While I ran this last year, it's been a couple years since I posted a review...mostly because the race is consistent and there are no headaches.

Saturday January 27, 2018. Amana, IA. Race Start 10 am. Sunny, maybe 30 ish degrees.

Registration: This was available online, but had a cut off time a week before the race. You could also send in a form via mail. Before race day the cost was $20. Race day registration was available for $25. Proceeds went to support the area trails. Included with registration bib, timing chip, choice of long sleeve unisex shirt or 'meat bag' and post race Millstream Brewing beverage. There is also no shirt,no bag option.

No Expo. Packet pickup was at an old warehouse building. If you were preregistered you could check a sheet for your bib number. You also got your timing chip here. In addition to the indoor bathrooms, there were a couple of port-o-potties. The Visitor's Center restrooms were closed. Plenty of parking in nearby lots.

Race/Course: This was an out and back course, with a loop through the neighboring 'town' - Middle Amana. On paved surfaces, except the new "chip n seal" surface in Middle Amana. Mile markers for mile 1 and 2. No aid stations. Some spectators near the start/finish. A photographer was out and about. Flat, one small climb around mile 1.5. Not much to look at unless you like Iowa farmland.

Finish/Post Race: The timing mats and clock marked the finishing line. A volunteer removed the chip from your shoe. Timing sheet print out available. The post race festivities were in the warehouse where packet pick up happened. There was clementines, bananas, cookies, bagels, hot chocolate and bottled water. Awards were handed out and raffles were given away. A short walk to nearby brewery and you could claim your drink ticket

Overall: I always run try to run this race. I like to get something other than a t-shirt, the meat swag is always nice, the price is right. This is also one of the first races of the year and everyone comes out of hibernation.

The 2018 Triple D event took place on January 13 in Durango, IA. The half marathon started with the full and 50k at 10 am. Race starting temps were a feels like -6 and it was cloudy.

Registration: The race has a website with online registration, but this closes a day or so before the event. Race registration is available on race day. I paid $60 on race day and received - 2 stickers, a bib, a unisex cotton t-shirt and 2 Hammer gels. No chip timing.

Expo/packet pick up: There is no race expo. There is a bike part to this event too, which has a different situation, I will just describe the run. Packet Pick up was before the race at the race start/finish location - a small town bar. Lots of parking for free and an indoor bathroom.

Pre-race: Before the race there was a "meeting" about the course. We were told where to turn around and what to expect. No National Anthem, runners started at the spray painted line on the trail. It was really cold, and standing around was not fun.

Race/course: Out and back on the Heritage Trail
-Terrain: Trail - crushed limestone - weather will change this surface to be icy or muddy. For this year it was frozen and had some icy spots, or light snow cover.
-Aid Stations: There are no aid stations, this is a self supported event.
-Course Markings: no mile markers, no arrows, no one watching the road crossings. There is a turn around cone and spray paint at that area.
-Scenery: This is rural Iowa, pastures, farmland, back roads, and a ski resort.
-Elevation: FLAT!! one hill that crosses a road
-Photographers: no photographers
-Volunteers: No one on course
-Spectators: None

Finish: The person keeping the time was huddled in a tent at the finish, and others would come in and out of the warm bar to see who was finishing. A finisher medal was handed to everyone.

Post Race: The post race was held indoors at the bar. There was FRESH, HOT homemade pizza and runners could choose a bottle of water or Gatorade as part of their participation. I am not sure if beer was in the deal or not, or just available for purchase. As most half marathoners were finished, awards were presented and raffle prizes were given out.

My race: I needed to run some longer training miles as part of marathon training. I had also been training outdoors, so the cold wasn't a huge deal to me. I warmed up from standing around after the first mile and moved the entire time and had no issues. I carried water and snacks with me. I knew it was going to be a lonely event from looking at past participation, but that was ok, I like running on this trail. I also love races, and having a choice in frigid Iowa in January is great. I finished with a time near 2:21, which is average for me.

Overall: I am torn, I really like running this trail but I would say for a self supported event it is kind of pricey. What will make me return is knowing that the money goes to maintain and create new trails, and having a race option in January. I also liked the low key aspect, it was very laid back.

The even took place on Dec 31, 2016 at 10 am. It was sunny and around 65-70 degrees. It was run on the beach (it's why it's marked as a trail race)

Registration: Available online for around $25. Had to register before a certain date to get the race sweatshirt. Included was chip timing, bib a beer and wings. If you finished you got a medal.

Expo/Packet pickup: There was no expo. Packet pickup was before the race near the start at the pavilion. Just needed to tell a volunteer your name and they got you a bib and your beer and wing coupons. There was parking nearby in pay lots.

Pre-Race: There was a one mile swim held before the 5k. Participants were lined up for the start and could watch the swimmers. There were no pace corrals, but for the most part self seeding worked out fine. There were announcements and music over the loud speaker. The National Anthem was sung live. The toilets were open in a bath house for the beach.

