Most people in Central Ohio know exactly what they are getting with an M3S Sports race, and this was another great example. Well organized and executed, with great care taken to maximize everyone's experience.

January 23rd was quite cold, so Nationwide Arena was open for participants to keep warm. The arena also served as the finish line, allowing spectators to have a (mostly) comfortable seat while they waited for their runner or walker.

The arena played another huge role: CENTER ICE IS THE FINISH LINE! M3S has done a similar race in Ohio Stadium, with runners finishing on the 50 yard line of the (sorry, The) Ohio State Buckeyes' home field. It's believed that this is the first time a race has finished at center ice of an NHL team's home arena. And it was pretty cool (pun intended). Only "downside" was that there was a surface covering the ice. Yes, I fully intended on penguining across the finish line. Alas, safety won out...Once the race was over, the arena also served as the meeting/cool down area, which was nice. Lots of room, and warm!

Being a 5k, there was no expo. But packet pickup was well organized and a breeze to get through. The scenery of the course wasn't great, but I chalk that up to the fact that is was a cold January day, and not later in the year when my home city is in full bloom. The course is mostly flat, with a hill that anyone who has run the Columbus Marathon (half or full) is well aware of.

Importantly, the medal is pretty solid too!

Only "issue" (and I hate to call it that) was that the water at the one aid station was frozen. But, it was 20 degrees, in January, and windy. Just glad most of it was drinkable.

All in all, a great race and a "cool" experience. **ducks** I'll show myself out...