Construction on the road the course normally takes forced the race to make a chance. The new course took a larger loop through downtown Ames, and then on a second loop through the nearby neighborhood. The change eliminated the out and back, took out the bulk of the only hill on the course, and allowed for more crowd support.

Per the usual, the 10k looped the 5k course twice.So those of us who ran the double got to run the course three times.

Packet pickup and the expo was again top notch with the shoe sale from Fitness Sports. In 2016, New Balance also had a booth set up at the expo.

The aid station was nicely placed at the halfway point, if you decide you need to stop in a short race. Additionally, because the course looped through the local neighborhoods, there was a beer stop this year. If that's more your speed.

Again, medals are given for the 5k, 10k, and 15k age group champions.

This is a great race. Seriously, just come to Ames to run this.

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