I started out deciding I wanted to try a restaurant in Omaha. Then, on a whim, I searched for "Omaha Trail Races" and come to find out that there's a this trail running group there and eastern Nebraska is hillier than anyone gives it credit. Omaha turns out to be a rad city too. But that's beside the point.

Schramm Park is quite a gem. Parking is a little tight, even at a race capped at 300 people. It looked like there was space on the highway adjacent to the park, but the other activities available at the park are still open during the race so the lot fills up. I was dropped off by my wife and she went to the zoo while I was running. That type of thing may be advisable.

The race was advertised as running a 3.2 mile loop, or something like that. There was a large thunderstorm in the early morning hours before the race, and one section of the planned loop was cut for the race on the day I ran. We were given credit for 3 miles per loop, and it sounds like that's the plan going forward.

Having been dropped off very early ahead of the 6 hour start, and with the rain the night before, I experienced a little of what the 12 Hour runners were facing. It was humid and muddy and the bugs were a little thick early in the morning. By the time the 6 hour race started, the mud was beaten dry except through a flat section that goes between the old hatchery ponds that feature at the park. That section is out in the sun, but somehow didn't dry out.

Most of the course is in a pretty dense forest. It follows rolling single track except for some tarmac sections toward the start/finish area and the infamous "What the hill" which is a steep pavement access road.

The structure of this race is washer machine style or dizzy, as in you change directions each loop. So on even laps you climb that steep hill and odd laps you can bomb it, which you can do, if you're brave.

It's a short loop, but you have plenty of aid. There's a well stocked aid station at start and finish. Plenty of things to grab and eat. No problems even for me as a vegan. Someone's always ready to fill your water bottle with water or Tailwind. I also set up a chair in the start/finish spectator area with a bag and cooler with anything I thought I'd might need. I left my phone and mp3 player there, nobody screwed with it. There's also another water and snack station on the course with a good group of people cheering all the runners .

Like I said in the title, this is a gem. A great group of people who put on a great party for 300 people running around the forest for a few hours. I'd go back in a heartbeat. I really want to try some of the GOATZ other offerings. Highly recommended.

One knock, the shirt was too big. haha