A review of the 30k.
The 2017 race was held on Saturday, September 16th. There was a 45k that started at 8:30 and the 15k started with the 30k at 9 am. It was a cooler morning, but warmed up quickly to a sunny, 90 degrees.

Registration: You could register online for and as race day approached the fee increased, and the chance of a unisex, soft cotton t-shirt, decreased. Race day registration was available for $50 and shirt was not guaranteed. Included with registration was a bib, (ankle style) timing chip, shirt and multifunctional headwrap. *The shirts are a real nice soft cotton, but the colors this year reminded me of John Deere, green with yellow.

Packet Pickup / Expo: There was no race expo, but there was a packet pick up held the Friday before at a local brewery. You could also pick your bib up the morning before the race, up to a half hour before the race started. Someone else could pick up your packet.

Pre-Race: The race is held at Pleasant Creek State Recreation area, there were signs posted in the park to direct runners to the correct parking lot. There was plenty of parking for everyone. The beach bath house was not open for use of the real bathrooms, so there were some port-o-potties set up on the road. A small walk to the start/finish area through some grass. Timing chips were distributed at this time, they were an ankle bracelet style. Last minute registration was open. Runners milled about until announcements were made with about 5 minutes to go. There was a mention that trail spots had been filled with rock, but since we had no rain, to be careful in those areas. The National Anthem was sung live.

Race/Course: The race was a loop around the lake. each loop was 15k. I ran 2 loops
-Terrain: Trail - rock, dirt, ruts, grass, sand, single track, open prairie.
-Elevation: not steep, but felt like we were always climbing or descending - lots of ups and downs
-Aid Stations: 3 on each loop, plus the one at the start/finish. Water, Gatorade on course and Tailwind at start/finish. Paper cups available to drink from, or you could fill your own. M & M’s, bananas, cookies, pretzels, plus Cola and Mt. Dew.
-Photographers: nothing official, just pictures from volunteers and other partcipants
-Spectators: there were only certain areas to access the trail, so spectators were mostly friends, family & volunteers
-Course Markings: there were flags closing off other trail entrances, signs on course with arrows, spray painted arrows on grass. No mile markers
-Volunteers: very friendly and attentive, always a smile when you approached an aid station, and happy to answer a question. Only saw volunteers at aid stations.
-Medical: There was an ambulance at the first aid station, about mile 2.
-Bathroom: port-o-potties at the start and one on course
-Scenery: the trail was out in the woods, and near a lake. Many things to see

Finish/ Post Race: The timing mat was strewn out, a timing clock and the remaining people, sitting at the tables, eating their post race food, were cheering you on. A “medal” was handed out along with a bottle of water as your chip was removed from your ankle. The medals were made from tree limbs that were cleared from the trail. All medals and awards were hand made.

The post race area was happening! There were grilled hamburgers, and hot dogs, watermelon, candy, chips, popcorn and CAKE! There was water, soda, tailwind and I imagine there was beer somewhere. I had to get going so didn't stick around long.

I wrote this in 2015 "Overall: For the price, race organization, and unique finisher’s medal, this event is top notch. “A race for runners, put on by runners.” This is one of the best trail races I have been a part of. I will try to run this again if my schedule allows." Same can be said for this year!

My race: ohhhh where do I begin... I thought I was signing up for the 15k, but made the mistake and ended up registered for 30k. I was on a tight time schedule as I was going to the Hawkeye game later that day. The weather was hot, the trail was uneven, and mentally maybe I wasn't in it. I finished 18.6 miles in 4:09... 5 minutes slower than my first year. A finish is a finish though... and I did not fall!

For more about my day check out https://marathang.wordpress.com/2017/09/22/pctr-30k-2017/

The 2017 event took place Sunday, September 3. Both races started (10k /13.1) at 7:30 am. It was sunny, 60 and HUMID. All events were at the New Bo Market in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Registration: This was available online starting around $40 and shirts were an additional cost. The price increased as race day neared, topping at $60. You could register at all packet pickup, including race day. Included with registration was a bib and timing chip, finishers medal, post race beer and food. If you were among the first 500 to get your packet you received a sticker too. The short sleeve, soft cotton shirt was $5 more, and guaranteed to a certain date.

