Registration: You could register online through Eventbrite, Cost was only $6 without a t-shirt and $21 with. Chip timing was included. Late registration w/o a shirt was only $10, which you could do minutes before the start of the race.

Packet pick up: There was a pick up the Friday before the race, and others could grab your stuff for you. Held in the commons of the High School. You could also grab your bib the morning before the race. No expo, just pick up & registration.

Pre-Race: Plenty of parking, as the race started/finished at a high school. School was open for use of the bathrooms, otherwise there were no port-o-potties. There were also drinking fountains.

Race / Course: Just before the race started, there was one wheel chair entry that started before the masses. Then a few announcements about the course were made, and we were off after a gun start. The course snaked through school property on all kinds of terrain, pavement, asphalt, trail. There were no course arrows or signs telling you which way to go, just follow the crowd. There were only volunteers or law enforcement officials at the intersections with the main roads. There was a water stop at the half way point, with paper cups. No mile markers. Flat course, an incline here or there, but no major hills. The finish had a banner, clock and the timing mat. Small chute and a volunteer removed the timing chip.

Post Race: There were bottles of water, energy drinks, oranges, apples, granola bars, and bagels with cream cheese inside the school commons. There was a kids race after all 5k participants were in. Awards were given out.

Overall: Great price, but very low key as far as race organization.

Registration was available online or you could print a form. Included with the fee of $25 ish, was chip timing, colorful bib, post race goodies, tech shirt, and shot glass.

Packet pick up was held the evening before, and someone else could grab it for you. There was also a pick up the morning before the race.

Pre-race: The was plenty of parking in a lot across the street from the restaurant sponsoring the race. Port-o-potties scattered around the start/finish.

Course: Snaked through a residential neighborhood on paved streets. There were no major pot holes or cracks to watch out for. There were a few hills, nothing too steep. Each mile was marked. A water stop with paper cups at the half way point. Course had law enforcement at the major intersections, however some other intersections had no volunteers or arrows on the street directing you the way to go. The start/finish was marked with an arc and a clock. My garmin had the course short, but maybe we missed a turn?

Post race: All day party held at Ganzo's restaurant. Tent had been set up for the festivities. Each participant receives 2 beers or tequila shot and a bowl of nachos. Awards for overall (tv's) and age groups also award for best costume. Party continued all day.

Overall: It was a good race to kick off Cinco de Mayo. The course had enough hill for a challenge, but enough post race festivities to have fun.

Registration: This was available online or you could fill out a form to send in. Rates started at $40 and increased to $50 on race day. This race is also part of "Iowa's Longest Marathon" in which you could also register for the Run for the Schools half in October. Included with your fee was a short sleeve tech tee, chip time, coupons, flyers & chapstick.

Packet Pick up: Many chances to get your things with 3 different pick ups. One Friday at the RMH, one Saturday at the mall, and one before the race. Someone else could pick up your packet. No expo, just a pick up. Organizers always kept participants informed through emails.

Pre-Race: Parking was available near the start / finish in adjacent lots around Carver Hawkeye Arena. CHA was where race day registration & packet pick up were taking place, but it also meant the bathrooms were open, access to the drinking fountains. and keeping warm.

Race / Course: There were 3 races, a half, 5k, and kids run. Each had a different start. The start of the half was at 8 am, and after we all lined up in the finishing shoot, someone said go and the race was underway. The course was on paved streets & sidewalks, no major cracks or pot holes. There were a lot of hills, nothing steep or long, just a lot of hills. There were law enforcement officials at the busy intersections, and volunteers at most other intersections or turns. There were also arrow signs stuck in the ground. Each mile was marked. Various hydration stops with blue Powerade and water in paper cups, some stops used different cups for different liquids, usually volunteers shouted what they had. No food stops on the course, unless you knew a friend. Spectators were few and far between. There was a halfway timing mat. There were port-o-potties on the course. There were photographers on the course, but at my pace I did not see any of them, except at the start. No course entertainment. The finish was also the start, marked with an arch and the clock. There were two chutes as the 5k was ran during the half.

Post Race: After a medal was placed around your neck, there were plenty of food choices. Bananas, apples, oranges, granola bars, fruit snacks, bagels, chocolate milk, orange juice, apple juice & water. A time print out station was set up to get your finishing time. A special presentation with a great family was made about how the Ronald McDonald house helps families, then awards for overall and age group winners were handed out.

