This race is part of the Hood to Coast race series. This year the events included a 5k, a half marathon, and a half marathon relay. Since the timing is just a few weeks before the actual Hood to Coast and Portland to Coast (walking only) relays, there were a ton of relay teams there (some of which fielded more than one team entry for this event's relay).

Online registration is a breeze. I took advantage of the pre-race packet pickup at downtown Portland's Foot Traffic store so I didn't have to worry about arriving early to the race (which is good, because I basically strolled into the corral three minutes before the start!). There was no line when I went to packet pickup--which lasted almost all day--so I was in and out quickly. Swag included a t-shirt (a cotton tech Nike job) with a super cute crawfish cartoon, and a SweatyBand with the race logo on it. Some people disliked the color this year, which is sort of a mustard yellow, but I like it. (I don't need more white t-shirts.) The medals also featured the little crawfish cartoon.

This race started in Tualatin Community Park, the site of the actual crawfish festival (which featured food and live music), but the race starts earlier than the festival. There was plenty of parking nearby. All distances had a common start with self-seeded corrals, fast peeps in the front, strollers in the back, and everyone else sorting themselves out in the middle somewhere. The 5k had plenty of families and kids. The course covers some of the same ground as other races in Tigard (and some I had run the week before), but I didn't mind. The weather was a little warmer than I expected, but the aid stations had water and electrolytes, including Clif shot blocks, and I slathered on the sunblock, so it was fine.

The course was well-marked and had plenty of volunteers to make sure you understood any intersection or turn that could be confusing. Unlike many races where semi-bored teenagers are staring at their phones while pointing, the volunteers were all friendly and helpful and encouraging. At the finish line, the announcer was reading as many names as possible as runners came through. The finish line was also an exchange point for the relay, and it was fun to see teams prepping for the Hood to Coast and Portland to Coast.

Immediately at the chute there were bottles of water and electrolyte drinks in coolers with paper cups. The festival area had a few runner-specific booths, including some recovery drinks. Every runner had a ticket for one beer or one glass of wine (no cider at this event, at least not for the race). The main festival area was rather sunny, but there were shadier areas and some large picnic pavilions nearby.

I didn't stay for the crawfish festival (vegetarian here, I prefer my crawfish to stay in the water), but I'm assuming quite a few people did. A great way to enjoy the summer weather.