Real runner feedback on course feel, crowd support, aid stations, and logistics (parking, hotels, restaurants).
I was not prepared for ALL those hills! But this is a super cool event with some of the best volunteers ever. The course was challenging but the intimate number of runners was fun because I kept seeing some of the same people on my second lap. Also, the best hot tomato soup at the end! Small in size but BIG on fun.
Do your hill workouts. Coming from the coast I trained on flat flat flat and paid for it on the hills. Don't worry about pacing (unless you are trying to BQ) and just enjoy the comradery and fresh country air.
Parking was a breeze. I stayed at a hotel in Southern Pines and was only a 35 minute easy drive to the event