The Fall Classic was my favourite half-marathon of 2013 and upon completion it immediately went on my calendar for 2014. Given the time of year, you can expect decent weather and gorgeous scenery. The race starts in downtown Fredericton, but you quickly begin on paved trail and then head across an old train (now pedestrian) bridge over the river onto the north side of Fredericton.

Once over the bridge, you transition onto gravel trail and remain there almost exclusively as you head out towards Marysville. The course is an out and back with beautiful scenery for the majority as most of the trail has you alongside a river and going through the fall foliage. Even the more developed areas are scenic as you pass a lumber yard and by some very old buildings in Marysville while on course.

There are ample aid stations on course and there were even brass musicians playing for the runners just past the visitor information after crossing the bridge - a nice touch. There weren't a lot of spectators which wasn't a surprise as there were only a couple of road crossings suitable for people to see the runners.

Besides being beautiful, the course is extremely flat and fast. The seasonal temp and course make it an ideal course to challenge or set a PB. If a half marathon is more than you are ready for there are also 5 km and 10 km options.

The race is well attended but the trail is able to accommodate all runners comfortably. The fee also gets you a tech shirt, but there isn't much of an expo or race kit other than that. Overall, it is well run and a fantastic race.