As someone who spends some time watching and following winter Olympic sports, being able to run around Lake Placid, NY was a bit of a dream come true. For a June race, the weather was basically perfect in the morning. The run loops around Mirror Lake, passing the historic Herb Brooks Arena (Miracle on Ice) in the process. The crowd at the start and at the back end of the Mirror Lake loop was fantastic. The run then takes you past the location of the 1980 Opening Ceremonies (and the Olympic cauldron), and eventually over to the giant ski jumps.

For the half marathon it's an out and back course, which usually isn't *great*, but considering the beautiful scenery it's hard to notice you're out-and-backing it.

The downside of all this Olympic feeling: The hills. Oh. My. God. The climb getting back into town is...well it's something. That said, the challenge was worth it when I got back up to the Olympic speed skating oval and finished with a lap around that.

The event was fantastic along the course, with aid stations providing water, gatorade, watermelon, pretzels, and potato chips. As it got a little warm on the back end of the race, folks who live along the course had sprinklers out along the road to cool off. It was a super nice touch!

The only thing I would change is the "race expo", which is really just a bib pickup where you get your shirt and stuff. But, the race is relatively small (the cap is 2,000 runners), so it may not make a lot of sense to have a big expo.

In all, it's an amazing race, especially if you like a hilly challenge and some Olympic history along the way!