General:
- About 1000 people ran one of the two races (875 for 8k, 250 for 8 mile)
- Both races start at the same time and use the same course for the first 5 miles

Pros:
- The tshirt for this race is pretty nice and is something I'd actually wear!
- The results were posted online almost immediately, in real time.
- Free photos are promised (they haven't been loaded yet) but I only saw one photographer on the entire course and none at the finish line so I'm not too hopeful!

Cons:
- This race starts and ends near the Wave Pool playground area at Two Rivers park. Participants parked in the large parking lot near the Wave Pool entrance... the start line was close to the playground. The course crosses the ONLY park road in/out of the parking lot which wasn't an issue at the start... but certainly was at the end. Leaving took quite a while as there were still runners on the course needing to cross that road!
- The first 2 miles were VERY congested - anyone who runs the Shelby greenway regularly knows that the walking path isn't THAT wide and there were lots of people being really aggressive when passing. There were also a lot of kids and families at the start of the lineup who most definitely needed to be much farther back. I wish there had been a staggered start.
- There was a lot of confusion around the 7.5 mile mark - there was no where near enough directional signs or volunteers helping along the last mile of the course. Many of us ended up on a road? Which was wrong? It was confusing!
- There were no participation medals even though the website indicated there would be when I registered. There was a lot of confusion about this at the finish line and a lot of people standing in a line unnecessarily (in the picture included)
- I wish there had been something other than the cinnamon roll at the finish line... even some bananas? A little gatorade? There was nothing!

Verdict?
I don't know that I'd run this one again next year unless they make a few improvements! Most importantly, rethinking the parking and the route - maybe don't have it cross the one road in/out? Just an idea! Maybe stagger the start? Just a thought!