The expo was better than a typical Disney expo. It was well organized as always, and I picked up my bib with no wait at all. You were then routed to the mini merch area which had lots of shirts and glasses, etc but no pins. Quick line to purchase and I was on my way to the main expo. We had to walk all the way around to the back of the Jostens building. it was way too hot for such shenanigans but they had Storm Troopers out there which made it a little better.
The line for merch at about 10:45 am was 25 minutes long, just to get in. I on my waited about 10 to pay. More varieties of shirts and the coveted pins!
Bus on race morning was quick and easy. Short lines at security and plenty of characters for pics including an insanely detailed Jabba, Boba Fett, and BB8. lines were long and moved slowly.
The race started on time and they moved each corral in multiple waves. I was in D and started 20 minutes after the first wave.
The course wound around the back and into EPCOT just before China, where the water stop was. More characters on course included Ewoks, Chewbacca, the Emporers Chair, etc.
The course was well marked and lots of cats members were on hand to cheer us on. Tons of photographers taken pics. Pics are now free for Pass Holders and are included with the Memory Maker! Nice!
Finish line had Storm Troopers and lots of fun. medals were given out and then water, Powerade, the beloved food box, and a banana.
Bus service back was also quick and easy.
So far, this weekend has been a winner!

Expo: packet pickup was at Dicks Sporting Goods. There was no signage until you got upstairs, and then they had signs with arrows. Tech shirt was nice and bibs were bright. No extra swag to speak of.
Parking was plentiful since it started and ended at a mall.
There were porta potties at the start and the line moved quickly. Not many on course though, although I never needed one.
The start was very organized with 10k runners and Half runners starting separately.
Both distances ran together for 3 miles and then we separated. signage was great, everyone knew right where to go!
The course was very hilly! At around mile 9, we left the road to run through some paved trail roads and gravel. This just about killed me and the last 3 miles were rough. Police and aid stations were on point throughout and I never felt unsafe or thirsty!
The finish was well marked. I finished just under the time limit and was given a medal plus one extra for my running buddy. There was water at the finish and oranges but no other food and the beer was all gone as well. I don't remember a band either, but this is common at Charlotte races, they tend to pack up early.
I really enjoyed the race, overall it was well run, and I would run it again, if only to conquer those crazy hills!

Email communication was good, an email was sent out a few days before the race with all information about parking, etc.
Parking was a little rough if you don't know the area. There were lots of parking garages charging 6 to 12 dollars but we found out that just a couple blocks away there were spaces on the street that were free on weekends!
I didn't go to early pickup, so we arrived an hour early and easily picked up the awesome long sleeved shirt and beer glass, plus my bib was personalized with my name and it was Giants blue with the New York Giants printed on it. A very cool touch that made my morning.
there were tons of porta potties at the start and although the line was long it moved quickly.
The start was in front of the stadium, which was great for pics and a real exciting start area for football fans. The course was a large hockey stick shape (so funny) around the area of the stadium. The course was safe and well marked and the police kept everyone safe.
The race was fun. Everyone was wearing jerseys and other team gear and there was lots of ribbing between fans of rival teams.
It was hilly. For real, people. I kind of wanted to die a few times.
Water at mile 2 only. it was super cold out so I didn't really care, if it were hot out I would be mad, but it made sense for the weather.
I don't remember seeing mile markers at every mile but there was one at mile 3, so I may have just missed the others.
We finished where we started, and the finish line said touchdown. I love this! A volunteer immediately gave me water and then another gave me the cool medal. There was a food table and we had choices of bananas, fruit snacks, crackers, and bagels. There was plenty left for us back of the pack runners.
I will definitely be doing this race again and again. It was probably the most fun I've had in awhile at a short distance race!

My experience with the marathon was nobody's fault but my own. I stepped on a screw 6 days before the race, gouging a deep hole in my heel, and ran as much as I could before being swept.
We went to the expo early on opening day and easily got all of our merchandise before getting on line for our bibs. everything ran smoothly and was stress free.
Marathon morning we got on our bus easily and to the start with plenty of time to check our bags, use the porta potty and walk the mile to the start.
it was freezing.
literally.
the wind cut through you and everyone was huddling for warmth. Rundisney released corrals faster than usual which was good for getting started but bad because it gave us less of a head start against the balloon ladies.
We started, and there were lots of fun characters on course, although we didn't stop at any. We were worried about time. My foot wasn't hurting at first, but I knew it wouldn't be long.
the water stations were well run, and the cast members were fun, although 3 in the first 7 miles told us we were almost there, which I hated.
running through the castle was magical, and Anna Elsa and Cristoff talked and waved from above. We took our jumping photo and moved on, this is when my foot started hurting.
We moved out of the park, and behind the scenes. There was an out and back around mile 11 and that when I saw the balloon ladies. it felt too soon, mathematically, but what can a girl do?
At around mile 12 we entered the back of AK, and we hit the halfway point at the Tree of Life. The balloon ladies caught up with me soon after and I only made it to mile 14.8 or so.
We were bussed to the finish area and given a medal, mylar blanket, food and drinks. everyone was super nice.
I was sad not to finish but I'm going back in 2018 and I will avoid all screws beforehand.