Registration: Online. The half marathon was a lottery system, but the full was open to all, and I believe in the $100 range. Included was a bib (still trying to figure out if having your name was an extra cost), timing chip, race brochure, finisher's shirt, & post race beer.

*I did not secure a hotel early enough, and was not going to spend the money to stay at the dorms. I spent the night before in MPLS, and woke up at 1:30 (Disney had me prepared) and drove to Duluth. Therefore I did not attend the expo. I was able to get my packet sent to my house a week before the race for $15.

Pre-Race: Each race is a point to point, meaning you would not be starting where you finish. The school bus shuttle started at 4:45 am and continued to 5:15 at various locations near the finish. These pick up spots were also close to parking areas. I parked at the Duluth Convention Center for a $5 all day fee. There was plenty of parking when I pulled into the ramp at 4:20 am. There were also numerous port-o-potties at this location.

Once each bus was packed with runners, it left for the start, north of Duluth. We were dropped near the starting corrals. There were port-o-potties as far as the eye could see. A water station was set up with paper cups. A sign was placed that all runners should be in the corral by 6 am. A gear check bag drop was available, the clear bag and number sticker was provided by the race.

Once in the corral area, we were instructed to line up by pace, however it was a tad confusing. There were signs that displayed per mile paces, but near the back it went from 8:30 per mile to walkers and slow runners. This is where I was, and it was crowded. Then the pacers showed up, the 2:30 pacer was standing near me, so at the last minute I made my way closer to the front, found the 2:15 pacer near the 7 something per mile.

The elite corral was off first at 6:00 am, after a live rendition of the National Anthem.

Race / Course: The course was run on paved roads, cement or asphalt. There were no potholes or hazards, but because of the dampness the painted lines or repair spots were slippery. Each mile was marked with a blue balloon in the air. There was a clock near the halfway point and the 10 mile mark. The course is flat and runs along Lake Superior, due to the fog the Lake wasn't too visible. There were hills, which were highway overpasses. There were many hydration stops with water & blue Powerade, each in paper cups and marked with a sign. There were ice stops, a wet sponge stop & bananas, oranges & strawberries. Lots of volunteers, many law enforcement officials at the busy intersections. MarathonFoto was on the course taking pictures.

Spectators: The course north of Duluth is remote, however there are still many spectators with great signs. There was a person in a Lion costume jumping on a trampoline, there was a troll doll display, and let's not forget the free bacon stand. There were more spectators as we neared the city, lots of cheering.

The last mile had a lot of twists and turns, but the finish was in sight marked with a clock and arch of red balloons.

Post Race: A medal was placed around your neck, then after a few more feet a bottle of water was handed to you, then you had to wait in line to get your finisher's t-shirt - yes you earned the shirt! Different shirts & medals for the half & full. Then you could get a mylar blanket & your refreshment ticket and proceed to the food. There were sliced bagels, peanut butter on a spoon, yogurt, strawberries, orange juice, chocolate milk, & ice cream sandwiches. The food was not set up linear, you just went from booth to booth. There were also volunteers near the trash, recycle & compost bins to get the correct items in the right containers.

Once a racer went through the runners only food area, there were stakes with letters to meet up with friends and family. From there if you wanted to redeem your refreshment ticket you had to go to the big white tent in a separate area. You could redeem your ticket for one of 3 variety craft brews, an aluminum bottle bud light, or coffee. In the tent area was a large screen showing the finishers and a stage for the live music. There was a merchandise tent too.

The gear check area was nearby, but it looked like a disaster. Didn't seem like there was a plan or organization.

Overall: I would definitely run this race again. The biggest problem is the starting corral, but it's manageable. The flat course and great town has me considering the full.

Registration: I was sent a registration form through the mail, I sent it in early for a $15 fee with a cotton t-shirt, bib & chip timing. You could also register on race day for $20, with no shirt guarantee. No online registration.

Pre-race: Parking available near the start on the street. Real bathrooms in the community center. Registration and pick up prior to the start. 1 mile fun run at 6:40, Which Laura and I ran as a warm up, though we didn’t cross the finish line. We also paced a young boy to the finish, encouraging him to not stop.

Race: A few announcements, no anthem, then a gun start. Course was through town on paved and asphalt surfaces. One water stop, paper cups, that was organized by someone who lived on the course. Course was well marked and super flat! Chip timed from the gun start. Volunteers only at major intersections, law enforcement officials at Hwy intersections. Some turns had no volunteers, but arrows on the pavement. Each mile was marked with a yard sign.

Post Race: Crossed the finish line and were handed a bottle of water and a banana was available. As people were still finishing AG winners could pick up their medals, not a formal announcement of AG winners. When the race was over, overall winners were given trophies and those were announced. Group photo of all winners. Showers available to those who wanted one.

Personal notes: Ran a great race with Laura. We did start way too fast, around a 7:46 mile, with the heat, I then ran the next 2 miles around 8:04 ish. Laura has been battling IT Band issues and slowed downed, but she hung in there. I was 6 seconds from my PR.

Overall: I will always run the race (if I can) because of the price and ease of the course. Parking is never a problem. Also it’s small enough for me to place in my AG.

Registration: available online, in the range of . Included with your registration was a back pack, personalized bib, timing chip & some Chipotle coupon for KC area.

