This was my fifth year participating in the Dogfish Dash, which starts and ends at Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Milton, Delaware. It benefits The Nature Conservancy's Delaware chapter.

It was the third year that it was an 8K race (it used to be a 5K and 10K race). It was hot, but there are three water stops on the course, and the volunteers were helpful.

Packet pickup is held the day before the race, and I did go to the packet pickup, but I wouldn't really consider it an expo. There were a few vendors set up. That went smoothly and I was able to pick up packets for my friends (there is an email to contact if you want to do that). People can also pick up their packets on race day.

Swag at the packet pickup included a T-shirt (seems to be a thicker fabric than previous years) and a bag with different items in it including work gloves. At the race, runners get a reusable water bottle and stainless steel pint glass. I love the stainless steel pints in particular!

The course scenery includes the town of Milton and some residential areas and fields. It's overall a pretty flat course, but there's at least one noticeable hill.

There is not enough parking on-site, so to park at the brewery, you have to get there very early. We did not and parked at a nearby school. We had someone driving who was not running the race, so we were able to get out before he parked. Be prepared to walk a few blocks beforehand. There are people directing drivers to the parking areas.

This race always goes smoothly and I would give race management a 5! The course is clearly marked. I will note that there are no marked corrals at the beginning, so you will probably be dodging slower runners/walkers at the beginning unless you're at the front.

The race includes three beers for runners 21+! I would also recommend bringing cash for the Fifer's apple cider doughnuts.

Read my blog recap here: https://sherunsbytheseashore.com/2017/10/08/dogfish-dash-a-hot-one-but-fun-with-friends-and-beer/