I have created a running website named www.askrunguy.com based on having run over 100 half marathons, including all fifty US states and several other countries; and several full marathons, with a goal of running all six World Major marathons. Below is a template for comments for my rating each race:

Race: IMT Des Moines Half Marathon 2007 (Des Moines, IA)
Race Type / Terrain (road, trail): paved roads throughout Des Moines
Organization (Size, Expo, volunteers, start / finish): . not good. For the full marathon when I ran the half, they ran out of water at the end of the race.
Support (fans, music on course): OK, but not great, for a decent sized city
Course Scenery: Nothing remarkable or noteworthy
Course Difficulty: a little hilly, not too challenging
Weather / Temperature: fairly warm and humid
Course location recreation (sights, things to do): There isn’t really much exciting to do around Des Moines
Logistics (Getting to the race site): Des Moines has a decent sized airport, and is drivable in a few hours from Minneapolis or Kansas City
Swag (medal, t-shirt, other items for finishers): Nothing remarkable or significant
Food and drink (on course and after finish): See above. Not good, though maybe they have improved.

I provide running and racing resources for all levels of runners at www.askrunguy.com. I also share information that I believe is interesting and helpful to the running community. I encourage you to visit www.askrunguy.com

I have created a running website named www.askrunguy.com based on having run over 100 half marathons, including all fifty US states and several other countries; and several full marathons, with a goal of running all six World Major marathons. Below is a template for comments for my rating each race:

Race: Quad Cities half Marathon 2007 (Iowa, Illinois)
Race Type / Terrain (road, trail): paved roads around Quad Cities in Iowa and Illinois (Moline, Rockport, etc)
Organization (Size, Expo, volunteers, start / finish): Very small and non-memorable
Support (fans, music on course): Little fan support
Course Scenery: I didn’t like the scenery at all. Dirty, dingy, areas
Course Difficulty: not too hilly, not too difficult
Weather / Temperature: was very hot, humid, swampy, no opportunity for breeze
Course location recreation (sights, things to do): Almost nothing to do. I did not enjoy this race or these cities at all
Logistics (Getting to the race site): I believe you can drive there somewhat easily ( a few hours) from Chicago or Minneapolis. Possibly they have a regional airport
Swag (medal, t-shirt, other items for finishers): Nothing memorable – a basic medal and a shirt
Food and drink (on course and after finish): I don’t recall any significant aid stations on the course. Due to dehydration, I needed an IV at the end.

I provide running and racing resources for all levels of runners at www.askrunguy.com. I also share information that I believe is interesting and helpful to the running community. I encourage you to visit www.askrunguy.com

I have created a running website named www.askrunguy.com based on having run over 100 half marathons, including all fifty US states and several other countries; and several full marathons, with a goal of running all six World Major marathons. Below is a template for comments for my rating each race:

Race: Gopher to Badger half marathon 2007 Stillwater, MN to Hudson, WI
Race Type / Terrain (road, trail): paved highway in rural Minnesota and Wisconsin
Organization (Expo, volunteers, start / finish): OK. Nothing memorable
Support (fans, music on course): Almost nobody on course, which is along fields and pastures on a long highway
Course Scenery: Not great. Just typical farm landscapes
Course Difficulty: I found it to be quite challenging due to long, hot stretches with zero shade, and some pretty strong winds.
Weather / Temperature: can be quite warm. Lots of sun. Little shade.
Course location recreation (sights, things to do): Not much to do around this race, but Twin Cities is very close to this race.
Logistics (Getting to the race site): easily drivable from Twin Cities (Minneapolis / St. Paul).
Swag (medal, t-shirt, other items for finishers): Almost nothing. Possibly a t-shirt and a small generic medal
Food and drink (on course and after finish): IT seems there were few if any water stops along the course.

I provide running and racing resources for all levels of runners at www.askrunguy.com. I also share information that I believe is interesting and helpful to the running community. I encourage you to visit www.askrunguy.com

I have created a running website named www.askrunguy.com based on having run over 100 half marathons, including all fifty US states and several other countries; and several full marathons, with a goal of running all six World Major marathons. Below is a template for comments for my rating each race:

Race: Fargo Half Marathon 2007
Race Type / Terrain (road, trail): paved road throughout Fargo
Organization (Expo, volunteers, start / finish): Very good. Well organized. You start and finish in a dome football stadium.
Support (fans, music on course): Lots of crowd support, bands, and well-equipped and supported water stops along the race. .
Course Scenery: Not great. Just typical medium-sized city neighborhoods
Course Difficulty: quite easy. Very flat and fast course, with several turns.
Weather / Temperature: Is in late April or early May in ND, so weather can be quite unpredictable, but is usually fairly warm and windy.
Course location recreation (sights, things to do): Not many things to do in Fargo, ND.
Logistics (Getting to the race site): Fargo has a fairly decent sized airport. Fargo is a long drive (3+ hours) from other major cities
Swag (medal, t-shirt, other items for finishers): Finisher shirts are OK, not great. This race has provided nice gear bags in the past, as well as nice posters to purchase. The expo is quite nice given the size of the city. This is the most popular race in ND, I believe.
Food and drink (on course and after finish): Food and drink on course is fine, and refreshments provided afterward are above average.

I provide running and racing resources for all levels of runners at www.askrunguy.com. I also share information that I believe is interesting and helpful to the running community. I encourage you to visit www.askrunguy.com