Packet pickup: There was no expo. There was a packet pickup the Saturday before race day from 12-4pm at the Market. There was also race day pickup starting at 6am, before the race. There was plenty of parking in the area for both opportunities. Weekend street parking is FREE.

Pre-race: Due to the location of all race activities, the area allows for people to mill about and not be all crowded into one spot. Packet pick up and registration were going on. Volunteers were setting things up. There was running club apparel for sale. There were 2 banks of port-o-potties set up on side streets. Free Parking was in nearby lots and on the street.

The race itself started a block over from the market (or the finish.) The blue timing mats were rolled out. The National Anthem was sung live and then the race was started.

Race/Course: The course is out and back near the Cedar River, through the Prairie Park Fishery, and on the Sac & Fox Trail.
-Terrain: the course is on paved trail, asphalt roads, cement roads, dirt/gravel trail. There are parts to be more aware of footing with banking roads and larger trail rocks. Nothing major though. There are various railroad crossings.
-Elevation: overall the course is mostly flat, however there is a hill near mile 3 and some rolling hills after that. No steep climbs.
-Aid Stations: The course map with aid stations is posted online ahead of race day. There were water only stops each with paper.cups. (Some stops you hit going out and coming back.) One Gu stop.
*Same complaint, different year. There is no electrolyte drink on course. However, this is published ahead of time. I carried my own.
-Spectators: This is a smaller race, but grows every year and it seems the spectators do the same, and are very enthusiastic and giving high fives. Many family and friends, creative signs.
-Volunteers: There are police at all main intersections, including railroads. The water stops are manned by local school groups. All are friendly and helpful
-Photographers: The race provides official photos from one photographer for FREE. Volunteers will also post photos to the Facebook page.
-Mile markers: The course was marked well with flags at each mile. However, someone keeps stealing these flags. PLEASE STOP DOING THIS! There is a split of courses and this is marked with a sign and a volunteer telling people which way to go. There are also directional signs posted along the way too.
-Scenery: There isn't too much to look at, there is a short section along the Cedar River, and the Sac & Fox trail is nice.

Finish: There was an arch, and the faint murmur of announcements coming from the finish area. A blue timing mat was rolled out. There were spectators cheering people in. A volunteer handed out the handmade ceramic medal. It was in the form of the state of Iowa. Both the half and 10k got the same medals. Then another volunteer handed you a reusable plastic cup - this was to fill with water or get your free Lions Bridge beer.
*The announcer was doing the 10k awards as I finished, so not sure if only speedy runners heard their names announced as they finished.

There was a plethora of post race food, and it was specific to the Czech heritage of the area. There were kolaches, pretzel rolls, bananas, and breakfast burritos. There was a small tent with taps set up with beer. Runners got a free beer, saw many getting a second one. Other beer was available for purchase.
*They did not check IDs or check to see if I ran the race, however I had my bib and medal on. It did not appear they ran out of beer this year. However, they did run out of kolaches.

My race: I am a member of Corridor Running, who helps hosts the event, I did pay for my race entry. I thought I would be able to actually race the event... however the humidity said no, so I used the miles as a training run, pushing to do my best at the same time. I was also IG story & twitter posting for the club at the same time which slows things down. I had a good race with a time near 2:12.

Overall: This is a great race. There are no gimmicks and the price is great. It also kicks off the New Bo Arts fest.

for more check out my blog https://marathang.wordpress.com/2017/09/07/half-marathon-44-new-bo/

The 2017 race took place on Saturday, Aug 12. It started at 8 am and was sunny and a nice 55-60 degrees. The race is part of Springville Fun Days celebration

Registration: There was online registration available, or you could register on race day. Price increased up to race day, topping out near $35 (with a shirt) * There was a no shirt price too.. The shirt was short sleeve cotton blend, and there was a timing chip to attach to your shoe, I also received a draw string bag.

Pre-race: There was no expo and packet pick up was the same day as the race. There were 2 port-o-potties stationed near bib pickup. Also near bib pickup were past year participants shirts, for FREE. Parking was free around town on side streets, easy to find.
Runners made their way to the starting line and there were some announcements made and the National Anthem was sung.

