This was my first, ever, marathon.
The Expo was awesome. There were tons of vendors and even speakers scheduled during the two days before the race. Packet pick up was easy. An awesome selection of race merch was available for purchase. Tons of other races had booths set up and offered great discounts (but I was feeling too superstitious to sign up for anything).
Posters with all of the participants names listed were handed out at the expo. Swag included event-specific tech shirts, a gorgeous finishers medal, and event-specific beanie at the finish line. If you'd completed one of their races the month prior at Ft. Ben, you could also collect an Indython medal, with event-specific charm.
A bunch of Portalets were set up along the start corrals. Water/sports drink stations were well staffed and well stocked and occurred approximately every two miles.
The spectator support along the route was great...People threw parties in their yards along the course, and held signs, and poured drinks....It was like a celebration.
Medical support had a good presence. Portalets seemed regularly stationed as well.
Timing was great, and splits were measured by timing mats. Printouts of times were available at the finish.
Volunteers at the expo and along the course were awesome. Just awesome.
The course was flat, and took racers through cool parts of downtown, Broad Ripple, and the Butler area.
In the finishing chute, there was an abundance of snacks and drinks. Finishers could pick up pizza in one of the tents. Some of the vendors started to tear down shortly after my 6-hr finish time....more motivation to run the next one faster.
Thanks for a great race.... I'll never forget it, and I'll surely be back.