I have run this race many times in the past years. The one thing I really like is the small golden turkey trophies for the age group winners. The overall winners receive tall trophies decked-out with turkeys and a frozen turkey as a bonus. The long-sleeved shirts are nice and warm.

Located in Jessamine County outside of Lexington, the course if pretty difficult to find if you're not a local. The location for the course actually starts at a park (City/County Park) and winds through a subdivision.

This is probably the most difficult 5K course I've completed. The start can make or break your entire race experience. There are two pretty steep downhill sections within the first mile that newbies always charge down. The first is right at the start and the second comes about a 1/4 mile into the race. Be careful -- charging down these hills will catch up with you later. I generally start out fast, but kind of hang back, confident that I will be passing those that streak past me at the start. It pays to know the course beforehand.

The course winds through a subdivision that is not completely closed to traffic. There are a few desolate spots, but this isn't a race for the scenery -- this is for the unique bling.

The finish is mostly uphill, and it's steep! Save your energy because after you top the last hill at the finish, there's a slight decline to the finish line.

I love this race -- partly because I know the course and because I like to keep adding to my collection of turkeys.

When my buddies and I signed up for this race, we had no idea that the Weather Channel had previously listed it as the 14th most difficult in the WORLD! https://weather.com/news/news/worlds-toughest-marathons-running-20121103#/3

I ran this race for the simple reason that I have family in the area, and I didn't have to pay for a hotel stay. We tried to drive the course the night before, but there were parts that were not accessible by car. The marathon is not sanctioned by the RRCA and not considered a Boston Qualifier.

The main rise in elevation takes the form of Blackberry Mountain -- and it is a mountain -- around mile 7/8. This didn't bother me too much since our regular long runs include many hills. The rest of the race is pretty much downhill except for a few short, steep inclines.

This year, the path by the river was extremely muddy, and we ran in slippery, shoe-sucking conditions for well over a mile. There is also a part of the course that is run on a golf course and a swinging bridge. The golf course wasn't that bad, but the bridge really shook the quads after running all of the previous miles.

The one thing I do remember is the heat and humidity. The race is in June and there is very sparse shade or covering for the runners on the course.

The aid stations were plentiful, with many themes and ICE WATER. This was great, given the weather conditions at the time.

The swag was nice as well. All finishers receive a medal, a tech shirt, a towel, a drawstring bag, and a mason jar with the race's logo that was filled with grapes by some nice ladies at the finish.

All-in-all, it was a great experience. I wasn't pleased with my time, but that was due to mistakes I made on the course with strategy and hydration/nutrition.

The race director is very attentive to each runner and readily addresses concerns in a timely manner.

This is probably not a PR race (especially since it isn't even sanctioned as a marathon), but many 50-staters run this in order to cover one of two states along the course -- KY and VA.

I ran this race during its inaugural year and got my half marathon PR. I have run the race on a different course since, and didn't like it as much as my first time. The price has increased and the course is much more difficult.

The race is located fairly close to my home, so it really was a no-brainer when considering it as an option for a half marathon. I registered fairly early and ran this with an old CC runner I'd coached. The course was beautiful and provided a chance for really good times -- previously. The new course, however, is REALLY hilly! I'll admit -- I started out probably faster than I should have, hoping to better my time from a previous year.

I have many runner friends that love this race, but I probably won't return to it unless the race returns to its original course.

In terms of race management, I cannot say enough good things! The new directors seek to make this a destination race and are doing a great job promoting it. If you haven't run a half in KY, and you want to experience some gorgeous scenery along the rolling hills of Lexington, then this race is for you.

If you're looking for a February race to keep fit until spring race season, this one is for you.

Generally, February is the coldest winter month in Kentucky, but I have run this race in gloves and winter cap, then the next year I ran in shorts. It keeps you guessing.

The course used to be held around Coldstream Park in Lexington, but the course has changed in recent years. Though still held at Coldstream, the race is no longer run on the road, but on the relatively new Legacy Trail -- a combination bike/running trail with very few hills (at least on the parts covered during the race).

The pre-race registration is housed in the conference room of a nearby hotel, as well as the post-race awards ceremony. The tech shirts that are given as age group awards and door prizes are NICE! I still have one from years ago that look like new. Each participant receives a pair of running (painter's) gloves with the race logo. The after race fare consists of bagels, bananas, and hot chocolate.

This is a nice race to shake out the kinks from tight winter muscles.

This was my first half marathon, and while it is not my PR, it still remains my favorite race of all distances.

Marathon Weekend in Cincy is an event for the community. I took the whole family, and we made a family weekend out of the experience.

One Big Tip --
You should book your hotel rooms EARLY due to the fast sell-outs. We stayed at the Downtown Hyatt under the special marathon rate and received late checkout. The hotel is only a half mile from the start and close to a mile from the finish.

The pre-race expo is AMAZING! We probably spent an hour or more looking at all of the vendors and exhibits. The participants receive a limited edition print, a nice gym bag, a tech shirt, and a finisher's medal.

The race itself was one of the best running experiences of my life. My wife walked me to the start, where we waited in a shelter while lightning flashed and rain poured down. Being a CC coach, I thought that we would have to wait at least 30 min. after a flash in order to start the race. I was wrong. I was back with the 4:30 marathoners and no where near my assigned corral when the gun went off.

I was soaked the whole race, but the crowd support and camaraderie of the runners invigorated me. The half course (the first 13.1 miles) is the most challenging part of the whole marathon, with all of the seven hills of Cincy seemingly under your feet. To be honest, the elevation chart on their site intimidated me, but I only really remember one hill, and it wasn't that bad.

The course crosses two main bridges -- from OH to KY and from KY to OH. One really doesn't appreciate the incline of highway bridges or the cant of the gutters until you're crossing them on foot and not in a car.

This was my slowest (and first) half, but it still remains my favorite. I'm running it again in a few weeks with my running group, my wife, and family members.

You really need to check this one out!

The race offers a 5K, a 10K, a half and full marathon, a Pump-and-Run option, and a relay. Activities for children are also offered.