Real runner feedback on course feel, crowd support, aid stations, and logistics (parking, hotels, restaurants).
This race coincides perfectly with the fall colors of southern Minnesota. There aren't a ton of spectators cheering nor is it a fast course, but it's a well organized small city race.
This course is hilly. Don't attempt even splits. Start slower than goal pace and go for even efforts.
Was very easy to find parking within a half a mile of the start. One of the perks of a smaller race.
The first 10 miles are spent weaving throughout city streets, parks, schools, and neighborhoods. Lots and lots of turning corners. By the time you make it to the half you're on some wide open countryside. Mile 16 through 20 are spent in a beautiful woodland (former railway?).
It's Autumn in Minnesota so it could be 55 and sunny or 35 and raining. Be prepared for either.
They recently changed this course and I wouldn't consider this a downhill course by any means. Over 900 feet of elevation gain. Mile 17-18 is a hill and the first few miles are pretty hilly. When I ran there was also a pretty strong headwind for awhile. That being said it was a beautiful fall course and I would probably run it again!
The course is beautiful in the fall and the folks setting it up are great. Love the crowd support.
Pretty fast course overall. They could improve the course by taking out some of the sharp turns, especially in the middle section. Long sections of open, exposed country roads, which caused some slowdowns due to headwinds. Well organized with nice crowd support for a race of this size.
Our pacer took us out too fast, and I think a more conservative up-front strategy would have been smarter for me. There are a couple of decent rolling hills in miles 4-8. Nothing insurmountable, but worth being aware of. There's a good opportunity to bank time between miles 17 and 19 with a good, steep decline.