This is a fantastic and fun race, especially if you want to show your pride for two schools with some of the most tense rivalry! The University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin are two BIG 10 schools that battle each other yearly in the BIG 10 conference. Now, they can battle on the road as well! The first 5 winners across the finish determine who wins the border battle! I cheered all the way for the GOPHERS!! GO GOPHERS!!

The race starts in Stillwater and ends in Hudson - over the river and through the woods. Not exactly, but you do cross the river over the interstate bridge into Hudson. Parking was right downtown at the race finish. From there, buses shuttled you to the starting line. I came very close to the last bus leaving and I was still able to find great parking. This race was small, so there was no race expo - and I don't think that there needs to be one. The race offered three different packet pick up times as well as race day pick up. I very much appreciate race day pick up because I traveled an hour to this race and the convenience factor was huge for me.

The 5K had around 450 runners which I found refreshing! I'm used to running very large races. Even though the race course was sometimes tight, it didn't feel that way as everyone was running fairly spread out.

The elevation was flat and mostly downhill with a few very short gains in elevation. I think it was only 35 feet elevation gain. I would describe the course and fast and flat. This race also offered a half marathon option - I cannot speak from experience, but I did hear this this course was more hilly.

One of the biggest perks about this race was the SWAG! :) Fantastic huge medal for 5K and half participants and technical t-shirt. Who doesn't love a great medal! I know that I do and races that offer them even to 5K runners get my vote. I had to downgrade from the half to the 5K due to a nagging injury - and the transfer request was also easy.

This race was affordable as well. Extra bonus for following the facebook page because there were several deals for signing up with up to $10 off registration. I didn't get a refund for switching from the half to the 5K, but that was my decision - so no hard feelings there.

I had the pleasure of finishing first in my age bracket which was a FIRST for me. I was only 4 females away from finishing in the top 5 females for an extra prize. Next year.... I have my sights on this race! GO GOPHERS!! It's a must do. Hometown, affordable, great medal and great event overall.