Real runner feedback on course feel, crowd support, aid stations, and logistics (parking, hotels, restaurants).
I ran with a hydration pack for the first time for the race and I think it helped. Great course. Flat and fast. You'll probably do a lot of running alone because it's a smaller race. Probably the flattest possible course and the flattest I've run other than Jacksonville. It is tough navigating toward the end because there are all the different distances convening, but an optimal summer race.
I have ran this race since it's inaugural in 2003. All half marathons though I did do the Full in 2012 as my 10th year running the event. The 1/2 marathon is a single loop on paved roads. It is an agricultural community with farms and fields. The Full marathon runs the same loop as the 1/2 plus an additional rout that spans the Columbia channel on the west side of the island. Beautiful course and plenty of water stations.
Only draw back is that the heat may get to you on the full marathon; July is a hot month for marathon running and not ideal but it is a flat and fast event.
Shuttles are available for a small fee, parking has gotten better over the years.