I ran this race for the first time in 2019 and was impressed. The Woodlands Marathon/Half Marathon is the last race I ran in 2020, and it was a great experience. The race is well organized and with a good number of people running the race. As a back of the packer, I never felt alone. I love running this race on the tree-lined huge streets because it doesn't feel like you're running through a large city. It's a great way to run a city with a rural race feel.

The expo:
You must pick up your packet the day before at the race expo if you don't pay for the minimal race day pickup. The race day pick up sells out fast, so if you want it and it's available, get it. The expo is small and takes just a few minutes to get through, but there are lots of freebies along the way. I got some "race dots," a number holder belt, and a visor. The swag for this race is great. The finisher shirt is one of my favorites.

Area to stay:
There are many hotels near the start line. The prices vary for what you're willing to pay. I waited until the week of the race to get my hotel, and it was less than a mile from the expo/start, and the price was reasonable. Staying closer was the best decision I made because finding parking on race day is difficult, and you have to get there EARLY. Many locals run this race, so many people are looking for parking spots.

The race:
There are corrals at the start, which are genuine. The corrals have opening and closing times. The race always starts on time, and as I mentioned before, there is a significant number of people who run this race. The streets are wide so that you won't be running on top of people and there isn't any jam up at the start. You are running on roads, and it's not the most exciting but running through The Woodlands and finishing on the Waterway is nice. The aid stations were always ready with water.

The finish:
The finish is my favorite part of the race finishing on the Waterway and everyone cheering you. It's very serene and an excellent finish in a pretty place. The finish area is large, and there's a lot of food to enjoy—tacos, ice cream, beer, pizza, and of course, your finisher shirts. There are many tables to sit down to eat, and it's a great party on The Waterway. There is a lot of walking involved to get back to your car, but it's nice to have a bit of recovery. The atmosphere is family fun in the end. It's an overall great experience. The medal and finisher shirt are some of the best around. There are no dinky medals here.

Run this race if you can. The price tag is a bit steep, but it has all the perks you want in a race.