I loved running the Fargo half marathon! It's a super flat course that starts in the FargoDome (so FYI that your GPS may not connect until you get outside!), and runs through downtown Fargo. There's quite a few turns in the first few miles as you run through the college campus, but it provides for some very pretty scenery. The crowd support is fantastic through pretty much the entire race course, and there were plenty of aid stations.

I had originally signed up to run the full marathon, but due to some injuries during training I had to back down to the half. The management team made it super easy for me to switch races, and even waived the fee (I think maybe $10?). I thought the expo was a little lackluster, but the race overall was very well managed and I think the Scheels team does an excellent job at communication and providing a quality race.

There's a big parking lot at the FargoDome, and a few hotels right across the street. My husband and I stayed at the Days Inn, so my walk across the street literally took less than 5 minutes on race morning. Perfect!

The Detroit Marathon was my first marathon, and I thought it was great! It's a mostly flat course with great crowd support and plenty of aid stations - although I carry my own fuel so I maybe need less than the average runner.

The Ambassador Bridge is the one "big" hill, and yes it slows you down but it was a really fun experience. The Tunnel back from Canada is warm and a bit humid, but I didn't think the elevation change there was very significant. There's also the bridge over to Belle Isle, but MUCH smaller than the Ambassador. It's a bit windy over on Belle Isle, but it provides a nice change of scenery.

I thought the race expo was well flushed with plenty of different vendors, and my non-running family even seemed to enjoy it. I was disappointed to not see a KT tape vendor there because I was in desperate need of some taping, but that's just me being picky. Packet pick-up was a breeze at the expo.

I didn't stay long at the finish line because I stayed at a the Hilton Garden Inn downtown. Stay downtown! It was such a breeze to walk to the start line in the morning, and the people mover (above ground subway) made transit around the downtown area super convenient.

I didn't love the t-shirt from the 2015 race, but the medal is pretty hefty and earned a coveted spot on my wall!

I ran this in 2014 and of course had to come back in 2015 for a repeat performance! Northern Minnesota weather in June can be unpredictable at best, and both years it was mid-50's and overcast/drizzly. I chose not to run in 2016 because of the weather, and that year it was sunny and starting temps hovered around 65+ only to get quite warm throughout the day! So if you're planning on running Grandma's as your spring race, just know that it can be quite warm!

If you're looking for a flat race, this is definitely not it! The beginning of the half course takes you through some twists and turns in downtown St. Louis, before heading out into some of the neighborhoods surrounding downtown. Although the course is pretty hilly, I earned my half PR on this course, so maybe all the downhills helped!

I thought their could have been more aid stations, but there was a lot of crowd support which always nice to see. Parking for the expo was a bit nutty, but my husband and I stayed at a hotel downtown that was within walking distance of the start and finish (Drury Inn downtown, fabulous experience!)

As with most RnR races, the swag was fun and the finish line had plenty of different food and beverages for my liking.

Grandma's is always a fun race! From swag, to scenery, to course support and aid stations - they do it right! I've done the half (officially called the Gary Bjorklund Half Marathon), and I've always had a good race. The course is flat with only two "hills" that are really just highway overpasses, and you run along Lake Superior - which in pleasant weather makes for a very pretty race.

There's plenty of course support with aid stations just about every mile. Spectators are slim at the start of the race, but as you get closer to Duluth proper, they start to line the streets.

I actually really love the bus system that takes runners to the starting lines. That way, my husband can sleep in and meet me at the finish, or I can ride the bus back to the hotel to shower and we can head to the after party together.