This was my first half marathon back in 2013, and every year has been better and better. My plan is to complete the five year Big Bang Series, so I have one more year to go.

T-SHIRTS/SWAG - This race offers gorgeous, long-sleeve, gender specific tech shirts. The sizing can be a little wonky, but I've been able to make it work. Runners get a virtual goody bag with some great discounts and offers and a moon pie at the expo. Finishers will receive a lovely beach towel and one of the nicest medals ever. Heavy, beautiful ribbon, and paying homage to some of the great shuttles of our time.

AID STATIONS - The half marathon course is privy to a ton of official and unofficial aid stations. The officials have cheering volunteers from the race or different organizations, water, Gatorade, Gu, and a candy station for the marathoners. The unofficial? They have bacon, eggs, beer, bourbon, oranges, mimosas. It's really quite lovely.

COURSE SCENERY - The half marathon course is pretty much an out and back along the river. On one side, runners are treated to the the sun rising over the water (and yes, sometimes there are dolphins). On the other are some ridiculously gorgeous homes. There's always something to see.

EXPO QUALITY - We got to the expo on the later side this year, so I think things were breaking down a little. It seemed a bit smaller, and the only thing I really needed to get was some extra Gu. All the usual suspects were on hand for a race this size. I'm not much of a shopper, so nothing for me, really.

ELEVATION DIFFICULTY - The course is pretty flat. There are some minor rolling inclines that I usually don't feel, but because of my injured hip, I was more sensitive to them.

PARKING/ACCESS - Most years, we have taken the shuttle bus from the hotel to the start line because of the tenuous parking situation. Cocoa is not a huge town, and therefore doesn't have space to accommodate droves of cars. The race caps the number of runners to help manage this (as well as course crowding). The year we did park, we arrived at an even more ridiculously early hour than we would have with the bus, and it was tough just waiting around for something to happen.

RACE MANAGEMENT - Fabulous. This is an event that has lots of great amenities and perks. The course is well measured and marked and the half sells out quickly because there is a strict capacity. Gear check is easy and efficient. The race starts with a NASA style countdown on the big screen. Plenty of post race photos opps and entertainment. Runners can get coke/diet coke, beer, water, bananas, pizza, pancakes and eggs. And there is a ton for everyone. It's really nice to spread out in the little park at the finish line, enjoy the breeze off the water, and watch the marathoners come in.

It will be hard letting this one go after 2017, but it does fall on Thanksgiving weekend during a very busy time of year, and it might be time to try something else. We'll see :)

I have a serious love/hate relationship with this race. On the one hand, the 10 mile distance is perfect for my training cycle, the course is lined with pumpkins (that finishers can take home), the medal is always glow-in-the-dark and you get to run through the oldest, most historic cemetery in Jacksonville. On the other, the 8AM start is kind of late for the weather, and it is always more humid and hot than I care to deal with.

This race inevitably sells out before race morning, which leaves a lot of people disappointed, but the course isn't huge and needs to be capped. It's definitely can't accommodate more, so it's something where people just need to sign up in advance and not wait til the last minute.

T-SHIRTS/SWAG - Gender specific tech shirt and custom medal. Both are very nice quality.

AID STATIONS - There are several along the course, providing water. Because of the humidity at this race, I would really love it if there was some Gatorade, but I know to bring my own.

COURSE SCENERY - While running through a cemetery may seem a little strange, this is one of those cemeteries that is absolutely stunning. Old iron gates, beautiful tombstones, ivy covered brick walls, and gorgeous memorials. It's so peaceful, and runners stay on the designated paths to remain respectful. The first 5K of the race goes through the cemetery, and then the runners spend the next 4 miles running two out and backs, one along a train route, and the other along the perimeter of the cemetery. The final 5K is a repeat of the first.

EXPO QUALITY - No expo. Packet pickup at any 1st Place Sports store or on race morning.

ELEVATION DIFFICULTY - Other than parts of the course where it is a little more crowded, this is a fairly flat and easy course.

