This was the first negative experience I've had with a race. Terrain Race advertised free early registration, but piled on the fees and add-ons. (I understand the need for event insurance and venue fees, but be honest with your pricing if those fees are as much as entering a local 5k costs.) Everything seemed more focused on making money than on the race experience. Pre-race emails and packet pick-up *heavily* encouraged runners to buy merchandise. The gouging continued on the day of the race. Parking? Suprise, it's $20, cash only. Bag check? That's another $15.

The course itself was...ok. The raceway setting was kind of neat. Very little mud. Decent mix of obstacles including tough ones, but there was no "punishment" (like burpees) for failing them, nor was there the help-strangers-over-the-wall camaraderie that other obstacle races encourage. The organizers had a difficult time managing the waves, so lines backed up at most of the obstacles. The aid stations (just water) and obstacles were sparsely manned by one or two volunteers; I'm curious and concerned what would have happened if someone got injured.
We weren't even entirely sure we finished until we reached the line for t-shirt pick-up, as there was no real finish line marker or celebration. Swag was a cheap cotton t-shirt and a medal (that I'm honestly a little surprised wasn't plastic given the rest of the experience). Post race-snacks? Nah, but there's a single food truck you can go to.
While the race may be fun for newbies to obstacle racing, the whole thing left a bad taste in my mouth.