Course: The course is an out and back, highlighting a loop through an active quarry. It's the only time the quarry shuts down.
-Elevation: The draw to this race is the quarry, and to get into the quarry is the one big hill, just after the one mile mark. This hill is also a race within the race, there are timing mats when you climb back out of the quarry to award the fastest King & Queens of the hill. This is the biggest climb of the race about 100 feet in a quarter mile.
-Terrain: Pavement, chip and seal, gravel
-Aid Stations: One water stop, near mile one, in paper cups, but out and back course, can hit it twice.
-Volunteers: So many people monitoring the course.
-Course markings: There were cones on the course and participants were told to stay to the left of them. Arrows were spray painted telling people which way to go. There were no mile markers.
-Photographers: There were people on the course taking pictures, I am not sure if they were "Official"
-Spectators: mostly townspeople or family / friends sitting in their driveways
-Overall time clock at the finish.

Finish: This was easy to spot with the blue timing mats. Once across the finisher mat you could get a printout of your results.

Post Race: Tables set up with bananas and granola bars. Cooler with bottled water.

Awards were announced once everyone finished. Overall winners followed by age group winners, followed by the King / Queen of the hill.

Overall: This is a great small town race. A unique distance with a challenge within the race. With so many 5ks, it's nice to have a fun option.

My race: I actually know the RD and I learned more about the race from a podcast. I planned to save some for the hill and actually race it. It was also not my first go at the 6k distance. I gave that hill everything I had, but I still wasn't crowned the winner, LOL. I finished near 34 minutes and enjoyed it!

you can find more on my blog recap too- https://marathang.wordpress.com/2017/08/13/springville-extreme-quarry-run/

Usually I don't like to keep writing reviews I have run multiple times, especially when I am the only one to write a review. However, this year's race experience felt a little different, so I decided to chime in with my thoughts.

The 2017 race took place on Saturday, Aug 5. It started at 8 am and was sunny and a nice 55-60 degrees. The race is traditionally the first Saturday in August and coincides with the Hometown Days celebration. It is a fundraiser for the Girls High School Track program.

Registration: There was online registration available, or you could register on race day. I did not see any forms around to print and submit by mail. Price increased up to race day of $30. Which did not guarantee a short sleeve, cotton, unisex, t-shirt. There was no chip timing, just a bib.
*I noted the online registration price and decided to forgo the fees and register on race day. It was easy, but I only paid $25. I even said that online registration was $30 and they didn't see it as a big deal. I snagged a t-shirt too.

Pre-race: There was no expo and packet pick up was the same day as the race. There were port-o-potties stationed around town as part of the weekend festivities. Parking was first come, first serve, wherever you could find it, as many roads were closed also for the weekend festivities including the parade, but you might have had to walk a block.Once runners were at the start line the mayor said "Go." People were still walking to the start line, but the race started promptly at 8am.
*The person the race is named after was not at the start this year.

Course: The course is run on the city streets of West Branch.

-Elevation: HILLS! There are some long hills in town, they are on the course.
-Terrain: pavement, some spots had to watch out for cracks or holes
-Aid Stations: If I recall there was one water stop at the half way point. I didn't stop
-Volunteers: There was someone stationed at each intersection, either a girls track member or a law enforcement official. There seemed to be a HUGE police presence, making the course easy to navigate as there are a lot of turns. However, the girls track members were sitting on the curb, looking bored. At one turn a car stopped to chit chat with an officer, blocking the intersection.
-Course: Some roads were open to traffic, had to be aware. The pavement had arrows marking the direction of the race. I do not recall mile markers.
-no photographers
-Spectators: mostly townspeople sitting in their driveways
- Overall time clock at the finish.

Finish: this was marked with some volunteers and track hurdles. There was a line painted on the street. The clock also displayed the overall time. a Volunteer took the tag off the bottom of the bib for placement.

Post Race: Tables set up with bananas, bagels and donuts. Coolers with bottled water. This area seemed out of the way from other post race announcements, which were on the other side of the street.

