First time running Onward Shay in Boise. I left Friday night from Spokane and got to the hotel just before 10 pm. After trying to stay up for the World Series, I fell asleep and slept well (woke up at 9:45 AM!).

The Expo: On Saturday only, 10-5. It was at Payette Brewing, which was about 1/2 mile walk from the hotel, not bad at all. It was pretty straight forward, you walk in and you're assigned a bib rather than knowing your number ahead of time. Generally this worked out well, except for race day where someone's bib didn't get assigned correctly. Oh well?. Shirts were inside, as were some vendors (mainly sponsors). Saturday afternoon, there was a kid's run so it was a little more crowded. If you couldn't make it Saturday, race day pick up started at 730 AM

Race Distances: 5K (started at 915), 10K (Started at 920) and the half and full marathon (900 am start time).

Race Day: ended up meeting up with fellow Bibrave Pro Bridget who did the 5k and her husband. I was there half an hour early, plenty of time to look around. Wish there would have been some pre race water or something. Dutch Bros did have coffee for sale. Port a potties available with a line and bag drop for the half and full marathon.

The course: flat course, minus when you ran under some under passes. The course was mainly on the Greenway Belt, which is a paved running/biking path. The first 5 miles had you go out and around part of it in a loop. You ran past the Boise State Performance Center and Ann Morrison Park to hit mile 3 before heading back along the Boise River. Just before mile 5, you passed the start and hit the first part of your loop again after mile 6, you were crossing over the river again, only going the opposite way for the next few miles. The course took you out just over 3 miles before the half marathon turned around and came back along the river. The only downside of turning around before the full marathon is the last 4 miles of the half marathon weren't marked, you were basing things off the mile markers 23-26 miles of the marathon. Finish line is where you started.

Aid Stations: every 1.5-2 miles with water, gatorade, gels and sometimes port a potties.

Post Race: after party included hamburgers, hot dogs, cookies and beer, bananas and oranges. I couldn't stay long as I had to shower and catch a flight, but it looked fun. I only wish they had chocolate milk as well!

Overall, flat race and one I'd go back for. Chocolate milk at the finish would be nice, but perfect weather, well run and a flat race!