Pre-Race:
Registration started out with early bird pricing of $50, and went up to $60 for race-day registration. There were also tickets available just for the Brew Fest, or for designated drivers. Parking/traffic were a bit tough, but if you got there early enough you wouldn't have an issue. Even though we didn't get into the parking area until 15 minutes before the start, we ended up parking pretty close to the registration tent.

Registration was a bit of a cluster. There were 6 "lines" for different bib number ranges crammed into a really small area, so it just became one big, disorganized clump. You also had to find your bib number on a sheet of paper on a table on the opposite side BEFORE you could get in line, which was a little confusing. I wish they had emailed our bib numbers in advance, because I think that would have helped eliminate confusion and congestion.

There were plenty of port-a-potties, which was nice, but the confusion at the registration tent caused a lot of people (myself included) not to get to the start line on time. By the time I got to the start area, the crowd had already started moving, so I missed any pre-race announcements or pump up stuff they may have done.

Race:
The noon start time was rough due to the temperature--it was in the 80's and very humid. I understand they needed the later start because of the Brew Fest, it was just tough. The course itself is pretty nice--a few rolling hills on roads and a bike path around Stowe, VT. We even ran by some cows who were mooing as we ran by, and a family set up an unofficial "beer station" in their front yard, complete with fun signs leading up to it.

There was one official water station at about the halfway point, but it was set where the route turned from the road onto a narrow bike path, and in my opinion, the table wasn't big enough/there weren't enough volunteers, because when I ran by, there was a line of runners stopped and waiting in line for water. Running on the bike path was difficult at times because it was narrow, so passing people was tough if people were running more than 2 abreast, and I definitely got stuck a couple of times.

Post-Race:
There were volunteers right at the finish line handing out bottles of water and medals. I had one volunteer totally ignore me and turn away from me when I tried to get my water and medal, but another volunteer swooped in immediately to help me out. The medals are really nice--they're bottle openers, and the ribbons have the location and date on them.

The post-race brew fest was VERY nice. Most of the breweries were under a large tent, which offered a refuge from the sun. There were several food trucks around so that runners could get food, and there were about 40 breweries in attendance, most of which were local Vermont breweries. There was also a cornhole pitch set up in the middle of the field, and some Adirondack chairs scattered around.

Results were posted on the side of a truck shortly after the finish, and they were also emailed out to runners within a few hours. I have no idea if they did any kind of awards; I was too busy sampling beer. In addition to the medal, all runners received a Craft Brew Races pint glass.

Overall:
Despite the registration table issues and late start, I really enjoyed this race. I would just recommend getting there early enough to park and get through registration in time, and remember that a later start equals a hotter race.