I really enjoyed this race, even if I did fall before the 9-mile marker. I was still able to continue and finish strong and was immensely thankful for the volunteer who was on her bike who was nearby and assisted me immediately. The course was scenic - although it's more like the scenery went from mountains to industrial areas to the beach. I thought we would be running along more along the ocean. Nevertheless, the course was well-marked and I was thankful for the organized mini-dishes of food ready for the finishers. Really happy the medical tent was there as I needed to change up my bandages. The only thing was the access to the medical tent was a bit hard to figure out, since it was immediately right after the finish line. So it wasn't exactly easily accessible to those who already finished and had to cross cut through a gate. Otherwise, fantastic race. Would consider going back to do the marathon distance.

I think sometimes I associate my enjoyment of a half-marathon course with other events in my life. This race was meaningful for me because I had trained for it hard in the midst of numerous school/work projects. I liked how the course snaked through different parts of Springfield - so you got to run through some historical sites, fancy neighborhoods, and some grungy parts of town. The crowd at the start and end of the course was awesome, and I felt there were an adequate amount of aid stations.

Although there was a tent in this green space near the finish line, I don't recall seeing a variety of food options outside donuts or bagels. Otherwise, this was a course worth putting on your bucket list, especially if you like history.