This was my first half marathon so I don't have any other halfs to compare it to but I have run a number of 5K and 10K races. Overall, I really enjoyed this race and thought the organizers did a nice job.

The race coincides with the Marion Arts Festival. Packet pickup was at City Square park in downtown Marion and was quick, painless and well organized. I paid the extra 5 bucks for a tech shirt instead of cotton; it was a decent shirt but predominantly white which I don't care for. Just personal preference.

The race started and finished at City Square park. The half starts at 7:30 then the 5K takes off about 5 minutes later. The pre race instructions were very clear. They played the national anthem, we all walked a block to the west to the start line and they started the race pretty quickly which I like. I hate standing around in the corral for 15 minutes while people ramble on. There was a little over 500 people running the half marathon so it's not a huge race.

I didn't consider the course to be flat. There were several hills on the course; they weren't steep but were long slow climbs. I know there was a short one in the first few miles and I believe another around 3 miles. From mile marker 7 to mile marker 9 it was probably 80% uphill running. Again most of it not really steep, but long slow climbs which still tax the legs. There were also small rolling hills at points along the route. There is a nice little downhill section past mile 10. However, the first half of mile 13 is uphill which was a real killer for me. I consider the course to be moderately challenging. I ran a 10K, the Dam to Downtown in Iowa City, that was much, much tougher hill wise but this course is certainly not flat.

Not really much crowd support along the route, but there were a few people here and there. Volunteer support was great and there was never any doubt about which direction to go. Aid stations had water and lemon lime gatorade; if you called out to the volunteers as you came in which you wanted they would get it to you. I thought the volunteers were all great. Aid stations every 1.5 or 2 miles and a porta potty at 4 different stations. There was a nice crowd at the finish and they announce your name as you come across the finish line. A volunteer was right there to hand me a bottle of water and my finishers medal.

The post race had plenty of food and drink available. Water, gatorade and chocolate milk to drink; fruit, granola bars, cookies and Zio Johno's spaghetti to eat. Well staffed and no long lines to get what you want.

I would recommend this race and plan on running it again next year. I enjoyed it and am glad I chose it for my first half marathon. The course is moderately challenging and the volunteers and organizers do a really nice job.