First, let me say if you can spring the extra cash, pay for the VIP upgrade. This upgrade allows you to have private parking, a nice lounge inside the omni hotel with a breakfast buffet, as well as a post race buffet, massages, and a mimosa bar post race. Who wouldn’t want to hang out here before a big race, and use real bathrooms? The first four or five miles of the course was hilly, but not consistently hilly so it was bearable. After that, it wasn't completely down hill, but it was mostly flat, and I'm totally okay with that. There were plenty of aid stations, bands, and support, and I never at any point in the race felt lost. Which was very important to me as this was my first half marathon I was completing.

The race was well organized, and everything was laid out perfectly, and it was very easy to navigate. Traffic and parking was a bit of a pain due to other events going on at Quik Trip Park, but that’s out of Team Orthro’s control. However, I will say that due this traffic Team Orthro did something that some people may have a problem with, but I loved it. They delayed the race for 15 minutes to allow more runners to arrive, and they came down to the field and announced it personally to all of at the start. Mad respect. At 9:15 the 5k went off.

There was confetti. Need I say more? As soon as you go through the start line there’s volunteers dropping confetti from up above. The course was mostly flat, and mostly on a trail which was really nice. About a ½ mile in there was a hill, then it was downhill, and one smaller hill at the beginning of mile 2. There were motivational signs posted throughout as well, very empowering to accompany the sea of pink and black. All intersections were controlled, and I was never worried at any point about barely missing a car from a driver not paying attention. The water station was stocked with Powerade, and water AND a porta potty!

Upon crossing you are quickly given a beautiful golden box, with a gorgeous finishers necklace, and food. Love the food bags, no sorting through half cut bananas and such. It was a bag with real legit, whole food. Make a loop around the corner and you can go grab your GLASS, not plastic, but glass of bubbly and celebrate with your friends.

Even though I felt as if the race goody bag was lacking, I still had a great time while running the race.

Cons: Traffic-Luckily for my running group, the hotel we stayed at was a host hotel and offered a shuttle to and from the race and expo. But while on the bus, I saw endless amounts of cars waiting and line, and very few people out directing traffic.
Swag- For the 10k, you got a regular cotton t shirt, a white one. It's one thing to give a cotton a t shirt, and another thing to give a white race shirt. They did both. I really felt that taking on a 10k deserves a tech shirt.
Expo: Not so much a con, or pro. I just expected more vendors from such a big and iconic race weekend.
Pros: Well organized, on time, and indoor bathrooms. I cannot stress the importance of an indoor bathroom, the line was really long, but it was indoors. Which meant that the waiting area was also indoors, which is a major plus during the Texas unpredictable "Winter". The medal was small, but really detailed and perfect, I also enjoyed how they put how many times you've run The Cowtown on your race bib.
Also, the second half of the course wasn't hilly at all, as long as you make it through the first half... you're good. Overall I had a fantastic time, you get a great race, at a great price. The scenery is absolutely beautiful, and it's something that you definitely make a weekend out of.