I know you are probably thinking that this review of C & O Canal 100 will be amazing only because it was my first 100 mile finish and that everyone LOVES their first 100 finish and always treasures that race. And while that is totally true, that is not the only reason this race is so wonderful. This race is managed so well by RD Lance. He has everything covered to make sure runners are safe and have whatever they need. The aid stations were beyond amazing. They were so well stocked with all the typical ultra foods plus way more. They had tons of hot food, Tailwind on tap, you name it, you could probably find it. The volunteers were among the best I've ever encountered. They were taking the pack off me as I entered, emptying my trash, restocking my gels and chomps because they already had my drop bag in hand, offering to lube me up, telling the other crews to cheer me on. Just so uplifting every singe time I got into a station. My husband was part of my crew and one of my pacers. He said they even had batteries and he saw a volunteer give a runner who was cold the sweatshirt off his back. When I finished, another runner was totally hypothermic from running through the rain through the night and they all went right to work to take care of him.

The course itself is 99% flat and on the towpath. This is great for newbies like me but it can be super challenging as well since there are no climbs to break up the running. My quads literally just gave out after about 65-70 miles of running because I didn't take any walk breaks. There is part when you leave the start/finish area where it is actually very steep and somewhat technical with a tricky stream crossing. It's only about .5 mile if that but it's challenging especially because you have to climb up it at mile 59 and again mile 99, not easy when you have been on flat for so many miles.

The buckle obviously is awesome but there was also the option for a Patagonia jacket which is AMAZING!

It's just such a great race. I literally cannot say enough wonderful things about it! I definitely would not hesitate to run it again or recommend it to anyone looking for a good hundo.

to see more pictures and details of my personal race, go here: http://runningmarathonmom.blogspot.com/2016/05/c-o-canal-100.html