The 2016 Sly Fox was the 2nd running of this late April, combined half marathon & 10K event. I ran the inaugural half marathon in 2015 and even though the weather was awful (cold and very rainy) I enjoyed the run and the after party. So, with a discount incentive, I signed up again but this time for the 10K. As a middle of the pack runner, I knew that the after party was almost over when I finished in 2015; I figured by running the 10K, I would finish in time to enjoy the after party and see my friends finish their half marathons.

Parking for this race is great. The small town of St. Charles has a couple free parking decks and on street town parking was also widely available. As the town is 40 minutes from my home, I skipped early packet pickup, instead getting up an hour earlier to pick it up on race day. I was able to park close enough to the race to be able to pick up my packet, go back to my car and have about a 20 minute nap before going back to the race site. The packet was a small reusable bag with the race number and shirt. I appreciated that it wasn't stuffed with a lot of papers to just throw in the recycling bin later. The race shirt was meh.... very flimsy material and an orange/red color. Doubt I will be wearing it much.

At the race sight, the organizers get high fives for having lots of port-a- potties. No one ever had to stand in line, at all. Way to go!!!!! This is huge on race morning and more race organizers should take note. I didn't see any water available prior to the race but I honestly didn't look too hard for it.

The Sly Fox Half started right at 7 AM after the singing of the National Anthem. The young woman who sang it had a nice voice but unless you're Beyonce, you probably shouldn't rewrite the tune. It was kind of an odd rendition. After the half marathoners took off, we had 20 minutes until the 7:20 AM 10K start time. Enough time to use the port-a-potties again, take group pictures, etc. And then we were off ...

I knew this was a hilly course from last year but I forgot just how hilly it really is!!! The week before, I ran the Rockdale Ramblin Run 10K billed as the "Hilliest 10K in the Midwest". I think they are going to have to give that up and let the Sly Fox have that title. For the first 3.5 miles, this course just climbs. I have been doing a lot more hill work and didn't struggle too much but some of my stronger runner friends started to drop back and walk. At the turn around (this is an out and back course), the uphills became downhills and it was fun to pick up some speed and run down them. As I ran by people still working their way up that last, really steep hill, I could tell people were really feeling the hills. The Sly Fox course runs through the downtown streets of St. Charles, then a small industrial park, a town park and then a beautiful, affluent neighborhood with big lots and nice trees. There were a few people out to cheer us and it was just a beautiful morning.

A couple of comments though on the race. One, aid stations over 2 miles apart on a 10K are way too few!! I've run 5K's with two aid stations. I carried my own water, which I would prefer not to, because on a hilly course, on a warm day, I need more water. I would suggest four aid stations, 2 on the way out and 2 on the way back - that really would just be one more but would really enhance this race. Two, many more course marshalls are needed. Turns were missed and I felt unsafe running one segment of the race where we had a small area coned off in two way traffic. It was really hard to get around slower runners and the cars really were not paying attention to us.

Finally, the after party. I love the Sly Fox after party as it is held in a big bar (Alley 64) and the beer is Sam Adams. On a cold (or rainy) April morning, it is nice to get inside after the run instead of freezing in sweaty clothing outside. I appreciate having a decent beer and personally, I love the hot dogs, hamburgers and chips after the race. Some people were disappointed that there were no bananas or bagels but I for one am happy to have some real food after the race.

One note, this year the Half Marathon course was screwed up and most runners only ran 12.1 miles. Lots of people are angry about it and swear they won't run it again. The race directors have acknowledged their mistake and vow to correct it in 2017. I will definitely run it again, maybe the half again next year. Hopefully, they will learn from these mistakes and it will be a great race - like it was in 2015.