I ran this challenge as a BibRave Pro.

Friday night I went to the Expo at 4:30pm soon after opening, the hours were 4-8pm. The expo was easy to find, as it was located at the University of New England, and also location for our Start/Finish on Saturday and Finish line Sunday. The race also had sent out emails and FB posts regarding their phone app for all race information, and runner tracking. The expo had a handful of vendors, but I really didn't need anything and wanted to get outside to the local State Park trails and beach before sunset. The Packet Pickup had no lines :) I was handed my bib and went to the T-shirt/ Challenge jacket line. The volunteer was very nice, but informed me they were already out of Women's small jackets? I was disappointed and said "already? I ordered it, and the pickup just started?" She went over to the merchandise section where they were selling jackets? Someone probably bought my jacket that was already ordered? I wasn't to happy with this process, and ended up with a Mens, but the arms are long etc.. as I'm petite. The volunteer said there would be NO More over the weekend, when I asked if I could come back to switch. She said I should email the race director after the race. I was then handed my T-shirt, stickers, pins and dropped something, so I asked for a bag. The volunteer said I should of received one with my bib, so I proceeded back over, but was informed you needed to be VIP to receive one, I asked just for a plastic bag, but none around unless I purchased something else? I'm always trying to be green and recycle, but I only had a wallet in my pocket and usually you get your items in a plastic drop bag, or have the opportunity to get one. I know this may seem small, but it rubbed me the wrong way to receive the wrong size jacket and not even a plastic bag to put my items in. Registration for the challenge is 170.00. I feel the 39.3 Women's Small, challenge jacket should have been put aside in a plastic bag/or drop bag to reserve, and AFTER the race if any jackets are left, people could purchase. I believe my jacket was SOLD? I bought the T-shirt which was an Additional 12.00 I left the expo and went to the State park and beach before heading to the hotel.

Saturday half marathon was very easy to park, plenty of spaces and only a few minutes to walk. They had plenty of Port o johns with minimal waiting if any. They started on time with the official blowing of the conch.

The course was open to traffic, but went smoothly with volunteers. It was on nice quiet roads, so there was no issues with cars, but some of the runners would run in the middle of the road, I had to yell out to them for their safety multiple times, the cars were fine. The course was beautiful and flat. We ran through some beautiful neighborhoods and along the ocean. Course support had water, gatorade and some fresh fruit.

Finish Line Saturday was beautiful and sunny! The food tent was supplied with mini bagels, watermelon, bananas, oreos, yogurt, peanut butter, and pretzels. Shipyard Brewery was there with a selection of beers to choose a can from.

They had several vendors at the finish line, with giveaways. Organic juices and Maple water were a few.

I received a wonderful Massage before heading over to the beer tent :)

I'm not one much for the bling, but loved the medals :) They also handed out filled Maine Coast Marathon water bottles.

Sundays Marathon was in the 40's raining, and windy :) But I absolutely loved the course, I'm sure its gorgeous on a dry clear day! The volunteers were AMAZING :) So enthusiastic and motivating on such a tough day. The aid stations were every 2 miles. The volunteers at every location went above and beyond to help and motivate, I remember mile 7 (rice crisps treats wrapped) , 12 Peanut butter filled pretzels, and OMG 22 with the hot chicken broth, I have to say every aid station was well stocked.

I was very cold when I finished so I left pretty quickly after finishing, plus it was mothers day, so I went to visit my Mom.

I do love all the FREE race photos with logo.

The race is pretty active on FB and Instagram if you want to follow them.

This was my first time running this race, and have heard wonderful things about it. I registered knowing I was not going to race it, since I was running Blue Ridge Marathon the day before. I was visiting family in the area, and figured it would be a good post marathon shake out run, and a chance to see a few local friends.

Pacers Running store did a fantastic job promoting the race on social media and had a great phone app with all the information you needed. I went to the Alexandria location the weekend before for packet pick up and picked up a few items for 20% off, and the DC flag shirt. The goody bag had some wonderful coupons for local shops and restaurants. I like expos and packet pickups at running stores, since you have the chance to pick up items you may not have packed and the 20% off sale was a nice perk.

I drove up race morning from Stafford, Va and parked at the free lot on Eishenhower, and took the shuttle to the start. The start was at Mt. Vernon, George Washington Memorial Parkway. The location is beautiful, and they had a very enthusiastic announcer, which pumped us up. There was hot coffee, muffins and bananas for everyone. It was cold, and they handed out heat sheets which was a nice perk, since I've only received them post run before. There was plenty of port o johns, bag drop off, and free photos with NPS.

The race was a beautiful flat course along the water, and well stocked water stops with gatorade and water. The volunteers, runners and spectators were all so friendly and happy!

The post celebration at the park was beautiful and sunny! Which was a treat since it was forecast for rain. There was a beer garden, kids zone, vendors, goody box with salt and sweet samples.

I then took the post run shuttle back to my car, which was a 2.5 mile walk, and would have walked but needed to get back to the family. I have to say, with all the runners the logistics was so smooth. The busses were clean, quick and easy access. They actually had 3 locations to pick from. Free parking and shuttles really was a nice perk.

I now know why my VA friends rave about this race! It was so very well organized, fun and scenic! Put this race on your list, I highly recommend it.

I was excited to go back after enjoying last years race. This year the weather was cloudy and some showers, so it seemed like there were less people.

I'm not sure if there was much at the expo Friday night, as I arrived Sat. morning, but there was less vendors than last year, probably due to the rainy and cool forecast.
I arrived about an hour before the start and had no problem parking in one of the lots directed by a volunteer. It was only steps away from the start/finish at Jilson Square. I then went to Packet Pick up with just a few people in front of me, they had plenty of fast volunteers that kept the line going. The shirt was a nice BibRave orange color, and a personalized bib number. Chip timing, which is nice. There were plenty of port o johns, so not too long of a wait there either. I love the small town races with less crowds, I guess there were about 500 participants over all distances.

