The race started off with an interesting twist... the singer for the National Anthem was sick and was not available. So the management offered a free entry to next years race for anyone that would sing on the spot. The guy that stepped up was supported by the rest of the runners standing there. Very cool. NO race should begin without the National Anthem.

Parking was AWESOME. I arrived about 75 minutes before the race start--about what I would normally do--and there was parking ALL OVER! The city decided not to ticket anyone that was legally parked until after noon. Parking was absolutely NOT a concern. Even for friends that came later to see the finish, there was sufficient and available parking. More than 5 STARS on this point.

The race was pretty flat as advertised with just a few rolling hills at the beginning and end (out and back course). I enjoyed the first 3.5 miles through a nice little neighborhood. BEAUTIFUL homes. At 3.5miles we came to a nice trail and wooden bridge trail. Very nice. Be sure to keep your head up so you don't miss the fast guys that are already hauling butt back from the turn around (unless you ARE the fast guys...then be aware that most of the slower runners are NOT looking up for your quick return). No traffic jams or runner collisions though.
TONS of aid stations and friendly people volunteering. Several points along the way had random families/friends set up "tailgating" and cheering everyone on that ran by. Very nice.

Cool T-shirt and pretty awesome medal. The finishers medal features an iconic drawbridge from Charlevoix and the bridge pieces even move up and down. Hopefully they do a similarly cool medal next year.

ABSOLUTELY everyone should do this race. I ran with a friend that had run it several times and convinced me to make the trip (it wasn't a hard sell...Charlevoix is amazing on its own). There is a reason she keeps returning to run this race. DO IT!