Latest reviews by Steena C

(2020)
"Small-town, no-frills"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

2020 Covid-world race experience:
Overall it's a small-town, no-frills race.
Packet included coupons for local shops/restaurants, coffee and a pull-over fleece. Parking for packet pickup and race were easy and free.

Course scenery was country roads, open-field, cut down corn fields. If it's a windy day on this course you will be very exposed. I was surprised at how many spectators were out for the first loop, though it cleared out on my second loop. With it being a small race, 50 finishers in 2019, 250 in 2020 you can expect to be running mostly solo on the second loop.

The course elevation was not clear to me on the event website so I looked for a map on mapmyrun.com and found one added in August 2020. It read 200 ft. in gain for the half, my Garmin read 800 ft in gain for the full. There was a lot of gradual uphill on the course.

Aid stations had sealed water bottles for Covid precautions. I took a bottle and couldn't open it because it was frozen in 20 degree weather and my fingers were frozen. I had to wait until the next aid station to ask a volunteer to open one for me.

The finish line was unclear to me. There were two mats spaced approximately 12 feet apart from each other. When I crossed the first one I had to ask if that was the finish or the next one was. A simple "finish" sign next to either would have helped. There was no finish arc to run under, adding to my confusion.

Post-race food was chicken noodle soup. I finished in 3:50 and it wasn't ready yet. I waited 15 minutes and when I finally got a cup it was cold. In 20 degree weather a cold cup of soup was disappointing.

I would recommend this race to anyone who likes a small-town, no-frills race. It's BQ certified. I personally would not do this event again, it was an okay experience.

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(2020)
"Fantastic Trail Event"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

Overall, a great small, no-frills event.
Trails were not too technical, a novice could handle this course. Elevation was challenging for experienced trail runners.
Option to sign up without t-shirt for $5.00 less.
No aid stations in 2020 due to covid-19, race communication reminded participants several times to bring your own water. You could set up your own station too with the multiple loop course.
Easy parking and bib pick up options for day before or race morning.

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(2019)
"Good half marathon"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
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pros:
-Easy packet pick-up options: Can pay extra for race day packet pick-up, or get it on Friday.
-Large, entertaining field of runners, spectators and volunteers.
-Quality shirt & finisher medal
-Scenic course
cons
-Large field should start in waves, the course felt congested to me in 2019.
-"Free" race photos requires a Strava download, which is a safety concern to me. I had Strava and my privacy settings randomly changed, all of my routes were public.

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(2019)
"Fun women's half marathon"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
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Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
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This is a race to plan a weekend away with your girlfriends. It's a feel-good, fun weekend. The expo is packed with a variety of relevant-to-runners vendors (not juts 12 chiropractors like some races!)
The course is filled with joy and encouragement.
The community built around this race is truly special, and you will feel welcomed in this race.

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(2015)
"Great event!"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
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Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management

Writing a review for the 13.1 as the 26.2 is no longer offered from this event. I have done the half 3 times and the full once. It's a great, community event! Costumes make it entertaining. The course is challenging. Volunteers are great. Post race party is awesome with live music and a Capitol Brewery beer! Plus there are cash prizes for the costume contest winners. Easily the most unique and fun race shirts & medals I've ever gotten from a race.

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