Pre-race / expo: The expo was held the Saturday before the race from 10am to 6pm. This was your only chance to pick up your packet. However you could have someone pick it up for you, they just had to sign a form saying they did so. There were scheduled events during the expo and a pasta party in the evening. With your registration (approx $45) you received a shirt, bandana, coozie, udder cream, a poster and lots of papers, pamphlets and flyers. (virtual race bags would have been nice, as my flyers hit the recycling bin)

There are approximately 5200 runners, with the 5k, half, full and relay; so there are no issues with parking. Just need to make sure you have enough time to maneuver through the area as the main streets are closed for the race. Lots of parking in the lot adjacent to the start. Plenty of port-a-potties.

Race: All races started at 7:30, in the same undivided coral. It was also the finishing shoot, which was set up with tents on either side, it was a bit of a bottleneck. You can line up with a pacer. The race is chip timed so not a huge problem with timing, just a problem with too many people in one spot.

The course covers 2 states and 4 cities. It starts in Moline, IL. The race is mostly run along side the Mississippi river on paved surface. The course also takes you through Arsenal island.

The bridge crossings are about this biggest elevation changes. All miles are marked with a balloon tied to each marker. There are many aid stops with water & Gatorade. A lube stop, many GU stops, a wet cloth stop a candy stop & 2 fruit stops. Plenty of port-o-potties. The course has lots of entertainment bands, D.J.'s, cheer squads. There is also many spectators.

Finish/ Post Race: After medals were placed around your neck and timing chips clipped from your shoe, there was a plethora of food & drink; chocolate milk, bottle of water, grapes, cookie, bagels, chips, hot dogs, granola bars, snack crackers, and beer!!!!!

I would recommend this course to a first timer, it is relatively flat. There are hills, but they are manageable. There are also plenty of spectators and entertainment on the course.

Pre-Race: Registration online and at the expo. It was a pricier race at around $75-$100 depending when you registered. Received many emails prior to the race. Expo was held at the Union near Camp Randall. Parking in the ramp was a nightmare, so found an on street spot. Expo was nice, merchandise to buy, sponsors, signs to make. Packet pick-up was easy, just show an ID & grab your stuff, could pick up another bib number with their ID. Entrance guaranteed you a tech tee, chance to get free socks. No race day registration or packet pick-up.

Race Day: Saturday August 17, 2013. Sunny, cool, perfect, 60 ish degrees. No humidity. 7:00 am start in corrals. National Anthem sung live about 5-10 minutes before start. Music pumping over speakers. Started on time.

Course: Passing the state Capitol, the University of Wisconsin campus, Lake Menona & Lake Mendota; the race snaked through Madison on paved streets, asphalt and dusty trails. No major cracks or potholes. ( I thought the course was relatively flat, apparently I have legs of steel as others thought this was a hilly course) Chip on back of bib. Spectators were present in populated areas, always cheering. Water & Gatorade stops, each in different color paper cups. No food on the course. Miles were clearly marked with stands holding a clock & flags. Live music or loud music could be heard too. Finish line clearly marked.

Post Race: Medals hung around your neck by volunteers, at the same time a bottle of water & a banana were handed to you. More food available by choice, granola bar, fruit & nut bar, white popcorn, cheese popcorn, cookies, & chocolate milk, too much to carry. Photos on a terrace chair & in front of finishers back drop. Drink ticket provided on bib for a draft beer from a local brewery or a bottle of Gatorade. Finisher's were able to gather at the terrace on Lake Mendota. More food & drink available for purchase.

Overall: This is a great race, no headaches. Only downfall is the price. I would definitely run this again, and I would recommend you add it to your must run list.

Side note: I only recommend if you have never ran it!

Packet pick up was held Thursday, Friday & limited to an hour on Saturday. This is a huge race, over 15,000 people. No race day registration. Someone else could pick up your packet.

Pre-race: Parking is a slight problem, just have to search for an on street spot or park nearby with a short walk. Instructed to get to your assigned starting coral 15 minutes prior to race start. Corals based on estimated finishing time when you registered. Lots of announcements made, but due to volume of people, difficult to hear them all. Lots of waiting! National Anthem sung live, & a flyover.

Race: Out & back course. Starts on time, all corals start, so people move forward all at once. Disposable chip timed, plastic loop style that attaches to shoe.

Course is on pavement & asphalt, both well cared for, no holes or major cracks. TOO MANY PEOPLE! Entire course is bobbing & weaving in & out of runners. Course is known for it's uphill start, but the entire course is hilly. Mile markers are noted with banners hung above the street. A person with a stop watch is yelling times. Water only stops are crowded, paper cups. Finish chute is long, leads to post race area for runners only.

Post - race: Party! Water, pop, beer, granola bars, Whitey's popsicles, Hostess / Little Debbie style treats, grapes, etc. Entire post race takes over the Quad City Times parking lot. Usually a warning to racers if they take too much food, asked to not participate next year. There is no line system for food, you just crowd around the items. Long lines for beer.

Overall: As far as all the logistics and taking part of a race, there are no problems, you just show up and run. However the race should be run for fun, too many people, course is too crowded. I would suggest running it once, just so you can say you ran the Bix.