PROS
- I liked the shirts more than I have in the past. Simple design and men's and women's sizing.
- Packet pick-up was at Fleet Feet so you could grab any last minute gear/nutrition you needed for race day.
- Shuttle to/from downtown and the race start. I didn't utilize this option but I'm sure it was helpful since the L doesn't go near the race start.
- Lots of porta potties = very minimal waiting, if any.
- Flat course (except for one small hill during mile 10) that was clearly marked, including many uneven surfaces and potholes.
- Views of the lake and a couple of the city helped occupy my mind.
- I think I remember seeing Clif gels on the course. I always bring my own nutrition so I don't remember if this is normal for a half. Either way, it's a nice feature if you forgot yours or don't like carrying stuff during the race.
- Great vendors with freebies in the post race area - stretching and protein drinks/milk. And the pizza and beer.... For those that can handle that in the morning.

CONS
- $25 fee to pick-up your packet on race day. I picked mine up in advance but regardless, this seems a bit steep.
- Definitely no pace teams for 1:35 and I don't think they had one for 1:40 either. But they had a 1:30 and 1:45. This might have been due to a lack of people estimating their finishing time in these time slots.
- Hairpin turnaround (literally 180 degree turn) during mile 8 that interrupted my rhythm.
- No relief from the sun! Minimal shade very early in the race but that's it.
- Mile markers might have been off. Handful of people (myself included) said their GPS watches calculated splits much earlier than the posted signs starting with mile 1, and the total distance was significantly more than 13.1. My Garmin read 13.3 when I finished and I did not do any weaving in and out of people.

This was my 4th time running this race (2009, 2010, 2011 and 2014). My half PR was set on this course in 2010. This race was warm (but not brutal) thus good way of easing into summer racing.

Overall, this is a great race and I recommend it!!