My first run in New York! I am a veteran halfer and this race was so disorganized that I was in disbelief that it was their 10th year. I assumed a bunch of non-runners put it together. The Expo was not descriptive of which building (out of a lot) they were in. There was no signage, and when we arrived for packet pickup, they were out of most shirt sizes, and all the free giveaways were gone. Nothing. The swag bag consisted of my race number and a shirt that didn't fit (that I was told I must take). For the price of this race I expected a little more than that.

The start line was complete chaos with 3 blocks-long lines that no one knew what they were for, except to get it. There were no signs, no people directing and no port-o-potties. Luckily we didn't have to go. The lines ended up being to get into security, depending on your race length and wave letter. We waited 45mins in the wrong line only to have to get into another long line. Once we got through security (they were serious with metal detectors, which I actually liked), I hit the potty, then was getting read to warm up and stretch...when security started yelling "start the race! Just go!" Even though we were not warmed up, and our wave wasn't supposed to start for about 20 more minutes. So we started.

The views were gorgeous and the crowds- oh man! I felt like I was in my own NYC Marathon. The crowd was inviting and wild and FUN! They made the race- it was incredible and they were so welcoming and happy to have us in their hometown. There were some bands and performers along the way, which were awesome. There was a section of cobblestone street that was killer on the joints, but also a neat experience.

The aid stations were ridiculous. The volunteers were awesome and cranking out as fast as they could with so few of them, but they water tables were after a curve, every single time and they were not consistent on which side of the road they were on. I missed so many because I couldn't get over in time.

The hills....oh man, the hills. I saw the elevation chart and it didn't seem like much, but on the course I (as well as a lot of others) were just dying. These hills were not something you could quickly overcome. They were long and slow and painful. People would shout "downhill from here", but only to my demise, it would be more uphill after a few minutes at a flat road. Very challenging.

The finish line was a cattle rush. Only water on one side of the chute, which, when you have that many runners, does not make sense. Obviously I couldn't make it to the water, but luckily was on the one side they were handing out medals. I finally was able to shove my way to some Gatorade at the end of the chute to realize they were not diluting the mix...I almost lost my stomach contents on poor runners, but luckily kept it together.

Overall, the race logistics were awful- enough to make me not want to do this race again, but the crowd and scenery were the only positives- thank goodness they were INSANELY awesome!

Side note: they did have a guarantee on shirt sizes, so I emailed them. They sent me my correct shirt size, however, even though it was labeled the correct size, it was the same measurement as the one from the expo... $200 for some memories, a (great) medal and not even a wearable shirt.

This is such a fun race! While it is "downhill to downtown", don't be fooled. There are a few baby hills in there every now and again. I do like them since it wake my legs up. Overall it is a smooth, fast course with people cheering all along the way since you run through public areas and neighborhoods. There are the random Austinites in costumes, playing music or handing out champagne outside of the UT campus (note to self- it makes things worse). It is definitely one that you can take in the views on, while having enough room to stretch out and find your pace.

The expo is alright- mainly a bunch of booths trying to get you to sign up for a time share, and the parking/traffic is always super annoying since it is in downtown. I always love the tech shirts since they look good and the material is very nice- not that cheap tech material.

I love the gels they offer along the course, as well as the huge finish line. I feel like the crowd is awesome and the finish is in the best spot- right in front of the capital. They have free shuttles to take you back up to the starting line so you don't have to figure that out, which is nice. I am not super thrilled about the lack of hotel availability in the area near the start line, which is why I am lucky we have friends that live close by.

Overall a very relaxing course, but one I recommend for either a first-timer or PR. I plan on being back, once my foot injury heals.

This was my first marathon. I must say it is quite different when you trained early mornings and learned to take layers off as you warmed up, only to get to a night race and feel like you have to layer up. This definitely made it interesting.

The expo was well-managed and smooth to get to (minus the lack of cabs and this was before Uber was ever really a "thing") and navigate through. I was easily able to change my corral at the expo (I had heard there was a hard 5:30 cut-off and was destined to pop up a couple corrals to avoid the dreaded pickup). The day of the event, was a quick walk to the start (you start over by Mandalay Bay, and my husband walked me over from our hotel, the Paris). The directions were pretty simple and my husband was able to be by my side to calm my nerves until I decided to enter the corrals. I was disappointed as Macklemore was the headliner concert, which I really wanted to see, but I was strict about my training and plan and refused to be on my feet more than I needed to before the race, so we only walked around the concert area. I wish it was post-race.

The half and full marathons were corralled together, which I didn't mind but had to remind myself that the other color bibs were not someone to "Race" against as they had half my distance to cover. As the sun started to set, the temperature started to lower, which actually wasn't as bad as I expected (even though it was below freezing when I finished). I think the cold actually helped my muscles.

For each wave they let go at timed intervals (this was perfect spacing!), they would shoot flames up and blast Fall Out Boy's "Light 'Em Up" so everyone got to experience the same start, which I loved. The strip was oddly silent. It was so strange to be running and seeing a ton of spectators and very few of them cheering. It was honestly very disappointing since I feed off the crowd.

The first half of the race was awesome- great views of the strip, nice and flat and even by Container Park, in which their grasshopper statue blew off fireballs. There were groups playing music and drumming on drums as we came closer to Fremont Street. Then, the split- signs to turn this direction for the half and continue on for the marathon. I doubted which one I should take for a split second, but pushed on. Once we left loud and exciting Fremont (the crowd was much better- I even had a tourist running next to me with his video camera haha), it got very quiet. It was almost a beautiful quietness, until it was too much. The course took us out into the "boonies" along dessert roads, past fast food restaurants, and soon, nothing but dunes. I was totally thinking about the last Dateline episodes of people buried in the desert. It was SO quiet (and I ran without music), and I was bored to tears for a lot of it. I had a lot of negative talk in my head since there wasn't anything to focus on, oh, and I barely missed that dreaded pick-up van.

This is the important part- I honestly don't think I would've finished the race had it not been for the FABULOUS, WONDERFUL, CHEERING volunteers manning the aid stations. They were my saving grace- they were the only ones out there in the middle of nowhere to give me the encouragement I lacked.

The volunteers were able to get me to the Stratosphere, where I knew I would make it as it was just "a bit" further. I had made it to the finish line at 5:18 (and some seconds), before the 5:30 cutoff (my main goal). The (i think) race director was there to high-five me and ask how it was and where I was from. He was so excited for me (but I also think overseeing the dismantling of the finish line, which I luckily was able to run under).

I was given a foil blanket and water and in my dazed state was directed to get a picture (which I am SO thankful for), and then was off to find my other half. Overall it was okay. It was painfully boring for the full, but I bet the half is nothing but fun!

This is such a killer race! I had run it on the inaugural race, with goals of completing the half. The hills were no joke- Old Pearsall Park in San Antonio would make me think I am in the Hill Country. Beautiful views after the first major climb, then you are too focused on the terrain to notice anything else. It is a fun race and very tough (annoying how in some areas the paths were so narrow you couldn't pass anyone/let them pass you). I had to drop out after the first loop (10k) due to gastro issues. There were turkey legs and Ranger Creek kegs for finishers to enjoy after. It really was a great race and I can't wait to try it again (but man that humidity will get you).

FYI the singlets they made (at least at the time- not sure if still the same) are amazing! The most perfect fit and since I had signed up early I got my name on it!