I have run in over 50 races from 1 milers to half marathons. I LOVED this event. Drove from Chicago the night before and stayed over. The community goes all out for this.

The big hill at the beginning wasn't as hard as I anticipated. I ran the whole 7 miles. Walked through 1 water station.

It was crowded. However I had no illusion I was going to set any hype of speed record. I enjoy dodging and weaving though the crowds. Ran most of the Kirkwood Rd. Stretch in the grass in the boulevard.

The whole course was alive with people watching. Someone had staked down 3 large tarps in the boulevard and had water on it. It was a huge slip and slide. I saw several running hardly breaks ride as they dove through it.

They gave out a simple medal because it was the 40th anniversary.

The post race party was crowded but it was awesome. Fruit, munchies, beer was all plentiful. The Michelob Ultra was free and you could drink as much as you wanted.

This was the first time I had run it. I will definitely go back.

A great experience.