The 2017 5k was on Friday April 21 at 7:30 pm. It was cool, around 45 degrees.

Registration: Available online starting at $25 and increased to $50 if spots were open at the expo. Included was a short sleeve unisex tech shirt, bib with timing strip, drawstring bag, finish on 50 yard line of Memorial Stadium.

Expo/Packet pickup: The expo open Thursday evening and all day Friday at the nearby Rec Center on campus. The expo was a decent size with area races, running gear and race merchandise. However, you did get to the expo space until after you walked through packet pick up. This started by going up to clerk that was representing the event you were running, you showed them your unique QR code that was sent via email. They scanned the code and gave you your bib. You could pick up someone else's stuff if they sent your their QR code. No IDs were needed. After you got your bib, you then went to the expo to get a drawstring bag filled with flyers and race shirt.

*Parking for all events was FREE surrounding the stadium area, however there was a lot of traffic, so if you arrived at a busy time just needed to be patient.

*Before the 5k (Friday evening) there was a pasta dinner held at the ARC (rec center) this also included a talk from Dick Beardsley.

Pre-Race: The 5k start was a few blocks away from the finish. There were a lot of participants that were managed with a corral start. No one was checking bibs when entering corrals. *My corral was so full, not everyone fit. There were port-o-potties everywhere. The National Anthem was sung live.

Race/Course: The course was around Champaign on the streets
-Scenery - Not very scenic, however was fun to run through a college town on a Friday night
-Terrain - All paved except finish on the turf football field. The paved portions were ok, few spots to watch footing.
-Elevation - FLAT!
-Spectators - Lots of family/friends spectating near the start, and lots of people in the downtown college area.
-Aid Stations - One stop, there was liquid, I didn't stop so not sure if there was something besides water.
-Course markings- No problems figuring out which way to go. All major intersections had law enforcement
-Photographers - Marathonfoto at the start and finish
-Volunteers - there were so many volunteers, at intersections, pre-race, post race, very friendly.

Finish: The unique part about this race is the run onto the football field, the finish timing mat with arch is at the 50 yard line. You are handed a cool medal, and there is a chance to grab a bottle of water. Participants are then encouraged to move off the field. No post race food on the field.

There was access for spectators to sit in the stands and watch their friends and family finish.

Post Race: The concession stands were the place to go for post race food. There were bananas, Nature Valley Granola Bars, and Jimmy John's sandwiches. The actual party was on a nearby side street outside the stadium. This year was the 150th anniversary of the school, there was cake!! Also you could wait in line to get a craft beer while listening to some live music. Local food trucks and race merchandise were available for sale too.

My race: With the marathon the next day, I was using this as a shakeout run...get the legs loose. I just wanted to run some miles, so no goal, but to finish.

Overall: What a fun 5k! If you register early the price is great and you finish on a football field and get a medal!

The 2017 Easter Egg Scramble was held on Saturday April 15. It was a sunny 60 ish degree day. Very humid. Race start at 9 am.

*at this time I am the only review for this race, some things are the same, some different*

Registration: This was available online, as well as a form to submit via snail mail. The price increased to $40 until online registration closed 2 days before the race. Race day registration was possible, but no shirt guarantee. Included with registration,unisex cotton short sleeve shirt, drawstring bag, bib, shoe timing chip, finisher medal, post race burrito & beer, and finisher's print out.
-There was also a 1/2 mile kids race for $15, which gave kids entry into the post race egg hunt.
-Lots of pre-race emails with information.

Expo/ Packet pick up: No true expo. You could pick up your things at a heath center in the Davenport area the day before the race. Someone else could pick up your things. Race day pick up was available as well as race day registration.

PreRace: The race start was on a side street, near a small park. There were port-a-potties and nearby free parking ( short walk across the highway.) There were 2 short distance kids races that were held before the 5k start. There was music and announcements over the PA system. No National Anthem.

Race/Course: Run on side streets in the East Village neighborhood.
-Terrain: all paved course, no major potholes
-Elevation: hilly! first half mile is all uphill, incorporating parts of the BIX course. It's not the mountains, but train hills.
-Course Markings: No mile markers, course closed off with cones, but still open to traffic, busy parts of River Drive
- Spectators: mostly family/friends, few if any
-Volunteers: law enforcement stationed at all major intersections, other volunteers at other areas on the course
-Aid Stations: no stops
-Scenery: not much to see as most is run through a residential neighborhood, parts of the last mile have a view of the Mississippi River

Finish: The finish had an arch and timing mat. However, once you crossed the timing mat you were given a medal and then instructed to take a hard right turn to have your timing chip removed. The finish is downhill, so it's tough to come to this stop and take the turn... need to be able to walk it out. No water until post race party area.

Post Race: The post race party was behind some buildings in a parking lot, off the street. You had to wait in line, no water yet. There was beer (Sam Adams Summer Ale,) water, breakfast burritos, a sparking water beverage and some recovery bars. There was a 2 person live band playing some rockin tunes. Fleet Feet was there. Awards were announced when all participants were finished. The Easter egg hunt was across the street for all kids who participated in the fun run.

Overall: I've run this race a few times, and I keep coming back, The price for a 5k is higher than most, but you get a medal and a decent post race party. You also get a challenging course.

Personal: The goal, sub 30...as most 5ks. I ran a 50k the week before, and had a marathon the next week. Anymore a 5k is tougher than a 50k, I would rather run slow and long for hours, than try to speed through 3 miles. I knew the course, so I just tried to push when I could, I had a speedy second mile, but the wind along the river in the last mile was tough. I finished in a time of 27:12, I'll take it!. Happy Easter!

