When they say this is a flat, PR-able course, they are not kidding. It is a out and back course (you park at the finish and are bussed to the start). Bring throwaway gear as you are at the start, waiting, for 45-60 minutes and it gets chilly upstate.

The course was very covid-friendly: masks required on buses, optional at start (we wore throwaway ones) and felt well spread out. Gradual downhill is awesome and the town support was great. Lots of locals sitting outside cheering as you go by.

Expo: the expo itself was small and underwhelming, but it is connected to the Corning Glass of Museum which is easy to get lost in. Parking sucks and eating dinner is tough, especially if you want Italian the night before. If you can, book "pumpkin glass blowing" appts as soon as you can (they were sold out when we checked) and you can make your own glass pumpkin. SWAG: mediocre longsleeve quarter zip, but adorable stemless wine glass paired with a small bottle of champagne.

Post race: Wegmans sponsored smorgasbord with anything you can dream of (gatorade, chocolate milk, water, various fruits, pizza, cookies, bagels, string cheese, etc.)

Overall one of my favorite courses I have ever ran a half on. Loved it and definitely would recommend.

The 10K was awesome. There were a total of 4 water/Gatorade stations and a fun live band within the first mile. Easy turn around point at the 5K mark with time-tracking. Finish line had athletic trainers with bags of ice if necessary, bottles of water & gatorade, bagels, beer, Titos samplers, and energy chews.

Beautiful finisher medal and cool race shirt as swag. Overall well organized, upbeat, and fun race!
Parking was only $5 and easy, but after the race felt like a far walk! Also free photos were released to runners within 5 days!

Awesome run. The first 10K was mostly downhill on a very easy terrain in the woods. Then the race opens up to a path along Cayuga Lake, absolutely stunning views. There were water/sports drink/Gu aids every 2 miles... but no bathroom areas after the start! After the race there is a festival in the Ithaca Commons with food, snacks, Ithaca Beer Co beer (one free beer per racer), medals, etc. Awesome event would definitely recommend at least once just for the gorgeous views

All I will say is be prepared for plenty of hills and loops. Was definitely a great event and was well organized (but no race-day packet pick up!). I'd never been throughout Rutgers campus before so I was not prepared for the multitude of uphill battles I was forced to conquer. Also there were several instances where you have to turn around and backtrack, which is fun to pass other runners ahead/behind you... but also exhausting to have to loop especially at the end. The last .25 or so is downhill to the finis which was amazing.

It was my first half and I loved every (well mostly) every second of it. But all I will say is be prepared for the hills and mediocre post-race snacks