Overall: I will always try to run this race because there are not a lot of longer distance races in my town. I also like supporting the Ronald McDonald House. The course is also a nice challenge, would be nice to have more spectators.

Registration: Participants could register through getmeregistered.com or by submitting a form through the mail. Registration was open until the start of the race. Race distances included 10k, 5k, 1 mile, & kids fun run. Costs from $20-$30, price increased closer to race day. Early registrants received a t-shirt & entry into a random prize drawing. Everyone received a swag bag with flyers, coozies, etc

Packet Pick up: Held at the elementary school Friday evening before race, or race day. No expo.

Pre-Race: Parking available near elementary school, but come early as the street is blocked off. Other parking available a block away on street at Public Library. Timing chips were distributed race morning. The school was open for bathrooms or the drinking fountain. Announcements were made and a school kid sang the National Anthem.

Race: The 5k & 10K started at an inflatable arch and went south from the school to the Hoover Park on the city streets. Once in the park a portion of the course was on a small gravel walkway. We looped the park and headed north back on the gravel & city streets to catch the Nature Trail. The section of trail within the city limits is a chip & seal surface, the 10k went out further on an actual trail surface, some crushed lime stone & dirt. There were 2 water stops for the 10k, in styrofoam cups. Once the out & back of the trail section was completed, there were 2 steep hills and the finish. All portions of city streets did not have any major hazards, but always a good idea to check for cracks or a change in the pavement. Each mile was marked. The local police were at the major intersections and many volunteers at other crossings. The finish was on the downhill and marked with the inflatable arch and the timing clock. A volunteer clipped the chip off your shoe.

Post Race: Lots of baked goods, cookies, bars, muffins, bananas, oranges, chocolate milk, yogurt tubes, & water. The one mile race was at 10:30 and the fun run at 11. Awards were announced afterwards. Herky made an appearance and encouraged mile & fun run participants. There was a gymnast station set up and Bondi Bands were for sale.

Overall: Great family orientated race. A distance for everyone. The 2 hills near the finish make the course.

I returned to conquer the Blue Ridge Mountains for a 2nd time. Packed the car and took the 14 hour road trip to Virginia. I am not crazy, I just hate flying. Madden cruiser anyone?

We arrived late Thursday (4-24-14) evening. Checked into Hotel Roanoke (which was walking distance to all activities), claimed our hot chocolate chip cookies, and rested up for the festivities.

Bright & early Friday morning we met up with a small group for the shake -out run. It was a sunny morning as we jogged along the greenway.

The expo & packet-pick up wouldn’t start until 3pm and the pasta party at 6:30. We had time to explore the city, Roanoke makes a tourist feel at home. We checked out the many shops and settled to eat lunch at 202 Market, which had a great GF menu. At that time the skies opened up and the rain flooded the streets.

We managed to wait out the rain & waste enough time until the expo opened. The packet pickup was held in a tent outside the City Market building. There was a line for each race event, full, half, 10k. Shirts were to be picked up on the 2nd level inside the City Market where the actual expo was happening. Lots of free samples, stickers, , you could buy custom made shirts. Foot levelers was measuring feet in the center of the room. Also on the 2nd level was Fleet Feet Sports Roanoke, where we took advantage of some rolling.

The pasta dinner featured guest speaker Zoe Romano. A buffet of pastas, salad, meatballs, bread & desserts. Tickets could be purchased ahead of time for $25, there was also limited availability at the door. A friend still needed to buy a ticket, when we approached the “list keeper” she informed us that the Chesapeake Running Club had purchased her a ticket. After a round of thanks, we discovered some were originally from Iowa.

The pasta dinner included an overview of the course, 7400 feet of elevation gain anyone? Then the featured speaker Zoe Romano told us of her trek across the Tour De France route, via her feet. Inspirational story about the ability to accomplish anything you set out to do.

Saturday morning, race day. It was sunny, about 55 degrees. Iinstead of making coffee in the hotel room, left the room at 6:20 ish in search of a fresh brewed cup. Imagine our surprise when no business is open before 7 am in downtown Roanoke. Coffee is liquid gold to us, the race started at 7:35. It was a stressful start, but we found a shop & grabbed a cup at 7:01 am.

