Packet Pickup: This was one of the best race-day packet pickups that I have experienced. We arrived early to get a parking spot close to the race start and were impressed with the amount of race support from the start. There were several people directing traffic, clear signage showing where the alternate parking zones were and helpful organizers ushering people to the packet pickup. Packet pickup took place at the Liberty Community Center. The building was warm and had bathrooms that runners could use while they picked up the packet! We got our packets quickly and relaxed in the car until race start.

Pre-race: There was a lot of great energy pre-race! There were a lot of vendors set up, offering free samples (smoothies, cookies, chicken bacon wraps, coffee, donuts, etc) to the runners. The local police even entertained the crowd by dancing to the YMCA. The anthem kicked off about 10 minutes prior to the race start. There wasn't any corrals, but that was okay because the race was relatively small. There were pacers scattered throughout the crowd.

The Goods: We received a nice cotton blend t-shirt and a few goodies in the bag at packet pickup. Not pictured are the work gloves (kinda like gardening gloves) that many people used and tossed during the race, a chapstick, pen, stickers, and a little travel bandaid pack. It was nice to get something more than just race adverstisements and a couple coupons. Good job Liberty organizers!

The Race: As with all races in the Missouri/Kansas area, this route was full of rolling (but manageable) hills. The course itself was not what I would consider scenic, mostly running through country roads and a few residential areas. What I DID enjoy was the course support and the lack of traffic. The organizers did a great job of blocking off the roads for the route. Even though I was in the back of the pack as a run/walker, there was still great support at the water and fuel stations. They also had port-a-potties throughout the course.

I highly recommend this race. It is affordable, well-supported, and a pretty good course. It's not scenic, but what it lacks in beauty it makes up for in small elevation changes and great race organizers!