Expo / Packet Pickup: Large expo at the Crown center in downtown. Parking available on site, bring your ticket inside for validation, FREE parking. Bib numbers posted for packet pick up, which was located in the back of room. Room full of vendors. Expo started Thursday, and ran through Friday. No Saturday pick up. A friend could grab your packet if you had their ID. My ID was never checked.

Pre-race: Parking available near by in garages & open surface lots, all for FREE. Garages had restroom facilities, as well as port-o-potties near the start. There was a tent with some coffee & tea. The nearby Panera was open as well.
*This year the weather was a factor, a storm was passing through, starting about an hour before scheduled start time. It was a down pour and lightning show. However announcements were being broadcast over a loud speaker and the race was scheduled to start on time at 7am. Went to the starting corral as told, only then to be told to take shelter, race is delayed. Went back to parking garage, and a race official came through to tell us announcements as couldn't hear broadcast announcements. At 7:30, didn't hear an official tell us the race was starting, but the herd of people made it back to the starting corrals.
There were lots of corrals, I believe A-G. The 10k also started with the half. The National Anthem was sung live. Then it was time to run.

Race /Course: The race started through downtown KC, then turned south and looped us back north and back to the start. It was all on paved surfaces, cement & asphalt. The parts that were either painted or repaired were slippery as the rain kept falling. There were many rolling, long climbing hills, with the steepest hill near the end. Pacers were on the course by time, very friendly & encouraging. There were a lot of runners, but course was always wide enough it didn't feel crowded. Each mile was marked. Lots of hydration stations with water & Gatorade, each liquid had a different paper cup & volunteers shouted which liquid they had. There were spectators, the rain could have kept many home. Each corner had a volunteer or law enforcement official. The finish had a clock and arch.

Post Race: A volunteer handed participants a giant finishers medal. (if you participated in the 5k the night before, you received another medal for the re-run) There were dry towels, peanut butter crackers, bottles of water, chocolate milk, bananas, fruit strips, & granola bars. The chute was protected on each side with metal gates. Merchandise was available for sale in nearby shopping center. There were tags on the bottom of the bib for a free pancake breakfast with sausage & Tang, and a tag for a free Michelob Ultra. Free post race massage for runners too. The rain put a damper on a lot of post race fun.

Overall: Run this race! Despite the weather the organization had everything in order for a great race, the hills were a challenge.

Background: This is a small town race to benefit a man with ALS. There is a 5k and a challenge. The challenge is held after the race in a park. You could enter the challenge if you were up to attempting 123 pushups in 2 minutes followed by 95 situps in 2 minutes.

Registration: No online registration. Form found on local race calendars to print and then send a check. $20 before race day, $25 on race day. The challenge was $5. Cotton t-shirt included with registration.

Packet Pick up: Held up until 7:45 am in the school commons, no bibs, but picked up your shirt. Could also still register.

Pre-race: Announcement was made to walk a block to the start line. All racers gathered, some kind words were spoken, the race route was described, and then a siren was sounded. The official clock was brought to the start as well, started as the siren sounded.

Course: Flat course through the streets of Clarence, IA. All paved surfaces, cement, chip & seal, and asphalt. Lots of pot holes or cracks. Course was marked with yellow painted arrows on the streets and cones. There were mile markers. One water stop with paper cups near the 2 mile mark. Not many spectators. Finish line with clock and chute. Paper numbers handed out with finishing place.

Post – Race: After all finishers were in for the 5k, a 1 mile race was run. Turned in finishing papers to official results person. Granola bars, bananas, fruit snacks, Gatorade and water available. There were also baked goods available for sale as part of a fundraiser. A juggler was entertaining the crowd. After all races were over and lots of juggling the awards were announced.

Overall: Decent price, flat course, good cause. I would run again, if I am free and have the money

Race background: This was the first year for the race. The race was organized by the newly formed Regina Running Club. The school had participated in the Girls on the Run, but the boys wanted in on the fun. The school organized a group for everyone.

Registration / Packet Pick Up / Pre-Race: Registration was available online for $25 and included a cotton race shirt and optional dye at the finish, you could also sign up on race day. Packets or bibs in this case could be picked up prior to the race on race day. Plenty of parking available in the school parking lot. No port-o-potties, but the school was open. A few announcements were made about the course to the running group. We lined up on the street and someone said “go.”

Race: The race started on the paved street, then quickly followed the paved sidewalk. All surfaces were void of major cracks. Out and back course with a couple of steep hills. Water at the half way, turn around point. Volunteers at every intersection and turn. Volunteers were also the mile markers. Most of the spectators, or parents were stationed near the finish line. The course was marked with colored chalk arrows, one color on the way out and a different on the way back. The finish transferred to the grass, and if you wanted “color” was squirted as you approached the finish line. (you had to make it clear you didn't want to be sprayed with color) There was no visible clock, just a volunteer with a watch.

Overall: Great race for the kids, challenging course. For a first year race it went pretty smooth.

Personal: I had 7 miles on tap for the day, this was my first race of the day. I ran with Laura, or rather she kicked my butt again. I felt good, but guilty as I passed all the kids. My Garmin had a time that was a lot faster than the official results, garmin of 25:40. I received and email with the results and a message that stated “Some times might be slightly off for those who attempted to avoid the color by avoiding the finish shoot.” Yes I avoided the color, but I didn’t walk around another 100 yards for my 26:37, strange, but it was a small race. I did place 3rd overall as a female. Not sure I would run this again, I am not a fan of color runs and I don’t think it’s fair to the kids.