Run with Carl has become a Quad Cities tradition along with the Bix and marathon. A few years ago they almost stopped it but with new sponsors have guaranteed money too keep this great race going. This means there's always a faster group of local guys really racing up at the front!

I picked the 5 mile distance this year after running the 5k a few years ago. Both are challenging with the amount of hills you get to climb. None of them are really steep but there's only a couple of really flat parts for each race. My garmin had around 200 feet of climb by the time i was done with the 5 mile, and the one mile in the middle is a slow gradual climb. We do run along the bike path for a bit so there's a little bit of scenery, but for the most part it's streets and residential areas.

One thing about this race that i think is nice is morning of registration and packet pickup. That really helps if you're coming in from out of town and don't have time to grab your stuff earlier. There's no expo for the most part if you do pickup your packet early. they hold that in the East side of the Family Rec center in Bettendorf.

Post Race is right next to the finish line and had a band this year. There was food and water and the usual assortment of post race food.

If you're ever in the QCA around labor day and want to find a race to do, this is the one. I know i'll try getting back to it every year.

This was my first year running Ganzo's, so i really didn't know what to expect. Angie and a couple of other's were going to be there, though, so i thought "why not!" and registered a bit late... So it was a wee more expensive for me (35 bucks, i think you could register raceday for 40).

I picked up my packet the night before. That was quick and easy as long as you knew your bib number (i gave'em the wrong one the first time!). I got a shirt, some koozies, and about 3 pens.

Raceday i showed up a bit early since i was run/walking to the start line. I noticed the main parking for the event was across a major road/highway. They had someone helping stop traffic though so it didn't seem like it was too much of a problem. Still, if you live in Davenport and can run to the start it makes it much easier.

The course itself was mainly rolling hills through residential neighborhoods. There were 2 water stops and i BELIEVE an unofficial beer (domestic...) stop somewhere in there. There were plenty of volunteers directing us in the right direction, especially on the little out n back we did where you could've cut across if you weren't paying attention.

The finish line was organized well. You could go straight to the timing place for your results or turn left and head into the party after you recieved your medal. we (Angie Joel and I) waited around at the finish to cheer some runners on for a bit until we were told to move because the road needed to be open. I'm not sure where the cars were heading we had to move for because they were heading straight for the course.

Anyway, the afterparty had a live band, some snacks, LOTS of Bud Light and shots of tequilla. There was a taco truck set up though if you wanted to grab some heartier food. All in all i had a great time and the course was hilly but not too challenging. I can see myself running this one next year.