Race/Course: The course was out and back on the sand at Clearwater Beach.
-Scenery - it doesn't get any better running along the water
-Terrain - the sand was all packed, but it was banked in spots and the finish was in the dry, loose sand
-Elevation - FLAT!
-Spectators - There were quite a few, but mostly because there were many people just out for their walk along the beach
-Aid Stations - one water only stop at the turnaround, with plastic cups. The Turnaround guy was holding a trash bag for the cups.
-Course markings- miles marked with signs in the sand
-No photographers
-Volunteers - everyone was so friendly, no need for many on the course, but the RD and all involved made you feel at home

Finish: The RD was greeting runners to the finish line, a volunteer gave you a medal, a bottle of water, and if you were the top 25 (male and female) finisher you received a card.

Post Race: The event was sponsored by Hooters, which was just across the street from the beach. It opened at 10:30 on the 3rd floor. This is where you redeemed your free beer (Michelob Ultra) and boneless wings. The RD gave out the top 25 finisher awards, and in handing out each one she did a small interview. While the wings and beer weren't the best, it was a fun event.

My race: I hadn't ran a 5k in forever, and my last race was a 50k at the beginning of the month. I just wanted to finish sub 30. I really like running on the packed beach, so I gave it my best, it was hard to run on the banked portions, but I finished in 29:14 and claimed a top 25 finisher award.

Overall: This is a great event. It's low cost, laid back and fun.....plus you get to run on the beach the last day of the year. I hope I get to do this again.

The 2017 event was held Thanksgiving day, November 23 at 8 am. It was sunny and temps were warmer around 40-50 degrees.

*I ran this race the last 4-5 years (I didn't write a review last year, it's basically the same review) However, I would like to note that unlike the past 2 years it had been dry leading up to this event, so the trails were not muddy.

This race is approximately 4 miles on trail, in Hickory Hill park. The actual distance is never advertised, but always draws many participants.

Registration: Online registration was near $25 and included a long sleeve cotton, unisex shirt, timing chip and bib. There was also race day registration. However they moved the location to the hallway area, and it caused some congestion, as I would guess the nice weather had many last minute registrants.

Pre Race / Packet Pick up: Parking was available at Regina high school, but first come, first serve. Race day pickup without a shirt was $25. Packet pick up was in the mess with the registration line. Bathrooms available in the school.

*The packet pick up and registration lines died down and there was no cause for late arrival to the starting line.

Race & Course: Race starts on the track at Regina High School. Announcements were shouted to the starting line, including encouragement to hug a fellow runner. After that, the race was off, a 300 yard trip around the track, and off into the Hickory Hill Park woods.

-Terrain: Trail - uneven, roots, leaves, rocks, through a field - optional creek crossing
-Aid Stations: There are no aid stations
-Course Markings: no mile markers, just follow the yellow flags through the woods. Signage for the short cut
-Scenery: these are woods in a city, slight chance you would see some wildlife, otherwise you see trees
-Elevation: While this race is not in the mountains, there are some hills, and tough ups and downs
-Photographers: no photographers
-Volunteers: No one on course
-Spectators: a few near the start and finish area

Finish: was back on the track, after another partial loop, was marked with a clock and blue timing mat. The entrance to the track was crowded as spectators were in the way. It was also the area to cross to head back indoors for post race refreshments. Timing chips were removed at the finish line. Paper results were posted on the track shed as quickly as they were updated.

Post Race: Lots of baked goods available in the cafeteria; bars, cookies, breads, etc. Water was available from a cooler. The age group winners were awarded pie.

Overall: I always try to run this race, I love that it's not the mellow "Trot" and it's a more difficult trail race. I always appreciate that families participate like it is the mellow turkey trot. If you are around Iowa City next Thanksgiving, add this your schedule.

The 2017 event took place on Sunday, November 12 at 7:10 am. (The full marathon started at 7am,and the wheelers started 5 minutes before each distance.) It was a cool 32 degree start, with rain just to the south, slight wind and cloudy.

The race is part of a race series. You can complete distances at the spring "Run Madtown" events to earn an additional medal.

Registration: This is available online, and closes a few days before the race. However, you can register at the expo the day before the race. I can not recall the price, but I do not remember it being out of line with similar event distances. It also increased as race day approached. Included with my registration was a personalize bib with timing strip, a long sleeve gender specific shirt (very soft), along with a bag of flyers. A virtual event bag was sent a few days prior to the race via email.

