I was a pacer for this race and had a good time doing it. It's a smaller race but it's well done and I definitely recommend giving it a shot. Here are the details!

Expo - There's a small outdoor expo, 3-4 vendors, along with packet pick-up. There is no race day pick-up and you have the option of grabbing your things Friday or Saturday. The line was long Saturday afternoon when I arrived but it moved quickly. The bonus is that it happens in a bar so you can grab that pre-race cocktail you wanted. You're given a gender specific tech-t and Tervis brand tumbler with the race logo on it, very nice.

Overnight - There are tons of hotels to choose from in Dewey, Rehoboth and Bethany. Shuttle service runs from one central location on race morning but there's tons of parking if you feel up for an early morning drive.

Parking - There is tons of parking in two huge lots at the Start. The finish area has much more limited parking and is about 3/4 mile away from the start area. A shuttle runs constantly all day after the races
from the finish back to the parking which is super nice. Be aware that drop-offs are not allowed at the start parking area and those who wish to be dropped off must take the hotel shuttle down. You also need to be in there early. With three different start times, 7am for the marathon, 7:30 for the half, and 8am for the 9k, 9k runners might pull in and nap.

Start - The corrals line up in the road that leads to those parking lots mentioned above so it's clear why you need to be in there by 6:45. There's available water, a long row of Port-a-Potties with decent but moving lines and an easy gear check. The national anthem was played before the marathon start but not again for the other two races. We went off about 5 minutes late and I never found out why (cars on the course, probably).

Course - Flat! This is a great flat course if you're not bothered by the potential for wind. After exiting the starting corrals you turn north onto the basically out-and-back course into a steady headwind. That wind stuck with us as we traveled north onto the wooden boardwalk then back onto the road through several soft turns. The first water stop didn't come to Mile 3 and I wish they had been more often. After one at Mile 4 there wasn't anything until just after Mile 8. Things got a little tight running up the narrow boardwalk but coming back south there was more room to run. Most of the road portion of the race is run on the right side with cones protecting you from traffic. It's hard to take tangents on this course. At Mile 5 you hit a soft gravel trail that includes the out-and-back u-turn and 10k timing mat. The trail is very level and clean but the two way traffic makes it kind of tight, again limiting the tangents. After about 3 miles on the trail, you're back on sunny, flat roads for the remainder of the race. It was nice to have the second half tailwind.

Course Support - It's quiet out there. The season has yet to begin this time of year and it was a chilly morning. The marathon course must be very lonely! The smaller size of the race does provide more room to run and very little traffic once you're off the narrow trail. Water stops are well outfitted with water and Gatorade but I never saw the GU at Mile 8.5 the website mentioned. The water stop at Mile almost 7 was only on the course map and made for a long gap between thirst quenchers from 5 to 8.5. Port-a-Potties were found at each water stop.

Finish - The finish line is where you'll find the most cheering. After crossing the line, I got a nice stained glass medal, a bottled water and a granola bar. It's once you're through the chute the real fun begins. Your number comes with three drinks tickets that can used for big mimosas or beer. I didn't stay and hang out at the post-race party but there seemed to be plenty of food and booze for all. There was music on the beach and another line of Port-a-Potties. After you've indulged, grab the shuttle back to your parked car and you're on your way.

A flat course with great medals and gifts, the Coastal Delaware Half Marathon is definitely worth checking out if you don't need someone cheering you every step of the way.