Pre-race / expo: The expo was held the Saturday before the race from 10am to 6pm. This was your only chance to pick up your packet. However you could have someone pick it up for you, they just had to sign a form saying they did so. There were scheduled events during the expo and a pasta party in the evening. With your registration (approx $45) you received a long sleeve gender specific tech shirt, bib, chip for timing, post race food, post race beer, a poster and lots of papers, pamphlets and flyers. (virtual race bags would have been nice, as my flyers hit the recycling bin.)

This year there were a record number of runners, 5700; so there are no issues with parking Just need to make sure you have enough time to maneuver through the area as the main streets are closed for the race. Lots of parking in the lot adjacent to the iWireless Center.

Plenty of port-a-potties lined up before the race. Hand washing stations were also stationed near them.

Race: All races started at 7:30, in the same undivided corral, just a big mob of people encouraged to line up with a pacer, to say it is crowded is an understatement. It was also the finishing shoot, which was set up with tents on either side. The race is chip timed so not a huge problem with timing, just a problem with too many people in one spot.

There were some announcements and a live singing of the National Anthem, which I did not hear as too many people were talking. If it were my first long distance race I would have been mad.

Course: All races start together, but quickly the 5k splits off and tours through Moline, IL. The half sticks with the full until mile 8, crossing the Mississippi into Bettendorf, IA, then to Davenport. When the full splits and goes into Rock Island, IL, the half comes back to Arsenal Island.

The terrain is all surfaces, pavement, asphalt, grave, bridge grate – pay attention to not get tripped up
water and lemon lime Gatorade stops along the course
Gu stops
No “lube” stops on the half as there have been in the past.
One fruit stop, near mile 12 / 20 – oranges already peeled
Port-o-potties on the course
Spectators along the course, except on Arsenal Island
Bands, live music, singers, DJ’s on the course
Each mile was marked
I did not see a medic or medical tent on the half course, but there were official bikers monitoring the course
There were volunteers at every intersection
The course is pretty flat, bridge crossings and one hilly area
MarathonFoto on the course for photos
Participant tracking was available via text

Post Race: After crossing the finish line a medal is placed around your neck and a finisher’s photo is taken. Tubs of ice with bottles of water available. Chocolate milk at another location. Mylar blankets were available. There was a food tent with watermelon, grapes, oranges, bananas, chips, granola bars, cookies and bagels. There were tents with things to buy, a tent with benches for sitting out of the sun & massage tents. Then there was a stop with Pepsi and Gatorade, a hot dog stand and then the beer trailer with Miller Lite. At the end of the finishers area was the stage for awards.

Overall: I like this race, it’s well organized, decent course and decent price. The starting area is about the only headache. I have been part of it for the last 4 years. I will always try to run it.