I think I had some total mixed feelings about this race. I really wanted to like it but I am just not sure it did it for me. It was nice to do a race 2 days after Christmas and even nicer because the weather was pretty good. However, due to the warmer temperatures there was a major influx of late registrations which lead to a delay for the start of the race. It also lead to really long lines at the rest rooms. This was a bit of an issue.

I liked the fact that they gave hoodies in place of shirts. The registration fee was very reasonable.

With the number of runners in the race, it would have been good if the race was chip timed. My time didn't get impacted too much but I am sure some did that could have placed high in their age group.

I really had somewhat of a love/hate relationship with this course. I absolutely hated the first 2 miles and then really loved the next 2.5 miles and then disliked the last .5 mile. The first mile essentially did nothing but climb. I am not a big fan of a course that climbs right away. It was kind of comical though watching how fast some people went out and were walking in the first half mile once they started getting into the hill. I was running a pretty good place and had people blowing by me in the first 600 meters until we got to the hill. After doing the climbing the race went downhill on a steep downhill that really pounded the ankles and knees. I hate steep downhills more than anything so that put a major negative about the race in my mind. However, I ran my fastest mile ever in a race. :)

After getting through the first two miles the majority of the rest of the course ran on a trail next to a stream. It was actually really pretty and peaceful. I really loved this part of the course. Then the course ended back on the road.

Following the race they had chicken rice soup and philly soft pretzels. The chicken rice soup had a weird taste and I could not eat it. I was not the only one either.

I would probably think of running this race again if it was not for the downhill section. However, I know how that section beats my body up and probably will skip next year. However, it is not a bad race and I think a lot of people would like it.