The start went off well and on time (8am):) There were plenty of volunteers and police on the course, so even with the roads open it was safe and plenty of room. Support stations were so enthusiastic with water, gatorade, and Gu on 2 locations. The course started out at Jilson Square and we headed up the Main St. towards a nice trail for about a mile and then some nice small rolling hills around farm areas and friendly neighborhoods. I like the nice mixture of terrain on this one.

At the finish this year it was small due to the weather, I do like the running frog finishers medal. We were given nice jackets (throw away mylar type). I did miss the massage tents, but understand with the weather. I was happy to see the Farmers Cow again with ice cream and chocolate milk :) They gave me a half gallon to take home again this year.
I ran with my friend Jennifer from NY, and she was also happy to have registered with me. We had several friends at the finish line, and all headed over to Willimantic Brewery for post run refreshments and beer. I had the best homemade veggie burger!!! Delish...

I was excited to see this race listed during my already planned girls birthday weekend with 3 other friends! This was my first time visiting Nashville, and I really had a blast! My friend Wendy also ran the half marathon with me, Trisha and Paula had fun supporting and being there at the finish line.

We all went to the Expo first thing Friday morning to have the rest of the day to go to Goo Goo Chocolate, Johnny Cash museum, the Grand Ole Opry and more. Our hotel was only a mile from Expo/Start and half a mile from finish line. The Clarion had a free shuttle service from 8am-9pm each day, so we took the free shuttle over and used Uber for other locations. Friday night we went to the Jake Owen Concert at Ascend Amphitheater, and it was so cool sitting outside and enjoying the views of Nashville and listening to 3 bands.

Saturday we got up at 5 am, and the hotel had a full breakfast ready for all of us runners, we then walked about a mile to the start and it was already 76 degrees! It was a great decision for the race to move the start up a half hour earlier due to temps reaching 90 degrees. It was very crowded at the start, and throughout the course, with over 30,000 runners. The start line had corrals for people to enter, and the church was open for runners to use bathrooms and was air conditioned, but we wanted to stay outside to acclimate to the warmth. The course was very well stocked with water, gatorade, sponges, oranges, and some water stops had ice. They had plenty of port o johns throughout the course, and amazing and enthusiastic volunteers. I was running with my friend Wendy who has been going through therapy, so we were going just for fun, and due to the heat it made us stay at a slower pace. I loved my Buff, as I would get ice and cold water and keep around my neck throughout the run.

Finish line was a beautiful sight, as my stomach was funky due to the heat. I did grab the Chocolate milk and pretzels, but gave to my friend as the heat made me loose appetite. It was sweet to just walk 10 minutes or so to our hotel. I didn't wear a watch or GPS as I knew we would be walk/jog/running the course. My friend Wendy was emotional and excited to cross the finish without pain, and I was so happy to be by her side. We met our other 2 friends for post race photos and celebration,

We went back to our hotel showered, and went to the Nashville Zoo, and an amazing Cuban restaurant and had a great Quinoa/avocado/salad :) We really fit a lot into the 3 night stay. I was surprised how much there was to see and do there, we all plan on a return trip to the area and I highly suggest the race for a fun racecation.

Expo/Packet Pick up: I drove down from MA, so I went on Thursday afternoon to avoid traffic. There was no line to get in at 2:00 which was sweet! It was very quick and easy to get my bib and t-shirt, also no lines. I like the women's cut t-shirt and design. There were several fun locations to take free photos at Brooks, Toyota, Geiko and more. We stopped by the Toyota location inside to make a fun Video which I actually seen while running, super cool. They also personalized my shirt, and gave me a pair of flip flops when I showed my Toyota car keys :)
On the way out I test drove the Toyota Rav4 and received a $10 Gift Certificate for Starbucks. This time I didn't need to buy anything, but if you needed anything it was there. They also had an extra sale on clothing due to the low temps.

Pre-race: Due to the fact the marathon starts at 7am, and the Metro wasn't open, I had my Dad drop me off a block from the start at 6:15am which was super easy, and not much traffic at all at that time. OMG! Cold wind chill at 6:15am, but beautiful sunrise. It was a sweet treat to see Dunkin Donuts there giving away free hot coffee samples. There was also tables with bottle water and bananas. There were lots of porta-johns with minimal wait time. UPS was there for another no line gear drop off. They did have Corrals and Pacers, which seemed to go very smoothly.

Course: Start line was busy but didn't seem over congested at all. I was surprised all the bands were out in the cold, as there were not many spectators. They had amazing volunteers at the aid stations. There was plenty of water, gatorade, gu, blocks, sports beans etc.. throughout the course. The neighborhoods were very friendly and supportive near the end, some handed out donuts, fruit, and even a location with champagne and whiskey :)

Post Race: I have to admit, I was so cold when I finished I couldn't stop shivering. I did change into dry clothes in the women's changing tent (which was a nice perk). They did hand out sweet medals, heat sheets, water and gatorade. UPS was right there with another no wait wait. The post food was pop chips, choc. milk, granola bars, and bananas. I was actually too cold to take off my gloves and eat or get my free beer. They also had food trucks there with Pizza, sandwiches and more. Of course, the post concert which was good. I walked over to the finishers tent to pick up my Marathon Finishers jacket which was awesome! I only wish the weather was warmer so friends and I could have hung out and had some cold brew, but I just wanted to get inside where it was warm. I opted for taking the metro to Springfield/Franconia which was only steps away from the finish line, which made it super easy.

I highly recommend this race! I'll be back next year, sign up now for best prices. I'm also registered for the Rock and Roll Nashville Half Marathon, and now even more excited.