A small race through Middle Tennessee's farm country that might be the last half in Tennessee before it gets too hot in June. When I say small, I mean small! Viola is basically just a square and has a population less then 100 people. I think the race had an attendance record this year with a little over 300. The town really supports the runner though as there was a couple of people cheering every quarter mile or so it seemed. Most runners say the race shirt is probably among the better you will find as it is typically two toned which makes it a step above most. A couple of women from my home running group did make note that shirts were men's cut and next yr they should try to get a women's cut as well. Aid stations are every 2-2.5 miles and volunteers are all local. There is also a contest for best station so while water and Gatorade are provided by the race, most have something else extra to make them stand out. Course scenery is all rural farm country, from cattle farms to hay fields to soy fields. The only "city" part of the race is the start and finish on the Viola square. There is no expo, just a packet pick-up that I would recommend you attend the morning of unless you are in or around Viola. Elevation is not difficult but nothing is really flat in Tennessee. Course has nice rolling hills from start to finish and maybe one heavy breather around mile 8. They warn you to arrive early because parking is limited but I think they were able to fit everyone in a grass field behind their old tractor pull arena. I got there 45 minutes before start and was probably among the first there beside the people manning packet pickup. Race management uses Facebook for most of their communication but do send an email out the week of the race with specifics. They had an issue with online registration through Active this yr and not being able to pick shirt size but I emailed the race director and had a reply back within an hr and it was taken care of.

Overall, a decent half if you are looking for one in May but I would not suggest traveling a long distance for this one. Most runners are from within an hr drive in Middle TN and Northern Alabama.