Real runner feedback on course feel, crowd support, aid stations, and logistics (parking, hotels, restaurants).
Awesome small town race. Expo was easy. Above average bathrooms before you get on the bus shuttle as well as at the start line. After party at Flyover Brewing in Scotts Bluff was a good time.
First few miles are incredibly downhill. You'll bank lots of time there but you pay for it with a few dirt miles later in the race. Last mile is a toughie!
Organization was great
Gravel by cemetery two miles out was slippery.
Check out the course first. It is challenging.
El Charrito a good Mexican restaurant. Fly Over Brewery is very nice.
Such a well run event considering the size of the field and the size of the town. I have run much larger races with less support and less organization. The scenery is beautiful and if you are accustomed to running against yourself, you will do just fine. If you prefer to run with a herd or a pace group, however, just forget it, because the field is small. My main complaints would be the relatively late start, which had many runners finishing past noon (luckily, the weather was cooler than forecast) and the lack of readily available aid (Vaseline, etc.) on the course. But there was plenty of water, Gatorade, gel, and other nutrition along the way. Really well done, organizers!
Dress in layers and be prepared to shed some as the temperature and elevation changes will get to you eventually. Take the hills from 11.5-14.5 easy and you should finish strong.
Our hotel (a race sponsor) was sold out for those arriving late. Don’t count on a room in these small towns unless you have made reservations early.
Beautiful scenery, challenging course. Mostly pavement except approximately 6 miles on dirt.
First 4 miles are down hill, mile 13-15 are significant up hill, plan accordingly.