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

I don't remember going to packet pickup. According to the website it is at the park, prior to the race. Parking was available at the start/finish. It was a little tight finding parking earlier in the night because of the other people using the park but by the time the race started, there was plenty of parking. The race starts at night. It was more technical than I realized and I found out that although I had brought a head lamp and carried a small flash light, I did not have enough light. Another person didn't have any though so it is possible to do. I didn't have trail shoes, and did okay as well. During the race, and even after, I wasn't sure I enjoyed it. But months later, I would not only recommend it, but maybe consider doing if it wasn't so far away. I do recommend the course, but would also recommend taking care, and making sure you have very good lighting. If you do one other race, I think you can get their "Bada**" medal. Which, I think one really deserves!

HF#11033

My daughter had skull surgery at Iowa City hospitals and we were able to stay in the Ronald House for a week as she recovered. So I was super excited to support the house by doing the race.

The packet pick up was in the Coralville Mall. Not much of an expo. I received a tech shirt that I have since worn in many other halfs and just around town. Love the shirt! The race started (and finished) right next to the Ronald house. We were able to warm up in the basketball arena and use their bathrooms. Ronald was even there!

The course went around by houses, by some parks, through the city and river, by a golf course and through a very nice wooded area. It was rolling hilly but not bad, but there was one LONG uphill section. It was probably one of my favorite races due to the different scenery. Only one section (near the end) was I unsure if i was on the right path.

The cones to cross the 4 lane road back into the Ronald House parking were being taken down right after I crossed, but there was a volunteer there for the few behind me. The course limit was 3 hours, and I finished at 2:57, my PR so far. The finish had such a huge amount of oranges that they gave me a huge bag of cut up oranges and there were juice and water. They had run out of medals however - and had told us that was a possibility. Medals were sent out for those of us who had not received one at the finish.

I would do this race again!

HF#11033

Expo was larger and had free food available. There was a LOT of people in attendance. Because I arrived later, my size of shirt was out in female so I received the male shirt. Kind of disappointed about that because I liked the pink tech shirt, but the males was acceptable as well. This was a larger field of half participants. The race had busing to the start, however I hadn't realized that I wouldn't have a ride back. It wasn't a problem for me, but there was someone who had come from far away and didn't know that. The course went from one dam to another 13.1 miles away. The course was nice and the different aid stations were so much fun. Except for one that was making fun of a runner (who was part of their group, all pretend, but still not funny). The city was very supportive. Nice course. Fun Medal.

HF#11033

Packet pickup was the afternoon (3-7PM) of race near the start/finish of race. Shirt and a small bag of swag. Also a glow necklace to wear that night. Parking available near start/finish. Half Marathon began at 9:15PM. The half marathon was 2 6.55 mile loops around Oak Ridge cemetery. It was rather hilly and curvy. The majority of the race was on a paved car path, so should be accessible (there were two sections that you went over grass though). It had poured earlier that day so it was a little slippery at certain points, but overall a good course. It wasn't too dark when it started, but, pitch black by the end. Very serene - not scary. No spectators except at the turn around/ start/ finish area. Only volunteers and racers allowed on course in the cemetery. Head lamps recommended strongly. There were over 600 blue reflectors that you followed and glowed when your light shined on them. It was a well marked course and you saw many beautiful tombs and even went by Lincoln's Tomb and could touch his nose for luck. There was one VERY well stocked aid station with drinks, mms, fruit, PBJs and other misc. You went by this aid station at least four times over the course of one loop. Imagine an X, the aid station was in the center portion of the X. They also had port a potties near the aid station. The medal was awesome because it glows in the dark!

HF#11033