Came back to HC Columbus this year. I ran with my mom again, like last year. We signed up in December for $54 and by doing that, got embroidered, city specific jackets this year (yay!). Got seeded in the B corral based off my time from last year, just wish I could have gotten more training runs in. I drove to my parents Friday night and Saturday, we went to Columbus and stayed at the Hyatt Convention Center, just a short walk from the finish.

The expo: Swag was picket up by my mom, sounds like it was pretty HC 15K/5K standard

The swag: a string bag, an outer layer zip jacket. If you registered early, the yours was embroidered and city specific with the HC 15k logo.

Parking: fair amounts of garages around the start/finish area to park. We stayed at the Hyatt and so our car was parked in the Chestnut Lot. Easy walk for us this morning to the start.

The Start/Finish: Starts North Bank Park in downtown Columbus, finishes in the arena district

The course: flat (relative) with minor hills here and there. The first 4 miles were the same as last year with the 15K and 5K run together for the first 2.5 miles before splitting off. Again, only 2 water stops the first 4 miles with the first stop having chocolate chips, which I missed and the second one with marshmallows. We kept going down High St. to Ohio State. Last year, we went through more of campus than what we did this year. We did get a good view of Ohio Stadium and the Schottenstein Center. Water stops around mile 6 and 7.5 with M&Ms and chocolate marshmallows. Again, hit German and Victorian Village towards the end. The 5K meets back up with the 15K right before mile 9, but it's divided so you're not running over walkers. Downhill to the finish. Definitely chillier this year during the race, before it decided to warm up to the 60s.

The finish: Decently organized. When I got my chocolate stuff at the finish, the lines were long, took about 5 minutes to get my fondue. My mom was in an out, so I guess it's hit or miss. If you wanted to to post race pictures with the logo/ inflatable marshmallows, the lines were pretty long

If you stay at a hotel for the race, look for something in the arena district, close to the finish! Also, I wish races would steer clear of the string bags. Most of mine get donated somewhere because I have so many of them