I decided to sign up for this race a few weeks before it was scheduled. I registered at one of the early packet pickup locations (a New Balance store) and the registration was easy. I filled out a registration form, paid (cash or check only), and got my shirt and bib at that spot. The race also offered online registration.

Because I did the early packet pickup I cannot comment on the expo that the race put on. Race morning we arrived in Detroit around 6:30am and had no problem finding parking. We did not use one of the lots suggested on the race site so I do not know how congested those lots were. We went to cobo (2 blocks from our parking lot) before the race to use the restrooms and stay warm. The restroom lines were long but moved and maybe took 15 minutes total. We headed over to the start line a little after 7 and ended up going inside the Guardian Building until about ten minutes before race start since it was right by the corral.

The start area had clear entrances to the different corrals and had people at the entrances checking bibs. I did not have too many issues with my corral placement (I signed up for the blue corral which was supposed to be 8-10 minute mile pace - I planned to run around 10 minute miles). There was a bit of a squeeze on the side road before getting on Woodward due to some construction but other than that I was not slowed by other runners on the course.

The course had 3 water stations and 1 cookies/mints station. I did partake in all 3 water stations (miles 2, 3, and 4.5 approximately) but passed on the cookie station even though it was a cute idea I wasn't ready for food at that point during my run. The course was flat and open - I was able to run at my pace throughout the whole course minus the one spot where construction narrowed the course at the beginning (it didn't lose too much time).

The finish area was well organized. One past the finish line there was a separate chute for the double runners to get back to the start for the 5k. Then through the long chute they gave you your medal and a bottle of water. The chute moved and I did not have any issues with stopping before the finish line like I saw in reviews of previous years. After exiting the finish chute there were additional snacks and waters inside of cobo. That area was easy to get in and we ended up browsing around the New Balance expo booth for a little bit before leaving. Leaving had a bit of a bottleneck since there were a total of 3 doors for entering and exiting the expo area and the 5k finishers were all trying to get in while the 10k finishers were leaving.

After the expo area we went back to the car and had no problems with getting to the highways and on our way home. Overall I was very pleased with this race - the spectator support can't be beat and everything was well organized. I will plan to run this again since the 10k was a perfect start to Thanksgiving.