Registration: Available online, starting at $25 and increasing to $30 the day before the race. There was race day registration for $35. If you registered by a certain date, you got a pint glass with the race logo. Also included was chip timing. For an extra $5 you could purchase the post race brunch.

Expo / Packet pick up: There was no expo. Packet pick up was held an hour and a half before the race start. Easy system of telling them your name, grab a bib and the chip for your shoe. No ID required, and you could pick up someone else's stuff. *The club has a VIP membership option which includes a separate VIP packet pickup.

Pre-race: There was plenty of on street parking for free, but had to make sure you didn't park on the race course, they would tow your car. There were 4 port-o-potties set up. There was a table set up to learn about the club's membership or buy apparel. There was a table set up for a new running store. Close to race starting time participants were encouraged to head to the start line. After some announcements, it was time to go. No National Anthem.

Race/Course:
-Terrain: All on paved surfaces, variety of old brick roads, asphalt and cement. This time of year in Iowa, potholes are a given, so be on alert. The course is all on city streets.
-Elevation: While the elevation isn't super tough, the course is 2 loops of 3.17k, each loop ends with a pretty decent uphill, making the short course a good challenge.
-Course Markings: The course was open to traffic, and there were lots of cones that sectioned off the course from cars. There were no mile markers.
-Photography: One official race photographer and volunteers taking photos.
-Spectators: None, but the volunteers at the intersections were very cheerful.
-Volunteers: There were people at all busy intersections, and police were at the ones with heavy traffic.
-Aid Stations: There was a water stop at the finish line. In a race of this distance with the weather, not sure water on course is necessary. However if you did the double loop, you could grab a cup of water at the finish.

Finish: The start and finish were the same, so it was easy to spot. A volunteer took the chip from your shoe. There was a cup of water and bananas available after the race.

Post Race: The more traditional post race party was held at a bar in the downtown. It was maybe a 5 block walk, and if you drove and you would have to pay to park at a metered spot. The bar is Irish themed. They had an Irish stew that was the $5 brunch special. Awards were given out, overall winners and the first place AG winner received prizes.

Overall: This is the only race the club offers in my town. I try to always participate at some level. This year I volunteered and ran. It's also a unique distance. The price is also comparable to a 5k.

My race: I hadn't raced in about a month. I volunteered with pre-race activities, so I had been outside for a couple hours before it started and I was cold. I had a good first loop, but by the second loop I had slowed down and just enjoyed the run. I also took to taking photos the second loop. I finished with a time of 38:10.

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