PARKING/ACCESS - There is limited parking within the cemetery gates, and then street parking along the side. If you arrive early, you have your choice of spots, but later in the mornings, it can be a far walk to the start line. Parking inside the gates also means you are stuck until the race is over, so for people who are in the front of pack and need to be on their way, street parking its the way to go.

RACE MANAGEMENT - Despite my issues with the time and the weather, this race is handled very well. The pumpkins along the route give a really nice Halloween feel. There is beer and water, bagels and bananas at the finish line, and people seem to hang out for a while afterwards. I do wish there were more portapotties - the last two years, we got stuck in the long lines, ended up having to start the race, but stop at the 5Kish mark to do our business (we pass the bathrooms while running) before getting back to business. Partially our fault, but considering how many people are in those lines, a few more wouldn't hurt.

I do recommend this race, at least once. And I will most likely be out there again for it. Just because I can't say no :)

I was really excited to give R'n'R Philly a go - I had a friend in the area, and was able to score a reasonable flight, so everything lined up.

I opted to only run the half marathon, although I had major FOMO after seeing the 5K shirt and medal. Next time, I would totally do the challenge.

Overall, the race was amazing. The weather was awful (totally unpredictable, but it was fabulous running weather on Saturday and then hot and muggy on Sunday. Boo), and the course was a little hillier than I thought. Of course, coming from Florida, everything is a little hillier than I think it will be.

T-SHIRTS/SWAG - Awesome Brooks tech shirt and beautiful Liberty Bell medal. R'n'R provides great bling and I was really happy with it.

AID STATIONS - Abundant. There was plenty of water and Gatorade, even for the middle and back of packers (I was running injured, so we were slow slow slow). Fuel was provided at one of the stops, and there were several medical aid stations, so I was able to grab a Tylenol and Gatorade with extra salt. It made the miles a little more tolerable and I was grateful for the assistance.

COURSE SCENERY - the first part of the race was in downtown Philly. I love urban racing, so it was cool to be in the middle of such a historical place. After that, we ran what was basically an out-and-back along the Schuykill River, which was gorgeous, with fall foliage and stone bridges.

EXPO QUALITY - R'n'R expos always deliver - plenty of merchandise and vendors. Loved getting to browse some of the really cool items. Everything was well organized and packet pickup was easy.

ELEVATION DIFFICULTY - It wasn't Florida flat, but it is touted as a flat and fast race. I'll give it that.

PARKING/ACCESS - We stayed in a hotel about 3/4 mile from the start line, so for us, it was very easily accessible. I'm not sure how thinlgs would have differed if we had to drive in and park on race morning.

RACE MANAGEMENT - On point. Great course entertainment, great support, great amenities. The bands were a little more mellow than other R'n'R events I have run, but that was ok.

This was my first attempt at a trail race, and it was an amazing one. While it was about an hour from home, it was an easy drive. The field was small so there wasn't any crowding along the route.

T-SHIRTS/SWAG - All participants received a soft, cotton t-shirt in their packets. Finishers received a HUGE medal, and a logoed beer glass at the end of the race.

AID STATIONS - There was one manned water stop at the halfway point..

COURSE SCENERY - Gorgeous! The woods ran along the river, and there was a mix of tree-lined paths and waterfront views. It was cold enough to ensure there were no mosquitos or stinging bugs, which was great.

EXPO QUALITY - No expo.

ELEVATION QUALITY - The course was a combination of hard dirt, grass, gravel and some small roots. Not incredibly technical, but perfect for a first-timer.

PARKING/ACCESS - Free, open parking at the trailhead. It was pretty dark getting into the preserve, but there were plenty of signs to indicate the way.

RACE MANAGEMENT - Superb. The race crew and volunteers were friendly and welcoming. I had an issue with my registration (my husband signed me up for the half instead of the 5K) and the race director was happy to fix it for me, which I appreciated.

Race was gun-timed, which was ok due to the small amount of participants. Post-race was set up along the river, with plenty of beer, rice and beans, cookies and pretzels.

I hope to be able to run others in this particular trail race series. It was the perfect first experience.

For full details, visit http://runswithpugs.com/2016/01/20/race-report-13-1-at-princess-place-5k-1-9-2016/