In 2016 this was my first ever half marathon, 2017, I decided to enjoy a nice 5k so I could cheer on my sister in her first half marathon. This is a wonderful race, whichever distance you run. Start times are staggered so the 5k and half marathon finish in the same realm of time and have the same amazing finish line experience. But, that's not what makes this race so special- the community of women on the course is unlike anything I have ever experienced. (I ran 18 races last year and nothing came close)

The whole event is centered around women supporting women- the weekend experience is a great opportunity to meet and make friends with other women runners. Being in a huge room practicing yoga with 200 women was powerful. Being at the finish line surrounded by hundreds of women is even more powerful. And, it is a part of this race that EVERY woman is cheered into the finish line- the 5 hour finisher gets a warm welcome in- it is well worth sticking around for that moment.

Race management wise, the course is well supported- 2016 there was plenty of water, guy and Gatorade even for the turtles at the back of the pack like me. The course felt safe, traffic was well controlled, there were plenty of volunteers along the way to keep things running smoothly.

The course: 5k was a lot of uphill but the grade varied so it wasn't monotonous. The half route changed in 2017, but in 2016 it was really lovely- lake views, city views, neighborhoods, and starting at Hilldale means it is a different area than some of the other Madison races, which is nice. Oh- the medal is super cute too!

Bottom line: I heartily reccommend this race to pretty much every woman I meet who runs.

I am running the half and half this year (half in May, half in November). This race has a pretty route- through the arboretum, around campus, down Monroe, beginning and ending at the Capitol. I am a back of the pack runner, so it is nice when races think of the last finishers like they do their first finishers, which this race does. There was plenty of water and Gatorade on route, and plentiful food at the finish line. Highlights of this race for me: running in the Arboretum is always a joy, followed by one of the most gloriously beastly hills in Madison. There was a special award for the fastest finisher of that monster. The medal was really beautiful, this year- probably the most beautiful one I have seen- images of runners raised in the metal with just a bit of color. It's so pretty, it is on the wall in my office where I can enjoy it.

Side note: I ran the twilight 5k in 2016, and that was one of my favorite 5ks- it's a different experience running a race at dusk. :)

Bottom line: I'd recommend this race series to runners of any pace.