Having not been to death valley before I didn't know what to expect especially with regard to race conditions. I'd read a few blogs about the race, and the consesus was that while it's advertised as a flat, ideal race temp course, that, for whatever reasons, people still struggle.

We stayed in Beatty, NV at the Atomic Inn. I would not recommend based on some unfortunate cleanliness issues that I would have been more forgiving of were the room $40 and not $75. It's about 50 miles from the start but a beautiful, easy drive. We left at 6:30 and were arrived by 7:15.

Bib pick up is day of only and was open 6:45 to 7:45 for an 8am marathon start time. The half marathon and 10k started between ten and thirty minutes later.

No one asked for ID when I picked up my bib but they do require you to show a receipt of payment for national park entry or pay $10 cash.

There may have been other bathrooms in other places on the Furnace Creek property, but the one at the restaurant where bib pick up was only had two ladies stalls which made for a decent line. I went and then got right back in line.

Approximately 300 runners across the three races. The start was slightly delayed (10 min) due to some challenges with closing part of the road. 95% of the course the road is fully open and runners run along the west side either in the gravel shoulder or the inside of the white line. Traffic isn't super heavy so it's manageable.

The course is also an out and back, which I enjoyed because you get to see all the race leaders come through on the return/cheer others on. Supporters aren't allowed on the course for traffic reasons, nor are headphones allowed. I thought this might be a challenge, as someone who definitely leans on that stuff. I found the landscape and other runners sufficiently inspiring.

Aid stations with Gatorade, water, snacks and porter potties are available every 3 miles. I'd recommend bringing your own gels, hydration etc as a back up.

Temps started around 50 at 8am and peaked in the 70s. The real challenges on the course were late miles as there's a pretty noticeable incline miles 22 to 26, and for me it was 11am, so the sun was getting stronger. I hesitate to describe the course as rolling hills, but it's also not entirely flat.

Neutral rating on tshirt/swag because in my post finish stupor, I skipped returning to the spot inside where they had t-shirts etc. But, update, they mailed the shirt and it's pretty cool!

Overall, a great race I would absolutely recommend. Kind of like running on Mars with a bunch of run buds likeminded enough to think a race in Death Valley also sounds like a Hell of time! (It was).