This was the inaugural race for the 5kDevo and they did a lot of things right. The band was even there!

The shirts and medal, they hit it out of the park with these. They had a ladies fit shirt that was true to size...darn near impossible to find! The medals were as big as some half marathon medals I have received in the past...and they were double sided.

There was one aid station, which was fine for me, but I heard some complaints from some first time 5kers. It was mentioned in the email that went out to everyone, but not everyone reads the details.

Course scenery was minimal...it was a down and back in Akron. Nothing spectacular but it also made for hardly any elevation difficulty. There was one hill.

Parking was a breeze as there is a parking garage connected to the lot where the race began at!

Race management did a great job and I am sure they will only improve as they get some more experience under them for this race.

If you are a Devo fan or someone who needs a solid 5k with the benefits or a large race (swag, medal) this is a must race for you.

First and foremost it was unseasonably hot for this race and no one was prepared!!!!

Overall the race was nice. Shuttles took racers to their respective start lines in a timely manner.

Tshirts were very nice. They gave out long sleeved tech shirts and even had a woman's fit! They were a tad snug but nothing to where I would not wear it! This was the first year for medals for this race and they matched the shirts.

Aid stations would have been adequate if this had not been such a hot race. The last three miles for 10k runners are out on a highway that is not shaded with no aid stations. That was a problem for 2017 as I realized what bacon must feel like frying in a pan.

Course scenery....the first 3 miles is beautiful, 10k starts in a pretty neighborhood; it is the last three on the highway that is blah. I think the scenery and route would be improved if they would take it through downtown.

Expo....while it is a decent expo for a race that is a 10k, this is supposed to be one of Pittsburgh's jewels of racing. The expo does not show that at all. I think I spent ~15 minutes here and honestly would have loved a mailing packet option to avoid the drive into the city.

Elevation, Pittsburgh is not that hilly to a runner who has run in Atlanta. There were no major OMG hill that I wanted over before I started my ascent.

Race management did a really nice job considering the unseasonable weather. There were iced towels waiting at the finish and overall the day went off without a hitch.

Overall this is a great race put on be a good organization. Everything was well organized and they even offered packet pickup on race day for those coming from out of town, like me!

T-shirts/Swag - Very nice gendered tech shirts, pint glass and medal. The only think about the pint glass is that if you are picking up your packet day of, you will have to go back to your car before the race as glass isn't allowed in gear check. Oh and did I mention, three beers (wide selection), a banana and Chick-Fil-A sandwich! Yummy. Best post race goodness ever.

Aid Stations - Two well stocked aid stations but the second was very small and the crowd was so big that I just kept on going through it since I had my quick draw bottle.

Scenery - Since I have never been to Akron it was great scenery...I think the best way to get to know a city is to run it!

Expo - N/A. No expo for this one, it was packet pickup at the stadium, even if you picked up the night before.

Elevation - Not bad at all. I can remember two semi-decent hills but nothing major.

Parking - Ample parking just about .3 miles from the start line...and it's FREE!

Race Management - Top notch! Plenty of volunteers to answer questions. Highly recommend this race.

Maybe I expect too much from races in Atlanta due to their huge running community...but here is the breakdown.

T-shirts/Swag: I bought the VIP package therefore I got the race shirt plus a 1/4 shirt. I like the 1/4 shirt however the race shirt is super big but has nice graphics. I had to go two sizes down in order to get a proper fitting shirt....they were not stingy about shirt exchanges, which was nice. There is no medal or any other swag on this race, which is a bit of a disappoint as there it is a fun theme.

Aid Stations: I am assuming they are better when the weather is good, however, there were only two (2) aid stations for the 10k. It really isn't bad if you are use to carrying your own water.

Course Scenery: With all the pretty places to run in Atlanta, this course doesn't do it. This course loops you through a not so pretty setting. I am not a fan of a looping course.

Expo: No expo, packet pickup at local running store.

Elevation: It's Atlanta, there are going to be hills and the hills are going to be tough and they are going to suck even more the second time around.

Race Management: Did a good job and I am sure it is a much better race with better weather. Oh and they allow dogs, which I did enjoy!!!

Overall: It was an okay race but one I would not take part in again....now add a medal to it and I would run it again just to get a themed medal. Ha.

Maybe I expect too much from races in Atlanta due to their huge running community...but here is the breakdown.

T-shirts/Swag: I bought the VIP package therefore I got the race shirt plus a 1/4 shirt. I like the 1/4 shirt however the race shirt is super big but has nice graphics. I had to go two sizes down in order to get a proper fitting shirt....they were not stingy about shirt exchanges, which was nice. There is no medal or any other swag on this race, which is a bit of a disappoint as there it is a fun theme.

Aid Stations: I am assuming they are better when the weather is good, however, there were only two (2) aid stations for the 10k. It really isn't bad if you are use to carrying your own water.

Course Scenery: With all the pretty places to run in Atlanta, this course doesn't do it. This course loops you through a not so pretty setting. I am not a fan of a looping course.

Expo: No expo, packet pickup at local running store.

Elevation: It's Atlanta, there are going to be hills and the hills are going to be tough and they are going to suck even more the second time around.

Race Management: Did a good job and I am sure it is a much better race with better weather. Oh and they allow dogs, which I did enjoy!!!

Overall: It was an okay race but one I would not take part in again....now add a medal to it and I would run it again just to get a themed medal. Ha.