I did this race first in 2014 for the half marathon distance. I loved it so much I decided it would be my first full. The course is mostly flat, with a few inclines and a bridge to cross. You mainly run on the road, but if you do the full you also run on the Katy Trail. Its a flat trail system that used to be railroad lines. Since they were no longer used for the railroad system, they have been converted to a trail system for bikers and runners. Its flat with pea gravel or paved areas. The course only offers water and gatorade. The expo has been growing over the years. This year had many vendors and I believe they are looking to add more next year. They have a MOtivational mile right when half marathoners are needing it the most, along mile 10. Mile 10 is one of the few places in the course that has elevation. It is a steady incline, with a significant decline mile 11-12. The motivational mile really is a great place for family and friends and it's nice to see all the support cheering you on. If you do the full, they have you run across a bridge (you are on a running path) and into a different county. You also cross into a small tunnel. The start and the finish take place in old historic area of St. Charles. Being the race is held in October in Missouri, weather is always in question. Usually since its the first Sunday in October, the weather is perfect for runners. They offer beer and food to the runners at the end. There is a VIP section you can buy into. I did not do that. They do have bands that play and Chuck, the cow with abs as the mascot can be viewed before and after a race. He loves pictures. This year they made a giant cowbell and allowed the runners to "ring the bell" for any accomplishment! You betchya I rang that bell good! I had just finished my full and I was ecstatic! I also had an injury during training, so to finish made me happy. I had to deal with runners knee that popped up at the Go Girl Half in KC Labor Day weekend. I was not able to get in my 20 miler, nor was I able to run for more than 2 weeks before the race. I think since this course was flatter, I did not have the inflammation pop up and problems begin really until mile 23. By then I knew i would finish and I was fine with walking the rest! You get a shirt, a bag, and a cowbell in your swag! You can also win more by registering with an ambassadors code. I am an ambassador for this race. I only applied to be an ambassador because I liked it so much! My code for 2016 is JACKDCB16. I will definitely be back for the race net year, but distance depends on my healing. Definitely fun running this race. They offer a 5k, half marathon, marathon, and half marathon relay. I went down with a group of girls. One other was doing the full, one was doing the relay and one did the 5k. The two doing the shorter distances said they had just as much fun doing the race as they did cheering for the marathoners on the course. They sat on the benches near the Katy and cheered people on. It was great! HF#11286

I was sucked into this race by a friend who lives near the area. We made it in time to get to the corral to line up and be off. The race was on roads and a paved trail system. Pretty sure there was a guy fondling himself on a park bench during the race. A few guys were called over to get the guy. Not sure of the outcome as I was running. Aid stations could have been better and more. It was mid 80's out and even though I knew there were aid stations I still carried a bottle of water in my skirt pocket. Good thing I did, as I needed it. During the run on the trail, the turn around point seems silly. you basically turn around a cone and go back. You also have to cross IN FRONT of runners coming from the opposite direction so you can continue on up a hill. They should navigate that differently so no one is colliding or near missing. The back portion of the race is ran directly into the sun. No cover. you are out in the open and go from running near residential area (no trees close) to running in a commercial area near and in the area of the start. I guess if it wasn't so hot and humid, it might not be as big of a deal, but this day, many felt the effects from the sun. Mile 10 I was feeling good (just started using Hammer Stix) I really think the salt replacer helped on this day. I can't do gatorage or some of the other drink options. Mile 11 my knee had swelled and I hobbled to the finish after that. I had succumb to the dreadful runners knee. I finished in 2:06 something. I was pretty much headed straight to the therapy tent and nothing else mattered. Well, I did snag my big ass medal and a cold dripping sponge, but thats it. Got worked on, in pain, but stopped by the food. Food was great!!! Many options for runners. Delicious. One other downfall I noticed. We couldn't find scotty potties. They had indoor restrooms by the theater, which yes are nice. They are not so nice, however, when your are injured and in the finish area and the only bathroom is more than a block away and up the escalator. I would have taken a stinky port-a-potty on that day. The indoor potties also made it part of the reason we barely made it to the start. With just a few stalls and 99% all women race, the line was HUGE!!! They need to rethink that for the future. HF#11286

