The 2019 event took place on Saturday May 25. It was around 80 degrees, during the day. Start time 8:10pm.

Registration: Participants were encouraged to register online before it closed a few days before the race, there was registration available at the expo. Included was a bib with your name, finisher's medal, timing chip, post race beer, short sleeve gender specific soft shirt, and free race pictures.There was also a phone app, Race Day Events.

*the race is part of the Conquer the Capital Challenge, which would earn you an additional medal if you ran the half marathon the next day. I was running the challenge. This year all races got the same race shirt. If you did the challenge you received a hoodie - they ran out of my size and I will be contacted to get it at a later date.

Expo/Packet pick up: The expo was held at the Monona Terrace convention center. Parking was on-site in a ramp for a fee, or at a metered spot on the street. With the proper information someone else could grab your packet. Expo closed 3 hours before the race. There was a place to check that the timing chip worked on the bib.

The expo is simple and small. However there were area running stores, race information, sign making stations and information for other local races. There were even water coolers provided with cups to keep hydrated.

Pre race: The 10k start was after the wheelchair start. The National Anthem was sung - I believe I recognized it as a Super Bowl rendition from Jordin Sparks. There were no corrals inside the gated start. Port-o-potties set up, but near the finishers area in the library mall. Parking for the race was to be found in area ramps or on street (which was free after 6pm.)
The race changed location for 2019. It started at the State St Mall. Parking is more of challenge in this area, and the nearby ramps filled up fast. The close on street parking was closed for the race route.

Race/Course: The course was different, with a section on the lake gravel trail.
-Elevation: Madison is not flat, and this race many climbs, especially in the last half mile. Going down Observatory in the dark was also tough.
-Aid stations: The first stop was not until mile 3, there was water only. It was on an out and back section, so we hit this again at just after 4 miles - but they were out of cups. Meaning those who hadn't hit mile 3 - had no cups for water. I felt this was uncharacteristic of this event. Then around mile 5 there was another stop, and they had Gatorade with water AND CUPS!
-Scenery: The race went out along the lake on a gravel trail, the views of the lake were nice, and then it started getting dark. Then we came back to the finish area.
-Photography: FREE race pictures posted online quickly
-Course Markings: I feel each mile was marked and there were plenty volunteers on the course. As this is a night race, I feel some areas could use a little more lighting - like the bike path.
-Terrain: This year the course was a combination of pavement and gravel trail.
-Volunteers : everyone was cheering and shouting for you. They were at all the intersections.
-Spectators:The course was not lined with people, but there was a scattering of people cheering for their friends and family.

*This year the 5k started after the 10k. With my pacing and the 5k pacing, the leader of the 5k hit the trail at the same time. It was crowded, and people would not get over. If I was going for a run in Madison I really liked the course, but for a race, I feel there is some room for improvement with this new course.

Finish/Post race: The finish was easy to spot, as the arch and timing mats were visible. The announcer was reading the names as participants crossed the finish line. Once across the line a volunteer placed a medal around your neck, and then another handed you a bottle of water. There was pizza slices, followed by chocolate milk. There was a Michelob Ultra beer trailer to redeem this ticket on your bib, for a beer or spiked water.
Also new for 2019 was a "glo theme." Glow necklaces were given out at the expo and there was a DJ with lights and music at the post race party.

Overall: This is great option for a night race, you can grab your bib by 5pm and then check out Madison before the 8pm start. It is hard to decided what to eat when. It's priced similarly to other area 10ks and is organized well. I just wish they had something other than pizza post race, even just a banana. - Ha- I wrote that last year, and I agree, I just don't want a heavy, greasy slice of pizza when I am done running. I am also not sure if I am sold on the new location, it wasn't bad, I just like the Capital Square.

My Race: I don't remember how many times I have run this race, and how many times I have run it as the challenge. I just wanted to finish and get some rest for the half marathon the next day. I did get in my head around mile 2 when people wouldn't get over for the lead 5k runners, and then I really wanted a drink and there wasn't anything for what felt like a long time. I was also sad when the 4 mile ish water stop had no cups. I even had a hydration pack with me. I was not used to the warm weather running yet, so I was happy to find some Gatorade at the next stop, and my attitude turned around. However, not for long, I knew Madison could be hilly, but after running the flat trail along the lake, I was surprised by the hills within the last half mile or so. Oh well, I finished with a time near 1:05. I grabbed a spiked seltzer water, took some photos and we were on our way to Chipotle, lol.