The race took place Saturday, April 8th in Solon, IA, around Lake MacBride, starting at 8 am, with the 25k starting at 8:30.

Registration: This was available online, price is around $75. However, register early, event is capped and sells out quick!! Included with your entry is a unisex, short sleeve tech shirt, bib & timing, well supported aid stations, finisher's medal.

Packet pick up/ expo: There is no expo for this race. You could get your bib at the running store the days before the event, or someone else could grab your things too. There was also pickup the day of the race, this is also the only time to get the timing chip that went around your ankle.

Pre-race: The location of the event allowed for ample on site, free parking. There were indoor bathrooms and a few port-o-potties set up outside. People milled about, laid back atmosphere. When it was time to start the race, people lined up, and there was a "GO." No National Anthem.

Race/Course: The race was 2 loops around Lake MacBride.
-Terrain: crushed limestone, paved, spillway water crossing, single track trail, road shoulders.
-Elevation: there are hills, some steep. Prepare for them...however it's not the mountains, just be ready for some short climbs
-Scenery: Great to run round the lake and see the wildlife, last parts on the highway are not as scenic
-Photographers: they were on the course near the start/finish and at the spillway crossing. There were also some aerial shots available. Photos posted quickly online for purchase.
-Spectators: for being a trail event, there were quite a few people out and about cheering everyone on, mostly family and friends
-Course markings: the course was marked with pink flags, could have been more markings or ribbons in the trees. There were no mile markers.
-Aid Stations: There were 3 major stops, which included the start/finish, then another stop that was really close to a main stop. They were spaced about 5 miles apart. Well stocked with water, Gatorade, soda, chips, cookies, candy, gummy bears, sandwiches.
-Volunteers: Great group of people helping at the spillway crossing, cheering you into the aid stations, filling water packs. Anything that was needed, there was someone to help.

Finish / Post race: Easy to see with a timing mat and clock. Other participants were cheering in runners. There was a post race pot luck, all participants brought something to share. Most of the offerings were cookies and sweets. There was a lot of food.

My Race: I knew going into the race that I could possibly set a 50k PR. I really didn't know much about the course except the crushed limestone part. I did my best, and just kept moving forward. The spillway crossing wasn't a big deal for me, but the climb out of the area was tough. I did take a fall on the trail, but this resulted in me meeting a friend to run the majority of the second loop with. With a great first loop time, I knew a PR was still within reach, however the temps were rising, close to 80 degrees, and the last 3-4 miles on busy road shoulder in the blazing sun and wind did me in. I did finish with a good time for me of 7:15.

Overall: This race is great! An ultra in my backyard. Great price, great course, great people. I will run this again!

check out my adventure on my blog: https://marathang.wordpress.com/2017/04/14/spillway-sunburn/

The 2017 event took place on Saturday, March 11. It was unseasonably cold, with temps around 20, and a slight breeze. The sun made an appearance.

There were 2 distances to run, the 3.17k or the 6.34k. This was the first year for the double loop. (I ran the double)

Registration: Available online, starting at $25 and increasing to $30 the day before the race. There was race day registration. If you registered by a certain date, you got a pint glass with the race logo. Also included was chip timing. For an extra $5 you could purchase the post race brunch.

Expo / Packet pick up: There was no expo. Packet pick up was held an hour and a half before the race start. Easy system of telling them your name, grab a bib and the chip for your shoe. No ID required, and you could pick up someone else's stuff.

Pre-race: There was plenty of on street parking for free, but had to make sure you didn't park on race course, they would tow your car. There were 2 port-o-potties set up. There was a table set up to learn about the club's membership and general information. Music was playing before the race, then there were some announcements. This included encouraging everyone to gather closer to the starting arch. Then we were told to "go."

Race/Course:
-Terrain: All on paved surfaces, variety of old brick roads, asphalt and cement. This time of year in Iowa, potholes are a given, so be on alert. The course is all on city streets.
-Elevation: While the elevation isn't super tough, the course is 2 loops of 3.17k, each loop ends with a pretty decent uphill, making the short course a good challenge.
-Course Markings: The course was open to traffic, and there were lots of cones that sectioned off the course from cars. There were no mile markers.
-Photography: There were 2 photographers on course, one on top of the giant hill.
-Spectators: none, but it's a short race, and people at the finish were cheering in runners
-Volunteers: There were people at all busy intersections, and police were at the ones with heavy traffic. There were some missing, but there it's the beginning of spring break and there isn't much traffic in general.
-Aid Stations: There was a water stop at the finish line. In a race of this distance with the weather, not sure water on course is necessary. However if you did the double loop, you could grab a cup of water at the finish.

Finish: The start and finish were the same, so it was easy to spot. A volunteer took the chip from your shoe. There was bottled water and bananas available after the race, had to walk back into the center of the park to claim.

Post Race: The more traditional post race party was held at a bar in the downtown. You could walk there, but best to drive and you would have to pay to park at a metered spot. The bar is Irish themed. They had an irish stew that was the $5 brunch special. Awards were given out here, overall winners and the first place AG winner received prizes.

Overall: This is a great race to tune up the legs, short and fast with a challenging hill. It's priced right and there is a fun post race party.

My race: I didn't have any expectations going into this. I volunteered with pre-race activities, so I had been outside for a couple hours before it started. I was cold, my legs felt strange the first loop, I could feel my muscles warming up. I pushed along, and was surprised at my overall pace, hitting sub 9 minute miles. I had a year running distance events, so nice to see some speed. Also I have never ran this distance, so instant PR! I was also very warm when I finished. I like the change up of the short distance, and the added hill!