The race starts at Monmouth Race Track which is convenient for parking and gives you plenty of room for warming up and getting ready. A bugle player plays to get everyone ready and Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run" jams as the race starts. The corrals are easy to get into and are done by what you select during registration, so honesty is key.

The race runs through a few NJ shore towns. Plenty to see and mostly a flat course with some rolling hills including the two bridges you run over. You run through some beautiful homes, through a business district in Long Branch, past college students outside cheering you on, and eventually onto the boardwalk along the Atlantic Ocean. Marathon and Half Marathon runners run together for the first 11 miles before the half marathon course turns towards the boardwalk for the final mile and a half. The final stretch along the boardwalk is nice. It can get windy though so it all depends on the day.

Plenty of aid stations with water and Gatorade throughout the course. They also have an aid station about half way through with Honey Stinger packets.

Finish had plenty of water, Gatorade, food, and they put a wrap around you to keep you warm after the race. The medal is a spinner and really nice.

There is a bag check. You are supplied the bag that has to be used at the expo/packet pick up. The nicest thing is, this race has changing tents so you can get out of your sweaty clothes and into something nice and dry. I really appreciated this. They due limit bags from the finish area though, so once you get your bag you really can't go back.

This race also has a relay option. There are other races on the day prior to the half marathon/marathon including kids races. The expo was at the race track but is moving for 2018. There are shuttles for spectators from the race track to around mile 9. Mile 9 is then a short walk to the finish area, so your loved ones can see you at three locations during the race. Lots of fans cheering at the start, mile 9, and finish due to this. Spectators and runners can take the shuttle back from the finish area to the race track. If you plan on staying, make sure you book a hotel early if you want to stay close to the race as the hotels book up.

I liked this race so much that I'm already signed up for 2018. Come run it!