I don't have any previous experience with this race and have read that the course for this race is boring. I agree with that, with a few exceptions: Gray's Lake is beautiful — especially so this year, as it was covered in fog — and then there's the mile-long hill at mile 11 in the half marathon that at least brings you a challenge. Heed the warnings of The Hill (as the race likes to say: GET OVER IT).

Pssst: Get a discount on the race by being a Capital Striders member!

Bib pick-up was at the Expo held at Hy-Vee Hall downtown; we didn't feel like driving around and spent $8 to park right next to the arena. There were quite a few vendors to shop and pick up the usual free race swag, or chat with reps from the big shoe brands. There was branded race merch for sale, too.

There was a bag check on race day at Cowles Commons and a TON of Kybos at the start, which was quite smart on behalf of the Race Director. That said, I didn't understand the double start lines and stopped mobs in between.

Back to the course, there were nice pockets of crowd support — at several corners, there were people out aiding the runners with extra water, ice cubes (thank you!!!), Halloween candy, signs… banging pots & pans — and aid stations set up every 2-3 miles. There were also kybos available throughout the course, as we repeated a lot of stretches. I really appreciated the ladies on bikes traveling with the packs along the course with basically any needed item.

Also, this is where I tell you about the fan stop just past the mid-point on the course:

THERE WAS BACON AT MILE 7. Yes, bacon. (#thanksiowa)

The experience was incredible — and not at all overwhelming like I find other crowded “city” races to be.

At the Finish Line, there was so much food. (And, like, a dozen massage tables… but FOOD): Pizza in the finish line chute, chocolate milk, and additional food vendors in the athletes-only area in Cowles Commons. AND each finisher received a snack box filled with, well, snacks.

There after party was a definite highlight, sponsored by Sam Adams — each runner got a free drink (yay, for hard cider AND wine spritzers options!). There was an additional beer garden over by the Royal Mile, where you could trade in your free drink ticket and grab some race-branded beads and beer koozies. There was live music, too.

Extra bonus: There was a media tent that printed out individual race results! I never saw this and thought it was a really cool race feature.

Due to Capitol Hill (and the race announced it WOULD be back for the 2017 course), I won't likely race this one again. But count me in for a fun run next year (and highly considering the I-35 challenge).