I had a great time running the Cotton Land Marathon. I signed up last minute (and largely on impulse), and I am so glad I did!

There were so many highlights of this race:
- Fully supported course (AND the officers were super friendly and supportive)
- AWESOME volunteers at the aid stations
- Several aid stations with food on the course, and at least one with gels
- Pretty good shirt

Neutral but notable:
- For marathoners, the course is essentially a double loop of the half - a few small changes in the second loop
- The race is largely out-and-back, so you see some of the same stuff twice (four times for full marathoners) - This was practically a pro for me because I had a favorite aid station and liked seeing those volunteers multiple times :)

Con:
- By the time I came in (full marathon in 5:50) the food vendors were packing up, so there was no food for me other than the (delicious) corn that was still being handed out

This was my third time running the Log Jammer, and I think it was my favorite one. (The weather was definitely the best of the three years.) There was a good group of people running, and the route was nice. I enjoyed going through the Shreveport neighborhoods. The last few miles are largely out on Clyde Fant Pkwy, and they can get lonely, as it is not a place for many spectators.

This year's course was only partially supported, but the officers were incredible--I never felt unsafe or like I might get hit by a car. Aid stations were also great! I don't remember if there were any with gels, but there was plenty of Powerade and water.

I had a great time at this race -- met up with a sorority sister I'd never met before, and we loved getting to know each other while enjoying the course. (2016 was her third time doing this race, my first.) The weather was definitely a damper on the 2016 race; the balloons could not launch, and I was really looking forward to seeing them while I ran. The course was lovely, and the aid stations were well-supported. When it started pouring rain (and thundering/lightning) the course volunteers were quick to mobilize and help people evacuate the course. (We were at mile 12 and waited for the bus for about 12 minutes before deciding we would get to the finish faster if we just walked back in -- and we did.)

I want to return to this race in the future, hopefully when the weather is more cooperative.

I'll echo what another reviewer mentioned; packet pickup isn't anywhere near the actual race, so make sure you plan to be in town a day early. It was literally getting a bib, shirt, and safety pins from a local running store.

I did the 5K on Saturday and the Half Marathon on Sunday, and it was a great race weekend! I'm signed up to do both events again in 2017. I had a friend pick up my packet, so I can't speak about the expo.

The 5K on Saturday drew a good crowd, and I loved the beer at the finish line. The Kids Race was a joy to watch. OLOL even had someone out doing a warmup with the kids that was adorable.

The half marathon was a good race with a fun finish as well. My only complaints were that the race finished on a hill (????) and porta potties were extremely limited. I expect these kinks to be worked out in future years..at least the porta potty one. I guess I shouldn't whine about the uphill finish.