs" (runners that have run all three Beer Series races for all of the five years of the series' existence), presentation of the flag and the national anthem.

The Race: a 5k loop starting and ending in the Over-The-Rhine neighborhood. The race course is entirely closed to traffic and monitored by police at most intersections. The course begins with a substantial hill, then a loooooong downhill before making a loop and proceeding at a slight uphill back to the start line. One official aid station is provided just prior to the 2 mile mark. Several bands and musicians provide entertainment along the course. The race is chip-timed with disposable chips on the race bib. Upon finishing, a nice medal (that doubles as a bottle opener), water, bananas, and space blankets are provided (and at this point, there are shorter lines to the port-o-lets too!). Outside of Over-The-Rhine, the scenery is limited to Jack Casino, several parking lots, and the Hamilton County Justice Center (jail)... so the best thing to do is PR so you can get to beer faster!

Post Race: the race bib includes two free beers and one cheese coney. Beer selection is very good with several Bock beers on tap, a pilsner, and many others, and cans of an American Lager and American Light Lager (Hudepohl Pure Lager and Hudy Delight) are available as well. The band, Just Add Beer covers many popular rock songs, and some food (pretzels, waffles, cookies, possibly more) is available for purchase at reasonable prices. Times are available fairly quickly and are usually accurate (although my official time was ~10 sec. slower than my watch this year, which is odd since normally my watch is 1-2 sec longer than the official time).

Overall: I've run this race every year it's existed, and probably will again next year. The lack of scenery doesn't bother me (it's a 5k!) and there are very few hiccups or issues over this and the last 5 years of Beer Series races.

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