For a small race in a park setting, it is very well-organized. Race director did a great job with pre-race instructions, which helped given the unconventional course and various distances ranging from 5K to 50K. Marathon starts with an out-and-back (clockwise), then continues counterclockwise on the bike path around the lake. At mile 6 there is an out-and-back on the park road to the nature center which includes some of the hillier portions, and was one of the few spots on the course where you could see many other runners. Once returning to the bike path, runners continued doing loops, going past the start/finish area at mile 13 and mile 20 before returning to the finish line. The course was very well-marked and volunteers were helpful, but "crowd" support was very light other than right at the finish line. Aid stations were about 1.5 to 2 miles apart and included water and Gatorade that runners grabbed off the tables. Finisher medals are HUGE, but otherwise there is little swag or post-race food. In 2023, weather conditions were perfect (in my opinion): 38-44 degrees, no wind, and overcast skies for almost the entire race. The rolling hills were not steep and helped me use different muscle groups. I was able to maintain a steady pace and although I inevitably slowed down the last few miles, my pace didn't fall dramatically. I finished in 3:40:49 (a 8:26 pace), beating my BQ time by over 9 minutes! There were about 450 runners total: 109 marathon finishers, 179 half-marathoners, 34 50K, 56 5K, and 69 10K. I had a great experience and highly recommend the course if you can get by without crowd support.

If other race directors took cues from this one, we could have had more in person races. Felt safe the entire time, from packet picket, to staggered start, aid stations and finish line. I cannot wait until next year. I ran the half but am considering the full.

50 mph winds, wind chills in the 20s, and sleet/snow after a few minutes of sun. Tough one, but 75 of us still finished a marathon in the elements wearing masks at the aid stations in 2020!! Free on-course pictures, bottle openers and orange souvenir cups for everyone! Thank you to r.d. Rick for all your hard work to make it happen!