We arrived in Springfield Mo slightly before 7pm (which is when they closed packet pick up the night prior to race. It was simply a packet pick up in a running store which allowed us to pick up last minute essentials, so that was helpful. The tshirt was a very nice tech type shirt with race name and all the distances (but no date, which makes sense for a smaller race). We stayed at the Oasis ramada which was on the NE side and it was still quick to get to Willard. Would definitely stay there again if I did race again.

This was my first full marathon. I was not prepared and took it easy. Since it was held in conjunction with a 50k and 50 miler that started an hour earlier, the time limit was 11 hours (12 hours for the longer races). The race started at the Willard Middle school which was open to us to warm up or use the facilities. Parking was close to the start and finish.

There was an aid station every 2.5 miles with plenty of water, tail wind mix and I think Powerade, and lots of different kinds of foods like Oreos, oranges, jello shots(?) and even ribs! The aid stations were well stocked even for this back of the packer.

The course was an out and back on the Frisco Rail Road trail. For myself, it was a little hard bc I tried to be out of the way of the faster half marathon group that started 30 mins after the full did. I dodged them until I got to the point where the half turned around. The first 2.5 miles (and last 2.5 miles) where on asphalt the rest on crushed stone and dirt. It has rained the night before but for the majority of the full marathon (except near turn around) and for all lesser distances the trail was pretty good. It was beautiful country side and lots of shade though as it warmed up the last bit (closer to town) didn't seem to have as much shade cover. I decided to include a pic of the trail. There was some absolutely stunning scenes along the trail. Most importantly that the trail was relatively flat. You didn't notice the hills (though I did notice one slightly incline near the end. Of note - there were no mile markers and the trail was not cluttered with anything so it was very picturesque. Since the aid stations were at regular intervals you could estimate where you were and they did have a sign for the turn around points.

The medal was nice with a nice ribbon that said the date and the distance. The Frisco symbol was the medal. (Though I think I do prefer some of the previous year's medals more).

It is a well done smaller race that I would love to do again.

The 2nd annual Honor Run took place on 11/15/16 (Sunday). Packet pickup was at the mall in Florence. The pickup was on Friday but conveniently for out of towners 3-9pm on Saturday night and supposedly Sunday morning. The packet consisted of a nice long sleeve tech shirt, a couple coupons for skyline chili and a sample. There was also a virtual bag that we for via email.

The race day itself was pleasant, 39F start (the year before was 19F). Sunny skies slight wind, going up to the 50s at finish. The mall was open early for us to warm up and use the bathrooms. The race was to raise money for the veteran flights to visit DC. At the beginning of the race they talked about their focus, said that they had increased by 200 participants from last year, sung the star spangled banner and we were off. There were maybe 5-10 veterans on motorbikes with flags riding with the runners that seemed to be watching out for the participants.

Every two miles there was a water/Powerade stop. There were people along the course giving out candy or tissues. No gu or other items at water stops that I saw. Port a potties were near most of the water stops. Course support was good. Lots of volunteers and cheering people considering the "cold" and rather ... Less traveled roads. We did use some of Florence's major roads, but the last part of the race (miles 5-11/12) where near the airport and on the highways coming into the city. The course to me (coming from flat central iowa) was rather rolling hills. Even some of the local participants mentioned the hills near a golf course. I didn't see the golf course but that may have been part of what I considered to be part of the airport. There was one kind of uneven area as we walked through a parkinglot at around mile 5. Overall, very good course. After the race, we did get an email stating that the cops had led us on a wrong way in the beginning and we were actually short 0.3 of a mile. According to my mapmyrun app, it said the course was 13.1, so I'm not complaining. They will fix that next year I'm sure.

From the back of the pack member, my experience was good. I knew going in that the course limit was 3 hours 20 mins. I had been doing pretty good until mile 5 when my hip went out and I had to walk the rest of it. At the end of the race, there was a cop, followed by a school bus, followed by a city vehicle picking up cones, and a street sweeper. At mile 11 the cop came up behind me and said that I had to get to a certain point in three minutes or I'd have to get on the bus. Being from out of town I wasn't sure where that was. And my hip was bothering me, I was really hoping and okay with getting in the bus. But I tried jogging a bit. The cop asked someone near me what time he had (2hr50 mins) and at that point the cop I'm assuming figured we were close enough to finish. The cop went ahead a little bit the other vehicles never passed us. As we got into the mall we had another .5mile or so in the parking lot to get to the finish, and at that point the cop left us and the bus passed us giving us a thumbs up sign. They were very sweet.

As I crossed the finish line, there were a lot of people standing around to cheer us in. They may have been there for the kids mile run that happened after. I received my medal, even tho I wasn't expecting one. The medal was super heavy and very nice from such a small race. There was food available, skyline chili hot dogs, oranges, bananas, chocolate milk, cookies..... An email was sent to me of my official finish time which I appreciated.

It was a very nice race and I would recommend it.

HF#11033.

I LOVED this race. I have recommend it! The expo was larger, with items that I needed. Instead of a shirt at expo, we got a beach towel. Parking was available near the start/finish. I was able to walk in the race with my daughter in a stroller. It was an amazing race, very well supported, great city, great scenery. I don't think I've had so much fun in a race yet! I did miss the finisher shirt, but they sent it to me after the fact. Any question I had, they were willing to answer. There were musicians along the course, and lots of spectators. Very nice race! BOTP friendly, seven hours available to finish.

HF#11033

This was my 21st half, and my brother's and husband's 1st. The course was through the city and also through Waterworks park, over Grayslake bridge. Very nice Des Moines city course. You received long sleeve tech shirts, misc swag in packet, nice medal, plenty of water stops. Supposedly lots of awesome finish food but I didn't partake. Lots of parking available. Start and finish in same spot.

HF#11033

This is not a race - particularly for the families of the craniosynostosis Warriors. But for those who want a nice training run, it is possible. Lots of food, bottles of water, and a shirt for awareness. Super amazing, very moving. Great to meet Cranio families. My daughter is now one year post op for CVR for right coronal craniosynostosis.

HF#11033