This was my first time to run the Russvegas 1/2 marathon in my hometown of Russellville, AR. Over all I have to say that this was a really fun race and that I very much enjoyed the experience.

I was blown away at the websites description of swag included in the registration price. I think it cost me 65 bucks to register a few months before the race and I was expecting a zipper pullover shirt (awesome), a cotton race t-shirt, timing chip and medal provided that I finished. Those were all really big draws to the race for sure! I think that the race did a great job of getting emails out prior to race day with information regarding the event. I have never seen a race go to so much trouble to offer so many locations for packet pick up before a race. I was very frustrated with the packet pick up once I got to the location the evening before the race. I was not sure where exactly to go to pick up my packet once I arrived and there was a carnival type thing happening downtown, with the color run that night and it made parking a huge nightmare! Once I was parked and hunting down my packet, I found a line that was very long, full of people waiting very orderly to pick up their packets. It took me a while to get through the line and when I did get to the front of the line, they had run out of my size in the cotton tshirt and told me that I would be contacted for delivery of my shirt in the future. That was not a big deal at all, the volunteers were obviously very busy taking care of things and were still very polite. When I went over to pick up my pullover, the volunteers took the time to make sure I was aware that the pullover was running a bit large and that I might do well to try it on. They were awesome volunteers!

Race day was really by the book and lovely. There were plenty of volunteers on the course and an amazing amount of local police were available to keep the roads closed for the runners. The aid stations were wonderful and very well managed. They had water and gatorade at every two miles from what I can remember. The miles were very well marked and the course was lovely.

The finish line was a great party! They had all kinds of great snacks and bottled water at the end of the course. Today I got an email from the course saying that the race pictures were available to view and were free! What a treat! I was hard to leaf through all of the photos to find the ones that had my bib in them, but you can't beat a free race photo! This race is wonderful and the town is very welcoming. THE RACE MEDAL IS AWESOME!!