Just before the race we meet up with the others and cheered the unofficial double runners across the starting line. This course is tough, but there is a small group that runs the full marathon course twice, waking up at 2:30 am. Once all doublers are in, the 2 hand cyclists are on their way. Our group disbands, with “good lucks” all around, we proceed to our corrals. Which were new this year and based on the honor system. The singing of the National Anthem was performed and the gun went off.

All three races started at the same time.

Full Marathon Course: This race is tagged “America’s Toughest Road Marathon” It definitely lives up to that name. This is only the 5th year, and each year organizers add more elevation. The start of this race takes you up Mill Mountain, on the paved asphalt road. The half and 10k split at the turn for the top of Mill Mountain. The full continues to do a loop up and down Roanoke Mountain, the steepest climbs of the race. However the view from this peak was spectacular, complete with a bagpiper, bananas, oranges, water, gummi bears, pretzels & a purple sports drink. (I was told it was Gatorade and told it was Gu Brew)

We were running the Blue Ridge Parkway. There were port-o-potties and a few spectators on this section of the course. However all the volunteers, law enforcement personal, & other runners were excellent support. At this time the temperature had started to climb.

When the full course joined back up with the peak of Mill Mountain, we were greeted with another fuel stop & a spectacular view of Roanoke. Volunteers couldn’t take your picture quick enough, they were so kind! I caught a course photographer on the decent, all race photos are free! At about the midway point of the way down a lady was serving “Moo-mosas” I recalled her from the prior year, when she only had glass serving ware. This year she was prepared, with a cow theme, plastic glasses & high end champagne.

After accomplishing 2 peaks, there is still one more to go. Taking a tour through parts of the city, where there were more enthusiastic spectators, & a portion of the greenway, we ascend Peakwood. Oh Peakwood…it’s not the steepest, but at mile 17 your legs are tired! This climb has many housing developments, which brings out some fun spectators. Spectators who cheer, but also think they are helping by informing you of a flat section, or you’re almost to the top.

Once I had snaked through the neighborhood, eating some more bananas and gummi bears, I had made it to the party on Peakwood. They had tents set up with food & champagne. After the “moo-mosa” stop, some heart burn, & increasing temps, I snagged a paper cup of water, noticed the “no alcohol past this point” sign, and made my way down.

This is where I like to use the phrase “Pain of Peakwood” the down hill is no joke, your quads are on fire, and you have no control. When I passed mile marker 20, I took a photo & let my friends know where I was, as race tracking was an additional charge. I also glanced at my watch, I thought with the heat I wasn’t doing so well, but it wasn’t the case a race PR was possible.

I continued on, I really hadn’t hit a wall, I was just being smart. The last 6 miles were tough, mentally you are thinking you are done with the mountains, but the sneaky organizers decided the added elevation would be in these miles. It was also getting too hot, temps reaching 80 degrees with minimal shade. I hit all the water stops and carried on.

Mile 25, I was going to run the rest of the way. My legs were tired, but the Hanson marathon method had us run so many miles on tired legs, I knew I could do it. Then there it was, the finish line! I heard some “GO ANG’s!” from the side and jumped across the finish line. I PR’d this race. Officially by 23 minutes from the previous year. I hope the race organizers don’t read this, they’ll make it harder, lol.

I proceed to walk the chute and to the food tent. The one area that could use some improvement. It seemed like it was crowded into it’s spot. The only food left for me was oranges, bananas, bagels, water, pop, chocolate milk. When I run a marathon I need some food, preferably something I don’t have to go find my money to buy. Maybe the one free post race craft beer prohibited me from going off the deep end. Or maybe it was the second beer, it was tasty.

The finish area was nice, there was an amphitheater where the awards were presented. In between awards there was live music. There could have been more shade. There was local food vendors set up along side the local beer vendors. The group of us had all met back up, discussing everyone’s race.

There was a concert going on put on by the race, G. Love & Special Sauce. Runners could buy discounted tickets, but we passed.

I will run this race again someday, but not sure if it will be next year. It was this race last year where I realized the fun & adventure that comes along with the joy of running, so it holds a special place for me.

I do respect the focus & training it takes to run your best, but this race is where the fun & discipline come together.