This was a very well-produced race, and a great choice for my first big ultra. This would apply to any distance really since mostly share the same Start/Finish and parts of the course. Everything was just done well to create an easy snd enjoyable experience for the runners. The course was marked so well and often you couldn't get lost if you tried. Aid stations were uniformly great, fun, informative and well stocked. They even provided a menu on the website so you knew what to expect, and that website was very informative about everything else as well. The Start/Finish are was great, from fire pits and food and coffee for the pre-dawn start to a recovery area with ice baths and those air massage recovery boots.
Really the only disapointments were little things that didn't affect the race. The shirt and medal were generic and plain, especially for something sponsored by NF. The also ran out of some hot food at the finish, and I was around the top third of my distance. I did get some recovery products from the nutrition sponsor, Hammer, who was well stocked at the finish and at every aid station.
The course is great. It's a lollipop with a long forest run from Algonkian Park to Great Falls Park, 3 loops around Great Falls Park which vary in terrain, and then return home. This breaks up the distance well psychologically, and also provides a great experience for crew and spectators at the big aid station at Great Falls. My family/crew had a great time hanging out at the park and it was a great first ultra from the crew perspective as well.
Overall, it's a really nice race and a great choice for a first ultra experience. I'm glad I did it and would certainly consider repeating and doing other events in the series.