What a HUGE change of pace from racing in Chicago! A welcome change as its nice to switch it up from time to time.
You can park right at the start line basically so there is no need for a gear check. I cannot speak to the Expo quality as I was fortunate enough to have a friend grab mine for me. The race t-shirt was only ok, the BRIGHT neon yellow was off putting but then the graphic on the shirt made it worse. That being said if was of great quality, a Brooks wicking shirt so I really cannot complain.

This is a trail half marathon, so its important to be prepared for that.......I must have glazed over that fact and ran it in my Nike frees, which worked but is obviously not the best shoe choice for a trail race. The scenery is gorgeous and peaceful, in and out of Forest Preserves, running near water it doesn't get better. I do think the race organizers could have done a MUCH better job of walking the course. Having someone walk the course and use neon spray paint to further highlight somewhat hidden tree roots, logs, and rocks would have been very helpful. I had to run with my head down the entire race to make sure I wouldn't trip over anything.

The "finish line" was a real problem area for me. You are made to run through a very narrow corral, essentially running single file, as you cross the finish line where someone more or less expects you to stop so they can pull a tag off your bin to record your finish and time. HATED this! No one wants to stop dead as they cross the finish line. Maybe, being that this was the first time I ran the race, I had it wrong and didnt need to stop dead, but nonetheless I hated it.

There are spectators around the course, where they can be, cheering everyone on happily which was nice to see since it's not a course set up for spectating. I would do this race again though as I have a friend in the area who runs it with me. It really is a treat to run a more relaxed half marathon as oppposed to always doing city races.

We didnt have the best weather this year, it was chilly and rather windy with some rain at the start so we didn't stay long at the post race party. The post race party had food provided by Red Lobster and libations courtesy of Carlyle Brewery and Rockford area fav!