First of all: this race is to benefit Mystic Aquarium's efforts to bring back the endangered African Penguin. How can you lose when you're running for those adorable waddlers?

Secondly: the race is a mixed-terrain course with mostly roads and a small trail section. There are some pretty major hills on this out-and-back lollipop, so you have now been warned.

When you hit the finish line, prepare for awesomeness. There are all kinds of yummy snacks, your bib gets you in to the aquarium for the rest of the day, and (best of all) there are PENGUIN RACES afterwards. That's right; after the humans race, the penguins race. You can even bet on which penguin you think will win the penguin race. If your penguin wins, you are entered into a drawing for a piece of penguin art (that is art made by the penguins). It's pretty awesome. And don't worry, the birds are treated with every ounce of respect and are not harmed nor traumatized; remember that Mystic Aquarium is (above all) a conservation and education organization.

The only reason I would knock it down from five stars is lack of pre-organization. I never received a pre-race info packet, and the website isn't updated terribly frequently. Chip timing also seems to have been compromised since official chip times were never released (there are gun times circulating, but not chip times). Oh well; this was still an awesome race and everyone should totally do it.