Pros:
• Gorgeous, scenic race, with parts of course through Brandywine Park, and the waterfront along the Christina River. Also, very pretty treelined streets of the Highlands and Wawaset Park area of Wilmington!
• Really nice, big bling, with lots of pretty colors!
• Great swag... not only do you get a shirt, but you also get a hat and a pint glass!
• Awesome post-race festival at Tubman-Garrett Waterfront Park... with champagne! And water ice! And great food!
• Allows for race-day pickup

Cons:
• Only particular to this year's race, and it's always a toss up, but weather was HOT and MUGGY.
• Not too much spectator support for large parts of the course - spectators are mainly just at the park which marks the start/finish of the course
• Timing of the race may conflict with family plans, as it is largely held on Mother's Day each year.

For a detailed race report, check out my blog for this race at http://victoryheadstandrunner.blogspot.com/2015/05/race-report-delaware-running-festival.html

Pros:
• You get to run around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway -- the asphalt here is so smooth, it's as if you're running on a track. It's a 2.5 mile loop, so be forewarned, it may feel like "forever" to some... but it's a big oval!
• Super super flat. Potential to run a PR in this race.
• Well spaced out aid stations, or "pit areas" - and you can see them very easily from several hundred meters back. Toward the end, some of these pit areas are water only and gatorade only, but are only within a half mile or so of each other.
• Awesome entertainment along the course, people come out in droves... I mean... TWO line dancing groups!
• Food spread in the finish line chute is pretty top notch. AND they actually give you a bag to put it all in... first time I've ever been given a bag in thirty half marathons!
• Expo is a really nice size, and they also pull out all the stops to make it a top notch experience for all runners.
• THERE ARE MASSAGES AT THE END! :)

Cons:
• LOTS of people. Touted as one of the largest, if not the largest, half marathon in the US, this race is super super crowded, especially in the first few miles of the course. There doesn't seem to be a method to some of the corral placements, so if you're a middle of the pack runner, you may be having to dodge walkers who will sometimes walk shoulder to shoulder with others.
• Because there are so many people, there are LOTS and LOTS of corrals. It may be awhile before you actually start the race...
• Not incredibly scenic. Directly after exiting the Speedway, as well as the two mile stretch along 10th Street is one of the more forgettable parts of the race, with nothing of note to look at.

For a more detailed race report, check out my blog for this race at: http://victoryheadstandrunner.blogspot.com/2015/05/race-report-oneamerica-500-festival.html

Pros:
• Super flat course, and can be a PR for you!
• Some gorgeous sections to run through in the course, in particular, the long stretch along tree-lined 8th Street South.
• Potential for collecting extra bling, as there is a 5K the day before; if you participate in the "GoFar Challenge" of doing both, you get a third medal!
• This year's medal was very pretty, as it was the iconic Fargo Theatre marquee, but this often changes in different years of races.
• Really cool start and finish inside the Fargodome.
• The city really gets into this event, and is out there cheering for runners in droves!

Cons:
• Weather can be unpredictable. For 2015, the race was COLD - just above 30º at the start... in MAY. It's been known to be as high as the 80s in previous years.
• Fargo can also be notoriously windy. Flat terrain, yes... but without anything to really block the wind, you could be running into it if it decides to blow through!
• The start in the Fargodome can mess with your GPS, not grabbing the satellite signal until you finally get outside.
• If you're used to regular aid stations at just about every mile, be prepared that there may be less at this race. The first aid station didn't pop up until about mile 2.5!

For a detailed race report, check out my blog for this race at: http://victoryheadstandrunner.blogspot.com/2015/05/race-report-fargo-half-marathon_21.html

Pros:
• Absolutely beautiful course. The course starts and ends at Cheshire High School, but goes through the town's quaint streets and for four miles down the historically significant (and awesomely flat) Farmington Canal Linear Park.
• Race management takes great care in this race. They are active on social media and online and are very respondent to runner needs!
• Mostly flat through the park, but some rolling hills along the street runners run on heading back toward the school from mile 8 on...
• Post race massages!!!!
• Aid stations well spaced on course, with Nuun Hydration in addition to water!
• Showers on site at school locker room after finish
• For 2015, a really nice medal!

Cons:
• To be honest... really none to speak of. This was a really great race!

For a more detailed race report, check out my blog for this race at: http://victoryheadstandrunner.blogspot.com/2015/05/race-report-cheshire-half-marathon.html