The 2019 event took place on Saturday, June 29. This year brought a few new changes to the event. It would not start and finish at the same place, creating an out and back course. There was a half marathon added to the marathon and relay options.

The marathon started at 6:30 am and the relay started in waves after that, ending with the half marathon starting at 8 am. The temperature combined with the humidity and dew point were a recipe for some HOT conditions.

I have been running this event in some for since 2014. This year I won entry.

Registration: Available online for $85 or through mail entry form. Relay teams could have 2-12 members starting at $35 / person. Relay registration closes early, due to congestion at transition areas. (I believe all registrations were closed early, topping at 1500 participants for all races.) Included with registration was the trail fee, race bib, shirt, bib timing chip, drawstring bag, & bracelet and protein bar.

Packet Pick Up /Expo: There was no expo. You could pick up your packet the Friday before in Dubuque or at the race start.

Pre-race: Parking was in a nearby lot, with a shuttle to the start and finish. Only one relay car per team was allowed to park near the start/finish. Parking was free. There were port-o-potties in this lot. Participants were told of a meeting before the race, but it's just some pointers and notes about the course. After this the National Anthem is sung live.

Then participants are encouraged to line up at their start time. Each wave is started with a cannon blast.

Race / Course: Entire course is run on crushed limestone, on the Heritage Trail. We ran out/back for 3 miles in one direction, then hit the limestone for the remainder of the distance.
-Elevation: flat, but paved sections and inclines /declines near major road intersections.
-Scenery: There are a lot of corn fields and trees, sections with views of water and rock formations. Run by the base of a ski resort.
-The majority of the trail was shaded. This didn't allow for much air movement.
-Aid Stations: Each relay exchange was an aid station that provided Gatorade, water, restroom, grapes, pretzels and gels. The volunteers at each road crossing had mini bottles of water, cups of water and Gatorade. Near the end of the race an ATV roamed the course with bottled water and medics, they also placed coolers of drinks on the trail in the last few miles.
-Course Markings: Each mile was marked with a sign.
-Volunteers: They were at the road crossings.
-There were port - o- potties at the exchange points.
-Spectators: were in the form of relay teams at each exchange, there were also family members.
-Transitions: these were all crowded, it just seems to make these spots hard to get to, especially if you were driving a car for your team.
-Photography: There were photographers on the course, and pictures were sent via email for FREE download the next day!
-Medical: There were atv's roaming the course with medical help. A tent at the finish line.

Finish / post race: After crossing the finish line, a volunteer placed a medal around your neck, handed you a bottle of water and placed a cold towel on the back of your head. There were tubs of chocolate milk, bottled water and bottled Gatorade. There was an announcer reading names as runners came in. The finishing area was spread out, there was one small tent with apples, grapes and cookies. A food truck was cooking pizza. There was a small "store" set up to purchase race branded merchandise. There was the beer tent. There was an additional food option this year - pork sandwiches, chips and a pickle. They also had tickets on the bibs to redeem food, which I appreciate!!

My race: I ran this a week after Grandma's marathon, but I always do. I was prepared to take it slow, especially with the heat. I started with the 5:30 hour pace group, but as much as I enjoyed the company I could only stick with him for a tiny bit, then I was with the 5:15 group... then I ended up with the 5 hour group. I just keep plowing forward, until about mile 10, then that is when those paces groups eventually all started passing me. At mile 12 I really wanted a beer. The turnaround came and I ate some grapes. I switched to the waslk a quarter mile, run 3/4 mile plan. I met up with people and chatted, just took my "sweet ass time" as I told a person I was texting. The course has an 8 hour time limit and I didn't need to be a hero. I came across the finish around 6 hours, my slowest one yet, but hey I didn't feel extra miserable. I don't remember when I drank so much liquid. I regrouped with some friends and had that beer!! I ate some chips and a pickle and was on my way.

Overall: I guess I don't mind the changes to the race, but I do miss running from point to point. It's a nice option for a marathon in Iowa. It's flat and a great surface for running. It's a decent price too.