Well, for a first-time event it went quite well. With approx. 370 racers, the race was a success with donations going to a local park. There was a 5K and 9K option for racers and it looped out and back through a small town called Smiths Falls. This course is a flat course and offered numerous obstacles including full-size train engines, a river, over and under's, mud, crawls, and climbs. A small vendor village was available and there were indoor facilities in the local arena. Parking was free and easily accessible on site. The local firemen helped out with water and the event was supported by numerous local companies and corporations. There were door prizes and each participant received a large medal and cotton tee. A very family-friendly event. Volunteers were in short supply and more were needed for various locations. A good blend of urban landscape and man-made obstacles kept racers actively engaged throughout the course. Local residents provided small water stations along the route and there was a nice children's play area at the main venue to entertain a younger crowd.
Recommendations: more signage, more volunteers, needed one more water station due to the excessive heat and medic tent was not clearly visible if it was on site? A good start for a first-year event and some room for improvement for the years ahead. For any train lovers, this is a must do as it has runners in and out of full-size engines at the Railways of Eastern Ontario Museum...very unique!