Packet Pickup: I can't comment on the expo, if there was one, because packet pickup was Friday only and I came in from out of town. The race didn't start until 8:15 so there was plenty of time prior to pick up your packet at the extremely organized tables. I walked over from the host hotel* which was less than a mile away. After receiving my bib I proceeded to the beach to get my very nice shirt and clear bag to drop off. Again, very well organized. There was water available pre-race and a gentlemen on loudspeaker keeping us informed of time and other announcements. After using a porta-potty, of which there was many, I headed to the start line.
Race: In order to avoid congestion, the men and women had separate starting lines and merged after about a mile. I thought this worked quite well and if you really didn't want to be separated, they were not asking men to leave the women's start. The race started right on time which doesn't happen that often for me. This is a road race, so of course there is congestion in the beginning. Around mile 2 there was a pretty serious hill but then was a rolling course through beautiful neighborhoods and along the water. I was feeling great but at mile 8-9 two hills came into play which set me back a bit. After that it was more level to the finish.
Support: Fairfield is amazing! Not only was there water and UCAN every 1 to 1.5 miles, the residents were out with water, Gatorade, orange slices, popcorn! There were 4 or 5 sprinklers on route. Signs, cheering, it was great! I could not have asked for more. The volunteers were so enthusiastic!
Finish: The announcer read the finishers as fast as he could! People were yelling and clapping the whole length of the final stretch, which is pretty long. When I crossed the line I was handed a very nice finisher medal and proceeded to the beach for the best post race spread I have ever seen. Pizza, bread, bagels, Pure Protein bars, watermelon, oranges, bananas, apples, milk, fruit punch, banana bread, cookies, smoothie samples. Trophies are given, the band played. Too bad the weather didn't cooperate or I would have stayed much longer.
I highly recommend this race and am so glad I chose it for my Connecticut race in my 50 state challenge.
*not sure what made this the host hotel other than it being located in Fairfield.

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