This half marathon had a total of 100 participants - I have never run a race that small. Titusville is a small town famous for the world's first oil well. Packet pickup the day before (also morning of) was at the race start - the Drake Well Museum. This is a beautiful area on Oil Creek. There was no expo; just line up, get your bib, some coupons, and your shirt. The shirt is a nice fitted tech shirt.

After crossing a two-way, one lane bridge to get to the museum, there was plenty of parking for the runners. Unfortunately there only were two portable bathroom on site, and I was in line right up to 2 minutes before the start of the race and didn't get to use them.

The race started promptly at 7 a.m. and wound through some local streets. There was a pretty tough hill toward the middle. Just when it started getting warm, the route moved to a bike trail and thankfully was almost completely shaded. It was very peaceful and scenic. I was alone on many stretches except for sharing the path with a chipmunk and a deer. The path did have some inclines that were pretty tough.

There was plenty of water and Gatorade on the course, and the volunteers were very friendly. There was a nice crowd at the finish cheering us across the line.

The medal was not my favorite. Kind of a wood laminate. Different for sure. But this was a very inexpensive race so I definitely think it is a good value. Post race food included bagels, watermelon, bananas, apples and oranges.

I placed second in my age group (another benefit of small races) and received a nice drawstring bag.

I see this race only becoming bigger and better in the years to come.

The expo: Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to register and run the Boston Marathon, is very involved in this race. She will sign your race bib at the expo and pose for pictures. She chats with each runner and told a little bit of her story. The expo itself is very small and was located at a mall in Niagara Falls. The swag was fantastic - tons of cosmetics, toiletries, and a full size bottle of wine!

The race: Although there is ample parking, it took a long time to actually get into the parking lot. Parking cost $10 because it was an "official" Niagara Falls parking lot. There is a short walk to the portable toilets, of which there are many -- some of which are deluxe, with fresh flowers in them!

We started a few minutes late. The beginning was very congested. This race welcomes all speeds and it took a while to spread everyone out. The course is just beautiful - right along the water. First you pass the Falls on your right and the mist is so refreshing. Then after the turn-around, the Falls are on your left and the mist feels even better because it is starting to warm up.

The race volunteers were so supportive. They were calling us all by name (from our bibs) and cheering us on. There was plenty of water and Gatorade, and there also was a station with jelly beans and orange slices.

The second half of the race is not as scenic as the first, but eventually you can hear the loud speaker and the announcing of the finishers. Kathrine Switzer was at the finish line too, high-fiving all the finishers.

Post-race: After crossing the line and receiving a very nice medal, you are given water, Gatorade, and a box containing two yummy cookies, an apple, and a banana, and a carton of chocolate milk. There is plenty of grass and shade to sit down, stretch, and relax. There also was a tent for massages.

This was a well-organized, enjoyable race, and I would do it again.

From start to finish I continue to be thoroughly impressed with this race!

Packet Pickup: I can't comment on the expo, if there was one, because packet pickup was Friday only and I came in from out of town. The race didn't start until 8:15 so there was plenty of time prior to pick up your packet at the extremely organized tables. I walked over from the host hotel* which was less than a mile away. After receiving my bib I proceeded to the beach to get my very nice shirt and clear bag to drop off. Again, very well organized. There was water available pre-race and a gentlemen on loudspeaker keeping us informed of time and other announcements. After using a porta-potty, of which there was many, I headed to the start line.
Race: In order to avoid congestion, the men and women had separate starting lines and merged after about a mile. I thought this worked quite well and if you really didn't want to be separated, they were not asking men to leave the women's start. The race started right on time which doesn't happen that often for me. This is a road race, so of course there is congestion in the beginning. Around mile 2 there was a pretty serious hill but then was a rolling course through beautiful neighborhoods and along the water. I was feeling great but at mile 8-9 two hills came into play which set me back a bit. After that it was more level to the finish.
Support: Fairfield is amazing! Not only was there water and UCAN every 1 to 1.5 miles, the residents were out with water, Gatorade, orange slices, popcorn! There were 4 or 5 sprinklers on route. Signs, cheering, it was great! I could not have asked for more. The volunteers were so enthusiastic!
Finish: The announcer read the finishers as fast as he could! People were yelling and clapping the whole length of the final stretch, which is pretty long. When I crossed the line I was handed a very nice finisher medal and proceeded to the beach for the best post race spread I have ever seen. Pizza, bread, bagels, Pure Protein bars, watermelon, oranges, bananas, apples, milk, fruit punch, banana bread, cookies, smoothie samples. Trophies are given, the band played. Too bad the weather didn't cooperate or I would have stayed much longer.
I highly recommend this race and am so glad I chose it for my Connecticut race in my 50 state challenge.
*not sure what made this the host hotel other than it being located in Fairfield.

The expo: I was surprised at how small the expo was. Really not much to see or buy. The swag bag was pretty unremarkable as well. I expected more from a women's race. The shirt was very nice, though. You also are given a tutu, which I actually wore, even though I think I am too old for that kind of thing!

The race: Branson is a great area and we had a hotel walking distance to the start line. The course was very scenic but I was spending so much time trying to climb hills I didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to! (Where I train is FLAT - I suggest some serious hill training if you sign up for this race.) It also was rainy and wind in your face. A true challenge. Plenty of water stations. Just before the finish line there are cheerleaders passing out pink boas and tiaras for a glamorous finish.

Post-race: Plenty of cheering, shirtless firemen giving the medals, and great food and drink. Some of the best food offerings I have seen after a half marathon.

It was fun but took its toll. I'm glad I did it.