So let's talk first about the start line. So I bought the $5 bus pass to take me from the finish line to the start line. Certainly a must. It was so easy to get to the buses and it was less stressful than trying to drive around an unfamiliar area early in the morning and park your car. Or even get dropped off. The bus dropped us off and there was a huge tent waiting with coffee and hot cocoa. Inside was warmer, not cause of heaters just cause it was a cold & windy morning. This company also does raffles in the morning. They give away some sweet swag. Even race entries, so get there early!
So it's go time. They had a drone flying around filming us as we ran this course. This video was well made and pretty cool to watch the run and then see yourself in it, is a sweet bonus!
So when that sun came up, Wow, what an awesome view we had running this course. Mountain landscaping all around.
There were a small amount of crowd cheer along the course, some passer by's in a car and others standing roadside by their car. This was a shared course with cars. Aid stations were well equipped and had very cheerful helpers. This companies races are cup free, their system is very easy to use and they give you a beverage holder (can see in picture posted) if you don't have one.
Our last few miles we ran through a neighborhood and then onto the side walk (I will talk later about this) to the finish line.
The finish line was awesome my hubby volunteered to hand out finisher medals. It was quite sweet for my husband to hand me my bling. The only problem I saw with the finish line was they had their volunteers standing way too close to the finish line. Me I need to catch my breath and gather some thoughts before I get my medal. They had a box of goodies, some chocolate milk waiting for y at the finish area. The area they had the finish line at was awesome, tons of space for you to move around or sit and enjoy this breathtaking scenery.
This company has great placement awards (more bling) they go 5 deep in the age group and have a men/women's masters division. So check your placement before you take off. They always post the results somewhere in the area of the finish.
Let's get back to where I said we ran on the sidewalk to the finish. When I finished and had time to rest I went up to where my son (volunteer) was directing people to proceed down the hill to the finish line. At the 2.5 - 3 hour mark this sidewalk became a pedestrian walk way for those leaving the event. There was of course runners still coming in and they had to deal with strollers or people who just didn't care and didn't pay attention to the runners still coming in.
Overall this is a 4.5 star race and I would do it again and again. Highly recommend touring this very scenic area. This company also puts on challenges after your run. You have 72 hours to complete and one of the challenges you can earn 50% off your next years race registration. Bonus!