Pre Race: Parking can be a slight problem as the race is during the town’s festival and all the close, on street parking was full. Advised to park in nearby high school, that lot was even filling up. We arrived about 7:20pm. Registration was still open from 2-8pm for $30. Packet pick up at same time, held in the basement of the bank. Easy packet pick up, noted bib number, told the volunteer and were handed a plethora of stuff. Inside a small lunchbox bag with race logo was the cotton performance t-shirt, travel size irish spring body wash, travel size men's deoderant, bib number, timing chip, beer token, and some samples.

The kids fun run and one mile race were to be held before the 4 mile race. (rain this year cancelled the fun run, and delayed the one mile start) Porta-potties were available, as always could have been more; plus these were shared with the beer tent goers. However they were the cleanest I have ever seen, workers cleaned them almost after every use.

This year there were storms and it was raining. After a slight delay we were lined up at the starting line. The race director was doing everything to get the race in, even as the lightning in the distance highlighted the sky. The pace signs came out to the start, there was no National Anthem, the gun was pulled from a plastic bag and the race was underway.

9pm, Race starts, Course notes: It was dark, due to the cloud cover, course lined with luminaries. On the streets of Eldridge, paved, however there were some cracks so needed to pay attention. Start was crowded, about 1000 runners stuck around; took a while for everyone to pan out. Lots of weaving in and out of people. At each mile, marked on the pavement, there was someone shouting times. The course had water stops, spectators, drunk spectators, and music. There were a few dark spots and a corner marked by a safety vehicle, the flashing red and blue lights were blinding and made it hard to see anything. Lots of puddles. The course is flat, a few inclines, nothing steep. Finish was clearly marked with a banner and the clock.

Post Race: Area was secluded with metal barriers, a little crowded with people getting chips removed and grabbing water, grapes, bananas, bomb pops, cookies or strawberries. There was also a finish area sprinkler, but not operating this year. Awards were announced and gun times were posted on a scrolling lap top.

Overall: Great race with lots of course support. This was my fourth time running this race, if I don’t have any conflicts I would run it again. Not a bucket list race, but if you are in the area it’s one of the better races. Any Corn Belt race is always a good one!