T-shirts/SWAG - A nice technical t-shirt and a cool medal that can be combined with the medals from the other races in the series (like a puzzle) to create a giant medal! I'm doing the series and personally think it's really fun to get a new piece each race. They also take a good amount of high quality free photos!

Aid Stations - One about every 2-3 miles which I found to be a good distance. They weren't too crowded and had plenty of volunteers so I was always able to get handed a cup on the run (I just drink water so unsure how nutrition was).

Course - I am not a city runner and signed up for this race just because it was part of the series. I was pleasantly surprised it didn’t FEEL like city running. The course was over a much less densely populated area than when I generally think of Providence so it was peaceful and not full of the hustle and bustle of a city. It was well blocked off from cars and people, almost always giving us at least a full side of the road. I also thought Providence was a hilly city, but the course was mostly flat (with a few decent uphills to spice things up). I usually think flat courses feel monotonous and like they go on FOREVER, but the few hills combined with decently winding route kept that from happening. Also I say “winding” because it had turns, but almost none of those 90 degree angle turns around city blocks, which I also dislike. Overall, I really enjoyed a course that I definitely thought would not be my cup of tea at all.

Parking - I parked at the mall. You have to pay a small fee, but that way I didn't have to worry and was guaranteed close parking. Also the mall takes credit cards, unlike some of the smaller parking lots in the area.

Start Line - Easy to find. I stretched off to the side until the last minute and was able to jump in quickly.

Packet Pickup - My only issue with this race. Granted they did warn against picking up the day of in multiple emails (but I live too close to stay over and too far to go there the day before), but it was VERY busy. The line ended up running down the narrow hotel hallways so you couldn't see the start until you were there. This caused me to stand in the wrong line since they provide a special shorter line for the people signed up for the whole series.

Overall I really enjoyed this race and think it was very well put together besides packet pickup being a bit crazy. The course felt fast and I have heard the marathon course is excellent as well so I will most likely return to give that a go next year!

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