The good. Everything
No. Really. Everything.
This is such a Runner's Focused event that you cant really go wrong running it.

The bad.
Maybe this is too much information; but in really needed a rest room. I felt there could have been a more strategically placed one between 7 and 14. There was one at 9 but it was not convenient. There was one at mile 7 but there was a line.
Any way

Registration.
I registered a year or so ago when it first opened sonits hard to remember how easy or difficult it actually was.

Communication
The race director and team were super communicative and supportive leading up to the race. They also did a great job of making sure the important emails were easily distinguishable from the promotional ones.

The expo
I was really very happy with the expo. It was small but more than just a bib pick up.
There were a few vendors for some last minute necessities

The course.
I would say it bordered on epic.
I am a history fan and running through the civil war battle fields were pretty sweet.
The imagery of hanving to tread those hills with wool uniforms and maybe leather boots made you feel the perspective.
If you do the full; the first half is flat.
If you do the half; the whole thing is rolling hills.
Any way you slice it, the course is fantastic.
The flat portion on the canal is very scenic. I feel that weather would play a part in the experience; but it was cool and easy to run.
Crossing the water on the bridge (pictured) was an breath of fresh air early in the race.
The race makes you want to learn more about the history you are running through.

The aid stations were my only gripe. The helpers at mile 9 were not "handing" the water out. I personally like when water is handed to me because I cant process having to pick up the water while in running...maybe that's haughty...The rest of the helpers were pretty on it...until mile 21 ish the poor girl was standing there just looking at me with Gatorade in her hand..I took water from the next person instead.
There were not a lot of crowds, which was almost refershing.
It was nice to run for running sake and only have a few "cheer stations" along the route.
One thing to note:
If you want to spectate this race there are TONs of opportunities to drive along the course and jump in to cheer. It would be welcomed around mile 11 and 13.5

The swag
Oh my goodness
They give you everything and the kitchen sink.
A shirt, a water bottle, a beer glass, as much pizza as I could eat, a really interesting "metal"
It was unique and had an almost custom made feel to it (meaning not mass produced)

The finish festival
Epic
I loved the 50 yard line finish. That was fun
They have 2 finish parties.
Pizza, yoga, stretching and pictures at the finish line.
Beer, massages and food at the Bavarian Inn across the street.

In short.
Do this race.
Even if you run-walk it you are in for a good time!

1st. I am going back for the marathon
That should say something....

Pros: expertly executed. Amazing scenery
Cons: not "participation" medal.

I went into this race knowing the elevation was going to murder me. I am a low-lander and this race starts at nearly 7000 feet....
It was amazing. No humidity; 50-something degrees. I know why people flock to colorado!

Registration: really simple and really reasonable. Its administrated through bike registration so, it has a familiar look and feel to other medium sized races.
The ability to find race related information could be better; but it is there.
What's even nicer; I had signed up for the marathon but during packet pick up they allowed me to drop to the half.

Communication leading up to the event. Unlike other races there is little communication leading up the the event. The notices they send are accurate and helpful; but you will be waiting for them.

The course:
Up hill
All the way.
But; the hills are alive with the sound of music
And panting
Its gorgeous
It was really well marked also; typically I get lost while running and I survived!

On course support
Surprised thay the was a many aid stations as there were! Filed to the brim with waffles and nuun.

Expo;
The expo is a simple packet pick up; but it happens at the same time as the bike race so the vendors which are there for bike race are also the for the runners packet pickup.

Swag
The tshirt is pretty standard (I think the 2013 shirt is nicer material)
They give out a honey Stinger grahm cracker

There is no medal. I'm actually okay with that. I have enough medals.

Finish Festival
There is a band and beer and lunch and a few vendors. It really friendly and community feeling.

I really liked it; maybe more than one of those finish festivals with a headliner concert!

In short: do this race. With or without elevation acclimating (but if you can spare the 18 days to acclimate... steamboat springs is gorgeous)

The Good: There's a lot of good; but I would say the water was clean. BIG DEAL for me.
The Bad: I did the double down (both a Saturday and Sunday Race) but the race medals were the same and I didn't get a cool medal for doing both.

Overview:
This is a great triathlon regardless of whether you are a first time triathlete or a tried and true athlete. Everyone is super helpful and informative. There is a lot of communication leading up tot he race.

The Pre-Work
Registration is through Active.com so if you have signed up for any races in the last 5 years, you are bound to have used active. BUT if not, Active.com is easy to navigate and saves your information.
NJSTRI's website is easy to navigate also. All the information you will need be it race day or leading up to race day is on the website and easy to find.
Results are easily identifiable for the current year as well (you do need to dig a little to find previous year's results)

Communication from the RD:
there was a lot of it, mostly advertising.
but the important stuff got through and I feel the did a good job.

The Expo:
Meh.
What you would expect from a small town race (only this is a big deal.) There were a few vendors; nothing to write home about.
If you followed my 2019 race journey (or just the reviews) I haven't had the time or ability to attend race expos, so I was really looking forward to it this time; but I felt somewhat let down. A few discount vendors and a bunch of NJST gear...
The best part of the expo was being able to see the course and the transition area and the speech form the race director.

The Course.
Swim:
The water is clean!
I don't know what mob boss was paid off to pull the bodies out of the water, but they did it.
I was really happy that the water wasn't slimy or grodie.
I've been in water which was really gross (Louisville) but you actually feel pretty refreshed after going in (despite the water temps being 88.)
Bike:
New Jersey isn't known for its rolling hills. Which should tell you that this course is going to be pretty flat. That being said; riding your bike competitively with no undulation is hard.
The course was closed from traffic which was really nice! No cars to honk or get in your way!
Run
The run was the run...this is bibrave its what we do! The course was the walking path through the park. Thankfully there was shade through most of it. The race staff set up a 'misting station' which was clutch in this heat. I would have liked to have seen water at the turn around, but that may me being nit picky...
side note:
From a run course perspective; it was okay
From a participant perspective; if you're going to walk, walk on the grass not the path where we are racing.

The Swag:
meh.
They are know for their swag, but it was okay. nothing to write home about. Sorry

The Medal:
It was a nice medal, but I don't need 2 of the same medal. In my opinion the Olympic should have been different than the sprint...just saying

Post Race:
with amazing efficiency they get the athletes through the food area quickly.
There are pretzels and bagels and beer. I feel that was really a good set up
There was also an amazing misting booth after the finish line. I'm actually going to call it a shower (even though it's not a shower proper)
It was a great addition to the race especially after the scorching heat you experienced on course!

In short.
Do it.
I'd do it again

The good: gorgeous scenery

The bad: felt like the first time they had the race.

Ease of signing up.
Super easy
Runsign up. All my info autofills easy peasy

Race communication
Holy Over Communication batman. I get it. I really do. You dont want anyone to miss anything. But for real I received a dozen email in the 2 weeks leading up to the race.
The other thing; the updates were not "organized"
I felt the communication was overwhelming

The expo.
Low key. Like low.
It's cool though. It was really just a bib pick up

The course.
1st ; parking was 20 minutes from the start.
HUGE kudos for the shuttle buses. That was the highlight. Good job RD.
The course was flat and along the water. I could see a bald eagle chilling in the trees
The aid stations were volunteers handing out water but they had the water / Gatorade staggered in an odd way.
Plenty of water. Good call rd
Not enough restrooms.

The medal
It was neat it was an oil lamp.

The AG awards were neat too!
Trophies for the overall winners; pint glasses for the AG placers.