The 2017 event took place on Sunday, November 12 at 7:10 am. (The full marathon started at 7am,and the wheelers started 5 minutes before each distance.) It was a cool 32 degree start, with rain just to the south, slight wind and cloudy.

The race is part of a race series. You can complete distances at the spring "Run Madtown" events to earn an additional medal.

Registration: This is available online, and closes a few days before the race. However, you can register at the expo the day before the race. I can not recall the price, but I do not remember it being out of line with similar event distances. It also increased as race day approached. Included with my registration was a personalize bib with timing strip, a long sleeve gender specific shirt (very soft), along with a bag of flyers. A virtual event bag was sent a few days prior to the race via email.

Expo/ Packet pick-up: The expo was held the day before the race at the Monona Terrace. It's an event space, parking is attached for $5. If you wanted to walk, you could park in town and walk. The expo was the only place to get your packet unless you paid extra for race day pickup. The bib pickup was simple, just provide the email with your bib number and an ID. Someone else could have picked up your bib if you had a copy of their ID. The expo was smaller, but included the usual running stores, area races and race branded merchandise. There were also water stations, so you could keep hydrated as you walked around. There was a station set up to check the timing chip on your bib.
*The expo was similar to last year, but in a smaller space. I arrived when it opened, there was a line, and it did feel a little cramped, and it was very warm in the smaller space. There were some booths set up outside the expo space.

Pre-race: The race starts and finishes at the Capital, which is the heart of Madison. Surprisingly enough on street parking is free, just blocks from this area. Gear check was set up, and you could use any bag, just had to attach the number on the bottom of your bib. There were a long line of port-o-potties set up, with minimal wait. An information tent was near the back of the corral areas.

There was no actual corral start, but there were pacers in the corral area you could line yourself up with. The marathon started first, with the half 10 minutes later, so you had to pay attention to what you were lining up for and where you were seeding yourself, as the corral system was the same for both race. There were some announcements and after a live singing of the National Anthem, the race had started. The corrals are also "back fed" meaning you enter in the back, so if you are faster you have to snake through the crowd to get to your pace area.

Race/Course:
-Terrain - the entire course is on pavement. There are spots that are new smooth asphalt, but other areas with potholes, nothing major, just pay attention. I also noticed some banked roads.
-Elevation - Madison has hills, they were on this course, the biggest being around mile 8-9.
-Photographers - on the course, and photos were posted the next day online FOR FREE!!
-Aid Stations -There were plenty of hydration stations on course, each had Gatorade- lemon lime, and water. It was water, Gatorade, water at each stop. The first few were very organized with liquids in different cups. However, the last few were a mix of what was in each cup. The Volunteers were vocal as to what they had to offer. There were a couple stops with gels.
-Spectators - there were not many at all. Most people on course were family of runners. The AS volunteers were energetic, so that was nice.
-Volunteers - Friendly people on the course, there were law enforcement at the major intersections helping cars across the streets.
-Course markings - Each mile was marked with a sign. There were cones on the roads that were open traffic, closing off just parts of the roads
-Race tracking - you could download an app for live runner tracking, I didn't see any split mats, but I could have missed them
-Scenery- This course is different from the other races, it does not go down State Street or near any UW features, instead it's near the lake and through residential neighborhoods.

Finish/Post Race: The starting area is the finish chute, so the arch with a timing mat are easy to spot. Once across the line, a volunteer placed a medal around your neck. There was a table with bottled water. Then a photo opportunity with the backdrop. A volunteer came out of nowhere to wrap a foil blanket around you. Then you keep walking to snag an orange slice and banana. Then you could chose your bagged Panera lunch (ham or veggie half sandwich, bag of chips and a cookie.) A result printout was available, and then you could claim a free Michelob Ultra using the tag on your bib. There were tables here to sit and drink your beer. Race merchandise was available for sale too.

My Race: If you know me, most of the time I just do my best and finish with a smile. This event was no different. At the time is was my last race on the calendar, so I was just going to take it in. I also run many races in Madison so I wasn't nervous. One of my favorite things about this race is the FREE parking 2 blocks from the start, this allowed me to sit in my car 15 minutes before the start.

Once I made it to the start, I lined up and was on my 13.1 mile journey to the finish. The start was really crowded. There is plenty of room for everyone to spread out in the starting corrals, but there was some construction on a street and at one point we all came to a halt because there were just too many runners. I think the half had the bulk of the participants, and the race didn't thin out for a few miles...but really you were always running with people.

I really did not care for this course. It was one of the more boring routes I've run in Madison, just running busier roads, so I welcomed the hills as something different.

I felt good the entire time, except for a new chaffing spot I could feel... UGH...I did finish in a time near 2:15 depending on which "stat" I will go by. This is a decent time, I wasn't specifically training for this, and I did not come away injured (does chaffing count?)

I like that they give you a bagged lunch and there is a beer offering, but come on...this is WI, how about a local craft beer? It is great that the beer area provides tables and a place to sit, many races should do this!

I do have to note that this race was a day after the Iowa / Wisconsin football game. IA had their butts handed to them. I still proudly wore a tigerhawk on my hat. I didn't have any problems until an officer standing near one of the last hills said something like "you are not giving up like your Hawkeyes!" Sure I can take a joke...but this guy is not my friend, in fact he needs to be making sure my safety is in check.... so I still have no love for you Badger fans. Also be nice and encouraging within the last mile of race...this was not.

Overall: Even though I would say this is my least favorite half course in Madison, it's nice to have an option in November for a longer distance. You can participate in events all year round in Madison, and each have something different. I basically wrote the same thing as last year, so it's a solid race. I have said this many times, I like running in Madison and will be back - when the Hawkeyes are not in town.