You can tell right away that the race managers really know what they are doing with this race! Well organized, well hydrated, well fed... I could keep going... and I will.

I completed this half-marathon as part of the I35 challenge and would recommend it to anyone who asks. Great challenge with Kansas City first and finishing in Des Moines.

The expo was located right in downtown with ample free and easy parking. It is a smaller expo but I liked it's charm. I had the ability to move around as I pleased and was able to try lots of samples, which I liked. I also stayed at a hotel close to the start/finish line and the rates were very reasonable.

Race day parking was a cinch and FREE! Can't beat that, and there were potties in the parking lot so extra bonus! If you come a tad early, I don't believe you'd have any problem finding a great and close parking spot!

I really liked that runners were seeded corrals, it kept us a bit separate and not quite as crowded, but this race does draw crowds - over 8000 runners I was told. I ran this race in very dense foggy and wet conditions so it was difficult for me to comment on the course scenery - you do get some views of downtown and there is a lake that you run around with wide paths - I wish I could have seen the view. Silly mother nature.

The elevation difficulty was on the easy side. However, there is one very large incline between mile 10-11. One race volunteer described it as " a sleigh-ride through HELL". Be mentally prepared for that, but there is also a fantastic return down hill as you approach mile 12 with the final mile a slight decline as well!

The spectators and race entertainment were amazing! There was no shortage of spectators cheering and many were handing out their own goodies to help races along the way! I really appreciated the support, especially because I was running my back-to-back half marathons! The race course did change this year and I heard many comments that the course was better than in previous years.

The aid stations on this course were amazing! I wasn't paying too close of attention to what mile markers they were located, but they were plentiful with gatorade, water and GU. If you didn't want to, you would't need to run with any hydration as you shouldn't be thirsty after this run.

Let's talk about the post-race food! One word: AMAZING. Pizza, sandwiches, cookies, chips, bbq pork, chocolate milk - and I know much much more. Lines were not long and there is plenty of room to navigate through even with 8000 people running.

The medal is also great and it ranges in size depending on if you ran the 5K, half or marathon. The 3/4 zip technical shirt has a nice fit as well.

I would absolutely recommend this race!