Raccoon Mountain (Half) Marathon was my first trail race experience- and what an entry into trail racing it was! In 2016 they began to offer a morning and afternoon half (or double half). We chose the afternoon race due to the frequency of rain in the mornings on the mountain. The course was absolutely beautiful & difficult. Upside: the trails, for the most part, were not technically difficult (roots, rocks, etc.). The aid stations were the best I've ever seen at an aid station. They had everything a runner could want...except ice cream...and I hear that's now in the works for 2017. Score! Seriously, sport's drinks to water to soda and crackers to cookies and candy to gu and gels. The course support is excellent, but in a different way than I'm used to experiencing. There are not people lining the roads, but there are signs everywhere! And somewhere in the course there is a sign with your name on it- literally.

There is no "expo" and they are very upfront with that information. However; there is a post race cookout. This was my only downside to this race, and I know how I'll fix it next year. The morning half/marathoners had fresh burgers off the grill and plenty of snacks, etc. waiting for them. As we were getting ready to start our race we made notes of how we couldn't wait for a burger and cupcake upon crossing the finish line...well, when we finished there were only a few, very cold, burgers, no sweets or drinks, and the chip bags were on the pavement. Not exactly a welcoming environment. I know and understand that this problem was the result of not having enough volunteers for the PM, and if I do this race again I will do the morning race to avoid this problem entirely.