The 2016 full and ultras were marred by what ultimately came down to, IMO, poor management. High winds were predicted on race day for several days in advance. So there was plenty of time to determine if the race could be safely held. With average wind speeds predicted from 27-43 mph, I think it should have been cancelled. Sporadic announcements were made before the race via Facebook, and two stated times for announcements came and went without any word; the final decision was to start the race an hour later than originally planned. This would let thunderstorms pass, leaving only the wind.

Sure enough, I was at mile 5.25 when word started spreading in the field that the police in one section of the course had cancelled the longer races due to flooding. Again, I think this was entirely foreseeable given the long-expected high winds. All 26.2 and ultra races were shortened to a half. I would have been fine with this if it had been announced before the start, but it was infuriating to find it out during the race.

Confusion abounded at the finish line. Someone handed me a medal for the full marathon, which was unearned. Oh well.

It should be noted that course volunteers did an outstanding job under extremely difficult circumstances. I can't imagine what it must have been like to wrangle paper cups with the high winds.

Even on a day with perfect weather, I wouldn't run this race again. Communication is poor, and the overall organization is insufficient--parking was a scrum, even though I arrived an hour before the start time, and there should have been more porta-potties). Avoid.