I have run this race 4 times as well as several other half marathons and there are none better than the Missoula Half Marathon!

The expo is wonderful, organized and really helps you prepare for what's to come. Even though the amount of people who participate in this event is overwhelming, nothing feels stressful or chaotic; everyone is happy, positive and in very high spirits.

Nobody deserves more credit than the race volunteers who work tirelessly throughout the entire weekend to support this event. They are absolutely delightful and they ensure this event lives up to the epic hype that everyone claims it to be.

The morning of the event should be completely crazy and chaotic but it's not. Everyone is under a very clear direction of where to go, which bus to board and despite bussing thousands of people to the starting line, everyone is very quiet, calm and friendly.

At the starting area for the half marathon, everyone is preparing, you start to feel the energy rising. You'll stand with thousands of others as the sun comes up, the announcers do a great job keeping everyone informed, completing a morning warm-up and playing music.

Next is my favorite part, the actual firing of the cannon to signify the start of the race. The beginning of this race is the most exhilarating of any race I have ever run in my entire life! Once that cannon fires, they will shoot off fireworks for so long, you'll literally run far enough away to not be able to hear them anymore. It literally takes over 5 minutes for all of the participants just to pass over the starting line (don't worry, it's chip-timed!).

For the next 13 miles, but particularly the next 2 miles, you'll be running in a huge pack of runners. You can hear thousands of feet hitting the pavement like a stampede of horses running into the sunrise all while fireworks blast away behind you. You'll feel like a feral human running amongst others, carried along in a huge pack. It's a wonderful feeling I look forward to every year I run this race.

The entire course is scenic and iconic, from the man playing his grand piano in his front yard to Caffe Dolce's epic aid station, the course doesn't contain a single dull moment. It is almost always sunny and cool and the spectators and inspiring and wonderful. The streets are littered with sidewalk chalk messages to cheer you on, neighborhoods spray their sprinklers into the streets to cool runners, children applaud and high five runners, you can literally run this entire race off of the good vibes of a beautiful community.

After 13.1 exhausting but inspiring miles, the finish line is a welcome sight! The entire race is chip timed and you can quickly get your official results upon completing the event. The spread of food from the Good Food Store and other local shops is to die for and absolutely hits the spot after your run. Of every sporting event I have ever partaken in, none has a better food tent than this one, hands down.

If you've never run a half marathon before and you are thinking about it, I would absolutely start with this one (this was my first half marathon in 2011 and I was 25 weeks pregnant!). This race is so organized, has a ton of community backing, lots of support and amazing race swag. I've now run 5 other half marathons in other states and none are better than this one!

This is a bucket list race, in my opinion, I wish everyone in the world could experience this race and love it as I do.

Happy Running!

**** Also note, my kids have participated in the Missoula Kids Marathon (1.2 miles) and it's also a really wonderful event! Each kiddo receives a medal and swag bag with a popsicle at the end. The course is along the river on the Kim Williams trail and ends in Caras Park. Parents are encouraged to participate with their children and run alongside them, it's a lovely family event, I highly recommend it!