Seriously, they have a race for everyone here, a 5K on Saturday and the Half and Full on Sunday, so take advantage (and watch the mascot dash on Saturday too!).

The Expo: not huge, but not small either. I'm a half marathon fanatic member and they work with Route 66 Marathon so they have a booth set up there to boot (and we get a post race tent!). Volunteer at the expo if you can, free shirt and food if you do. The dude with the bullhorn (a Marathon Fanatic) was calling out first time marathoners whether they liked it or not!

The Course: periods of flatness, periods of hills, periods of speed bumps while doing back roads through a school. Enjoy the later parts (of the half that is) where you finally hit some of route 66. Stop and take a picture if you feel like it, well worth it!

The weather: freezing this past year for some reason! I was so not prepared for that part

Post Race: if you're a Half Marathon or Marathon Maniac, sign up early enough as a Fanatic and stop by their expo booth for a wrist band- you get a specialized bib and access to the post race tent for food and a special medal!

Apps: yes, they have an iPhone/Android app- take advantage. Good for tracking yourself or so others can track you!