So this was the first year they ran this race in Morristown. I've been a long-time fan of the Oatmeal and have wanted to run this race for EVER, so I was so excited to be part of it.

Packet pickup went smoothly, so long as you got there early. It got crowded, but what can you do? Blerches (and the Oatmeal) are awesome!

The parking situation was abysmal. We left plenty of time to get to the start-line, and it took us 20 minutes to drive .1 miles. We were caught bumper-to-bumper from one mile away from the parking lot. I wound up getting out to walk to the bus that would take me to the startline (since the startline was actually some distance from auxiliary parking). Despite this, I still missed the official half marathon start (and didn't know until I was on line for the port-a-potty at the start and heard an announcement about the 10K lining up... the 10k was supposed to start a half hour after the half). They did say that they were postponing the 10K because of the backup (since... well... the backup was their fault due to the parking fustercluck). I, therefore, started about twenty minutes after most of the Halfers, on my own, and ran the back half of the race by myself.

This wasn't so much of a big deal as the course itself. Despite being advertised as a mixed road race with a few trails, what it really was was hardcore, technical trails the ENTIRE way. I didn't terribly mind, but I did wish I had been warned so that I could prepare for such an intense and technical course. I was mostly there to enjoy the blerches and eat cake.

I'm told the aid stations ran out of both cups and water at various points, but I personally was unaffected by the shortages. They were well stocked when I arrived; though did admit to being short on cups. I'd recommend bringing your own water; or at least your own bottle.

It was pretty clear that whomever set the course hadn't run it before advertising it, and that was really the big problem. I think this is mostly a good race that suffered from some pretty serious first-year hiccups. I would definitely be back, because I'd want to see how the race grows. Hopefully they'll get the parking situations sorted before next year....

This race is a TON of fun, but there are some logistical issues you should be aware of before you sign up.

First: they claim that it's a 5K, but by my best estimate it was probably more like 2 miles tops.

Second: the race was SWAMPED. There were LOTS of people there and, while they did a great job managing how many people were on each obstacle at a given time (for safety concerns), lines were very long. The line to get into the start corral could take you about an hour; plan accordingly. If you get there early, stand in line and wait until your go time. They won't let you in to the start corral before your wave time, but you are allowed to stand next to the start corral (once you've gotten there) until your designated course appointment. I'd highly recommend planning for that.

You will get soaked. It will be awesome. Just don't bring anything on the course that you might miss if it got wet (like... say... a Garmin). Also: bring a full change of clothes (down to shoes and underwear).

The obstacles are fun rather than challenging. You may bypass any at any time with no penalty. The only one I felt was worth doing so was the "big balls" obstacle which was obviously a giant safety hazard. Basically, it's a bouncy castle with three large red balls that you're supposed to leap on top of one to the other. I didn't see a single person accomplish this; most people wiped out on the first ball. I personally got onto the first one, then crashed and burned on my way to ball two. By "crashed and burned" I mean that I fell in between the balls, cracked my back, and bashed up my chin pretty good. Skip this obstacle, you don't need it in your life.

The bib is expensive and the tee-shirt is the cheapest white cotton thing you've ever seen. You can pay to upgrade your bib packet for a tech shirt and a finisher's medal, but really who need another one of those hanging around? I wasn't willing to cough up the extra money for it.

The pictures will cost you extra as well, so be prepared. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) they will also be the best/most awesome race pictures ever because you'll be having a blast on the course. Plan accordingly.

In short: fun race, but go knowing this quid pro quos and you won't be disappointed.