This was the first marathon I ever did, and the race organizers did a good job with communication and organization of the event–packet pick-up was easy, with ample parking, and tons of booths and vendors. However, race morning was a little chaotic, as getting onto a US Air Force base and parking comes with some challenges (long lines trying to get in, and it was quite a hike from the parking area to the starting line...which is hard on aching legs at the end of a marathon).

The course itself was mostly flat, which was great. However, this race had a later start time than I would have expected, and the course got very hot very quickly. The black flag went out pretty quickly due to temperature conditions, and many many runners did not get the chance to finish the race and were brought in by race crew.

There were many stretches of the course that were on blacktop without any shade cover at all, which became brutal towards mile markers 16-20. I have NEVER seen so many people doubled over on the sidelines, or stopping at the medical tents. Mid-September is too early for a course with minimal shade cover in a race that doesn’t start until 8 AM (when most runners are used to starting their long runs far earlier to beat the heat).

The race had a TON of local support and cheering galleries, which helped keep me moving. I probably won’t do this race again due to the hot conditions at that time of the year, but if you’re a faster runner, you might be able to finish before the heat of the day gets too bad.