Awards were announced once everyone finished. Overall winners followed by age group winners. Now this is a smaller race so age groups were larger. The first 2 who placed were to be given awards. The overall winners were also announced as the winners of their age groups. When it came to my age group 25-49, the first place person got to choose from a selection of gift cards as they ran out of medals. I shockingly placed 2nd, I did not get to choose from the gift cards, even after I was asked if I lived around there. Then I was told they thought they had a medal for me.They finished announcing the other AG winners. I went across the street to get the medal they had for me, it was a random previous year's medal for 3rd place, and I was given another ribbon to change it out. I said, oh it's not a big deal I really don't need this. I did earn it, but this is ridiculous.

Overall: I try to do this race, it's in my hometown, I don't mind supporting the track program. However, if things don't improve... like doing what is published online, or actually caring... the race will not survive. I really feel they "mailed it in" this year. The race basics were great - actual 5k distance and a safe course, but there are other options to spend my money on too.

My race: Being familiar with the event, I went in preparing to race the event. I did a mile warm up before too. I knew where all the hills were, and the weather was great. I ended up with 27:25 as my overall time, which isn't a PR, but puts my pace at sub 9 minute miles and I am very happy about that.

The 7 mile race took place on Saturday, August 19th at 5pm.(The 5k started at the same time, different location) It was sunny and around 80 ish degrees.

Registration: Available online starting at $25 and topping off near $50. If you were alert, discount codes were offered across social media / emails. I think you could register at packet pick up times. Included with registration, unisex tech shirt, pint glass, free 2 week crossfit gym membership, post race beer.

Expo/Packet pickup: There was no expo. Packet pickup was multiple times before the race at Backpocket Brewery & the cross fit Gym. It was required to sign another wavier. Someone else could pick up your packet with the confirmation email. There was parking nearby in a ramp, or on the street.

Pre-Race: The race is point to point, runners needed to get to the shuttle bus at 4pm. I believe you would check your gear before you got on a shuttle bus. Once at the bus drop off there were 3 port-o-potties. There were cups to fill your own water. A short walk to the starting line, on the main road over the dam, which is not closed to traffic. I did not hear the Anthem or any race announcements, but I started in the back, and maybe just couldn't hear.

Race/Course: The course is a point to point from the Coralville Dam to the Backpocket Brewery.
-Scenery - Race start on top of the dam, run the road until there is a sidewalk along a busy highway. Run through Water Works Park, the Peninsula Neighborhood, finishing up along the Iowa River at the Brewery.
-Terrain - All paved surfaces, except a wood bridge crossing. No major hazards
-Elevation - Hills, they are all decent climbs.
-Spectators - Few and far between.
-Aid Stations - There were maybe 4 or so, all had water and some had Gatorade. I had to ask what they were giving out as each liquid was not marked. In paper cups
-Course markings- miles marked with signs and cones. Roads were open to traffic, little congested in the Peninsula neighborhood
-Photographers - there were people taking pictures along the course - still waiting to see them
-Volunteers - Most volunteers were at aid stations as the intersections were handled by law enforcement

Finish: Easily marked with a blue timing mat, and the timing company was making sure each participants chips registered. Once you finished someone handed runners a bottle of water.

Post Race: The actual post race takes part in the beer garden. This is where you could get a banana, Kashi bar and a free beer. When the results were complete, the awards were handed out. After the awards there was a stein holding contest to win free beer for a year.

My race: This was my second race of the day, and I had been awake since 2 am. I wasn't expecting much. I was also familiar with the course and knew there was not much shade and it was hilly. I started in the back, and started slow. I got in the groove and passed a few people, but slowed again on a hill, and just tried to push it to the finish. I had a time of 1:11 which was 6th in my AG.

Overall: At one time I said I would never run this race again...but here I was, my 4th time. It's got the draw of finishing at the Brewery and lots of people run it. I would register early for the best price.

*Also a note on the beer, no one was checking off bibs and no tickets had to be turned in. I hope all that ran got a beer.

For more with pictures, check my blog post https://marathang.wordpress.com/2017/08/24/dam-7-more-miles/