This is a great race if you're local, otherwise, it's probably not worth the cost of travel, etc. The course could be improved without a long out-and-back through the industrial district (there are so many places to "explore" in the NE!). While there are some fast runners, it's pretty sparse if you're running sub-2:50. The St. John's bridge is a challenge, and coming at mile ~16, can ruin a race for those who aren't careful. There are good crowds in a few sections (mainly downtown and a bit in St John's), but otherwise, it's a relatively quite course. If you hit the weather right, it's an enjoyable event.