1. prerace/packet pickup -- there is no Expo - very easy to pickup packets right before the race -- also race day registration -- easy to change from one race distance to another -- 8 1/2 hour time limit for 50K -- parking is close -- good traffic control -- we flew into boston rented a car and stayed in Keene, NH for races in NH, VT, and MA - easy driving to all races -- There are hotels in each city if you prefer --
2. Course -- in the Greenfield National Park area -- Looped course -- 6 loops for 1/2 marathon -- all paved except about 20 yards across a parking lot -- a couple of steep areas in the loops but only for about 20 yards -- support on the course is incredible - one water table -- lots of food/candy/cookies/etc -- they keep your bottle full of water or gatorade for you at the table -- benefit of the loops you pass the food/water/potties every loop --
3. Post race -- there is a pre-race dinner the nite before the race if you care to attend -- meet and greet other racers --
Overall I recommend Mainly Marathons races --

1. prerace -- easy to find race site -- parking close to start -- race day registration/packet pickup --
2. course -- looped - on a paved running/biking trail -- great course support -- one water/food/potty area -- lots of water/gatorade/food with a looped course you will come by the table alot --
3. post race -- great medal --
overall I recommend this race -- I recommend mainly marathon racing

1. pre-race --- Willard, MO is a small community about 10miles northwest of Springfield, MO. if you are coming from out of town you will need to stay in Springfield -- A close hotel is Courtyard airport -- only a few minutes to the race and check out is 12 noon --
there is no Expo -- the packet pickup is at a running store in Springfield -- you will need a car to get to packet pickup and to the race site from springfield (if you fly into springfield) -- if you drive - you are good -- there is packet pickup the morning of the race -- this is helpful if needed for late arrivals --
2. starting line -- plenty of parking at the school / bathrooms in the school and port-a-potty / staggered starts -- 50mile/50K/marathon/half marathon then 8 and 5K races ---
3. course -- the course runs on the old Frisco Railroad bed and is paved the for 2 1/2 miles then hard packed dirt for the rest of the way ---- out and back on all race lengths -- turn arounds marked well
aids stations are OK but only a couple of them but with out and back you pass each on 2 times --
the course is flat
4. shirt and medal is good
I recommend this run --- I have done this one 2 times

I liked this race -- This year the start had a temp of 14 degrees with ice and snow on the ground.
1. prerace/packet pickup -- very easy -- use the same number for the entire series -- if this is your only race of the series packet pickup/registration takes minutes -- parking is at the starting line -- plenty of parking -- easy to find -- starts on time
2. course --- trail run around Clayton Lake state park -- very scenic -- there are hills -- and the elevation is about 5200ft above sea level -- I live at 300ft -- the air is a little thin 1 mile up -- today the course was Icy/snowy at the start and when the sun melted the icy it went from slick to muddy -- but I did get to see the dinosaur tracks at the lake -- this is a loop course as are all mainly marathon races -- there is only one water stop but it is a doosy -- lots of food/candy/cookies -- you label your bottle/cup and it sets on the table and they keep it full of your favorite beverage (sorry no alcohol - I asked) -- there was chicken noodle soup and hot dogs during and after the race -- there is an 8 hour time limit for the marathon --
3. post race -- very nice bling -- and great refreshments both during and after the race -- there is a caboose trophy for last place in the half and full marathon.
I recommend one or a series of mainly marathon races -- overall this can be very serious or social event -- everyone is friendly and helpful -- you can pick up great running tips and meet lots of nice people -- one runner was running her 100th half and another his 300th marathon --

this is my first mainly marathons run --- overall I liked the exerience
1. packet pickup / expo --- packet pickup is a breeze -- you can get your packet and sign up on race day -- if you are doing a series you keep the same number during the entire series -- NO EXPO -- small numbers of runners -- finding the area was easy with GPS -- they gave GPS coodinates that you put in your GPS and went right there --- also gave very explicit driving directions.
2. course -- the race was run in a city park --- multiple loops (7/half -- 14/marathon) part was paved walking trail and part dirt walking trail -- I would call this a flat course -- there was 2 places where you had to run several steps to the top of a levee but no big thing --
3. support and water stops --- there was only one water stop -- but with the loop course you went by the water stop 2 times each loop -- they had lots to eat and drink -- before, during, and after the race -- everyone was very friendly and helpful --
I found that most everyone were repeat runners of mainly marathons and followed these races across the country -- I will be doing Clayton, NM tomorrow the next in this series --- I recommend mainly marathons -- small runs / looped course / friendly / great water stop with good food --- but if you want an expo to bad