Real runner feedback on course feel, crowd support, aid stations, and logistics (parking, hotels, restaurants).
After years of being owned by a national company that did a terrible job, this race is now locally owned and the new company is way way better. Better food, better party, better shirts and medal, and just a great vibe on a really nice course.
Some of the biggest hills are near the end, plan ahead.
Park at the head of the bike path lot and you'll save time versus the shuttles, easy walk to starting line.
Positive: Good after party with lots of food. Nice, large medal. Quiet, residential route if you enjoy that.
Negative: At times I was not sure what direction to go as individuals were not directing. Somewhat hilly, with a steep incline at 25 which is a killer. I, for one, don't like the running on bike paths especially in miles 18-24 as this is where people hit a wall and having no cheering, just some woods around you, is pretty demoralizing.
Pretty course sometimes along River. But a police officer had us turn right at one point when it should have been left. This cost a group of us .2 miles. The app did not seem to work. There were many volunteers, but they needed more. Pizza at the finish was a plus. This is a hilly course.
Early start was a plus. Lots of turns and quite a few hills.
Colonial Inn was decent, but nothing special.