I feel I should start this review with the caveat that it was a first race here at this location, so I am empathetic to the organizers. I am sure next year there will be some things ironed out.

The course: Both the 8 mile and the 8K runners were on the same loop course until just before the 8K finish, when the 8 milers broke off to another area. The 8K course was a nice run through or near the woods after crossing the Cumberland River on a pedestrian bridge. The course included sidewalk, asphalt, and a short jaunt through the woods on a pretty wide trail. The finish was just beyond the big climb back up to the pedestrian bridge, which was a pretty steep switchback path. Four of the 7-8 spectators I saw along the way were just before this steep incline, so I am grateful for them and their support. Overall, the only complaint I have is one that I often have with small races: There were walkers up front, and the start of the race was the most narrow. It was terrifying to round a curve and almost run into a row of walkers. I would love to see races make announcements to the crowd that walkers should go to the back, and share the etiquette of staying to the right. I wasn't expecting to PR at a local turkey trot event with lots of families, but at the same time, it would be safer to have walkers towards the back of the pack.

Communication: There was plenty of communication from the organizers about packet pickup, etc leading up to race day. On race day, there was a lot of confusion. The speakers were not nearly loud enough for the crowd to hear announcements. I was standing pretty close to the start/finish, and couldn't hear pre-race or start-of-race announcements. More on this below.

Port-a-pots: There were two port-a-pots near the parking lot, and a long line had formed there, so I didn't join the line when I arrived. The crowd had gathered in the area between the parking lot and the start line. I happened to look beyond what I thought was the start, and saw a row of port-a-pots with NO LINE! So I ran over and went right in. Later, just before the race, an announcement was made that everyone was gathered on the wrong side of the start line. Everyone then moved around to the other side, and the secret port-a-pots were discovered. I think most people thought the only ones were the two out by the parking area.

The finish: Once I crossed the line, I was grateful for the tent with water, but was looking around for the promised cinnamon rolls. I had to scan the crowd and see that people with cinnamon rolls were coming from the park pavilion that was down the hill and back behind the finish. It was a little confusing in that post-run fog. I would have liked to see a cinnamon roll alternative as well. After getting my cinnamon roll, I saw a few people with medals, but not many. The website had mentioned finisher medals, and I asked someone where to go, and they pointed to a long line leading up to a tent. I waited in line, and from there we could print out our finish time and place on a receipt. They said only the top 3 in age groups and overall would receive a medal, so at #13 in my age group, I wouldn't have stood in that line for my finish time that was already on the website. Later, an email went out that the website was incorrect about everyone receiving a finisher medal, so they offered to mail everyone a medal if they confirm their address. That made me cringe for their sake, as that expense was surely not budgeted, and was a nice offer considering the cost of mailing the medals to everyone (and likely purchasing more medals).

Leaving wasn't super fast, either, as the course crosses the only way out of the park. I am not sure that could be avoided in the future if they stay in this location, so plan ahead to tailgate with snacks for a while until the bulk of the runners/walkers have finished.

Hopefully, some of these issues can be improved next year through pre-race communication, better signage or speakers. Overall, a good way to start my Thanksgiving, but a little rough around the edges.