Expo/ Packet pick-up: The expo was held the day before the race at the Monona Terrace. It's an event space, parking is attached for $5. If you wanted to walk, you could park in town and walk. The expo was the only place to get your packet unless you paid extra for race day pickup. The bib pickup was simple, just provide the email with your bib number and an ID. Someone else could have picked up your bib if you had a copy of their ID. The expo was smaller, but included the usual running stores, area races and race branded merchandise. There were also water stations, so you could keep hydrated as you walked around. There was a station set up to check the timing chip on your bib.
*The expo was similar to last year, but in a smaller space. I arrived when it opened, there was a line, and it did feel a little cramped, and it was very warm in the smaller space. There were some booths set up outside the expo space.

Pre-race: The race starts and finishes at the Capital, which is the heart of Madison. Surprisingly enough on street parking is free, just blocks from this area. Gear check was set up, and you could use any bag, just had to attach the number on the bottom of your bib. There were a long line of port-o-potties set up, with minimal wait. An information tent was near the back of the corral areas.

There was no actual corral start, but there were pacers in the corral area you could line yourself up with. The marathon started first, with the half 10 minutes later, so you had to pay attention to what you were lining up for and where you were seeding yourself, as the corral system was the same for both race. There were some announcements and after a live singing of the National Anthem, the race had started. The corrals are also "back fed" meaning you enter in the back, so if you are faster you have to snake through the crowd to get to your pace area.

Race/Course:
-Terrain - the entire course is on pavement. There are spots that are new smooth asphalt, but other areas with potholes, nothing major, just pay attention. I also noticed some banked roads.
-Elevation - Madison has hills, they were on this course, the biggest being around mile 8-9.
-Photographers - on the course, and photos were posted the next day online FOR FREE!!
-Aid Stations -There were plenty of hydration stations on course, each had Gatorade- lemon lime, and water. It was water, Gatorade, water at each stop. The first few were very organized with liquids in different cups. However, the last few were a mix of what was in each cup. The Volunteers were vocal as to what they had to offer. There were a couple stops with gels.
-Spectators - there were not many at all. Most people on course were family of runners. The AS volunteers were energetic, so that was nice.
-Volunteers - Friendly people on the course, there were law enforcement at the major intersections helping cars across the streets.
-Course markings - Each mile was marked with a sign. There were cones on the roads that were open traffic, closing off just parts of the roads
-Race tracking - you could download an app for live runner tracking, I didn't see any split mats, but I could have missed them
-Scenery- This course is different from the other races, it does not go down State Street or near any UW features, instead it's near the lake and through residential neighborhoods.

Finish/Post Race: The starting area is the finish chute, so the arch with a timing mat are easy to spot. Once across the line, a volunteer placed a medal around your neck. There was a table with bottled water. Then a photo opportunity with the backdrop. A volunteer came out of nowhere to wrap a foil blanket around you. Then you keep walking to snag an orange slice and banana. Then you could chose your bagged Panera lunch (ham or veggie half sandwich, bag of chips and a cookie.) A result printout was available, and then you could claim a free Michelob Ultra using the tag on your bib. There were tables here to sit and drink your beer. Race merchandise was available for sale too.

My Race: If you know me, most of the time I just do my best and finish with a smile. This event was no different. At the time is was my last race on the calendar, so I was just going to take it in. I also run many races in Madison so I wasn't nervous. One of my favorite things about this race is the FREE parking 2 blocks from the start, this allowed me to sit in my car 15 minutes before the start.

Once I made it to the start, I lined up and was on my 13.1 mile journey to the finish. The start was really crowded. There is plenty of room for everyone to spread out in the starting corrals, but there was some construction on a street and at one point we all came to a halt because there were just too many runners. I think the half had the bulk of the participants, and the race didn't thin out for a few miles...but really you were always running with people.

I really did not care for this course. It was one of the more boring routes I've run in Madison, just running busier roads, so I welcomed the hills as something different.

I felt good the entire time, except for a new chaffing spot I could feel... UGH...I did finish in a time near 2:15 depending on which "stat" I will go by. This is a decent time, I wasn't specifically training for this, and I did not come away injured (does chaffing count?)

I like that they give you a bagged lunch and there is a beer offering, but come on...this is WI, how about a local craft beer? It is great that the beer area provides tables and a place to sit, many races should do this!

I do have to note that this race was a day after the Iowa / Wisconsin football game. IA had their butts handed to them. I still proudly wore a tigerhawk on my hat. I didn't have any problems until an officer standing near one of the last hills said something like "you are not giving up like your Hawkeyes!" Sure I can take a joke...but this guy is not my friend, in fact he needs to be making sure my safety is in check.... so I still have no love for you Badger fans. Also be nice and encouraging within the last mile of race...this was not.

Overall: Even though I would say this is my least favorite half course in Madison, it's nice to have an option in November for a longer distance. You can participate in events all year round in Madison, and each have something different. I basically wrote the same thing as last year, so it's a solid race. I have said this many times, I like running in Madison and will be back - when the Hawkeyes are not in town.