This is a fantastic 5K that occurs during the big marathon weekend in the Twin Cities. Since it's part of marathon weekend, there is a good expo at the RiverCentre that starts the day before the 5K. 5K participants can visit the expo for packet pick-up, or they can pick up their packets the morning of the race. Swag at pick-up included a short-sleeve Brooks technical shirt and marathon weekend-branded gloves that came in very handy on the chilly race morning! The 5K starts and finishes at the State Capitol building in St. Paul, the same finish line as the marathon. The course is uphill for the first mile as you head out of downtown and into the charming Summit Avenue neighborhood. There was one water station about halfway through the race, followed by a great downhill finish back to the Capitol. A quality medal, bottle of water and several food choices (granola bars, Cliff bars, bananas, fruit cup, crackers) await you at the finish line. As this is set up for the marathon finishers the next day, there were plenty of porta-potties available and no wait time for them. Parking was easy and reasonable at $10 at the History Center a block or two away. You can probably find cheaper meters further away, but the History Center was easy in and out and right next to the festivities. Highly recommend this race for people who want to be apart of marathon weekend without going the full 26.2!