I actually ran the 3-way, not just the half marathon. I was also injured with a slight hamsting tear, so I was considerable slower than normal. In the end that made it better. I got to experience the race and not just "run it". The participation from the crowd was phenomenal. Every mile had live entertainment of some kind to keep you going. Some of the aid stations and stations in between had different kinds of fun foods from sweedish fish to orange slices (real fruit) to bacon. The expo was ginormous! We walked away with bags of freebies and many great deals. Our hotel was in walking distance. The only downfall I could see is the parking if you are not staying close by. The after party also was hands down best yet. So many more freebies, everyone happy to be there, beer, bands, a bell to ring. Chili cheese fries...best! It was the perfect time of year. Nice cooler weather, and leaves forming on the trees made some of the scenery very pretty. The fact you run across bridges and into Kentucky made it even more fun. This is my favorite race ever. I will be back to do this race again.
HF#11286

I only did this race to add a state and because hey, who doesn't like the bling. The medals are pretty spectacular. Large, glittery, and a cute little "scene" of Wizard of Oz. The shirts on the other hand, while being super soft and nice, if you are long waisted or heck even normally waisted, it may be a little short for you. We stayed at a hotel just a few miles form the start. Knowing there was construction we wanted to ride one of the shuttles the race provided to runners and spectators.
The expo was nothing more than 2-3 people in the lobby of the Hilton. I can remember the pick up for your bag and shirt, the place that can engrave your medal and outside they had some t-shirt sales. We weren't there more than 5 minutes. Our emails that we received about the expo and race morning had said the shuttles pick up riders at the Hilton and the Hampton Inn. We stayed at the Hampton and upon check in I asked where we meet the shuttle at. The receptionist had no idea what I was talking about. A group of people had walked over from the Holiday Inn and had asked the same question. Receptionist again, looking stunned, said she had no idea. No effort made to find out. I told the group what info I had in my email.
Day of the race...again the morning receptionist had no idea there was a shuttle. Many runners had waited in the lobby and since the receptionist had no clue, they walked over to the Hilton. I asked her to call someone to find out, as I had company with me that would be taking the shuttle later (was to be offered until 9am for guests and until 2 pm for returns from the race) She seemed displeased I asked her to do that. She called Hilton and from the conversation I heard no one was for sure. Then she told me I had to walk over there. So I did, only to get on the bus to be shuttled back over to my hotel, in which you could hear all the groans from the runners who had just walked over! I blame that snafu on the race directors. Apparently someone forgot to get the info out to the hotels on what was going on.
Race...was not as flat as advertised, but nothing major. It was windy that day and of course being in April and in Kansas, storms started to occur. Course was o.k. It ran through a residential neighborhood, a long a few busy streets, and a paved trail. The trail seemed nice, unless you were doing the marathon or a back of the packer when the rain hit. The course was marked, however there were several questionable spots that someone could have gotten off course. Being you are running at Garmin head quarters, you would have thought marking the course would have been a no brainer...maybe they could have even made it fun. I finished while it was sprinkling. Right after my finish, I met up with my husband who of course couldn't get a ride on the shuttle and had to drive and park far away. The rain gushed! It got windy. I wanted to grab my goodies and go. My husband just wanted us to go. We headed into the tent with the food and my husband was told he could not enter the tent because he wasn't a runner. He told them he wasn't taking anything, but he had his expensive camera and didn't want to be forced to stand in the rain. They told him sorry, but you can't come in the tent. He got mad, went to the car. I grabbed my food and snagged my 2 beers and ran to the car as well. It truly was pretty crappy, because if you were not a runner, apparently you were suppose to stand in the rain/storm while waiting, even though they had tents. Ridiculous! I can say I probably won't be back, unless its just to improve my 2:03 whatever time. Not a pr, but not far off. Oh and I don't suggest the Hampton Inn if you choose to go and stay. You will hear every word coming from people outside the building, or in the hall, or even in the next room. I did not get much sleep... Overall, it was a cool medal and the finish food and what they had planned would have been great (except for weather and how they treated nonrunners). I wish they had a neutral for recommending a race on this page. I wouldn't recommend it, but I'm not going to say it was a complete bad race either. My experience from this one was tarnished from the hotel staff, not knowing anything, and the staff at the race on how my husband was treated. My picture is right after my finish and right before it gushed! (my husbands fish-eye lens is not recommended for runners lol) HF#11286