I would really love to give five stars across all categories for this race, but there are some changes that are needed in order to take it from a good race to a great race. Race communication is limited (one email sent one week before the race with a link to the app). I did not see an elevation chart posted and perhaps I missed this but much needed elevation chart as there are some hills to this course.

My biggest change would be to add medals to age category and overall winners. I won for first overall female in the half marathon and there were no special pictures taken, or a special medal given. While prize money isn't necessary, an acknowledgement to the top 3 runners by gender in the half and the marathon certainly is standard race protocol. And perhaps top 3 per age group. So while this might seem like a minor thing to race organizers, it is a big thing to runners. To not acknowledge in any way race placement is a major disappointment. And so, to cross the finish line, have my name announced and that was that was a bit of a bummer.

The course itself is somewhat scenic. The half takes you through Baylor University's campus, then along the river near the zoo, and back into downtown Waco. There are some hills and an underpass as well as a back and forth portion of the race. Not a ton of crowds to cheer you on but that's ok. It is meant to be a small town race versus a big world marathon major race.

All in all, a few tweaks to this race as far as race management and then I think you could get more serious runners.