I came into this race with sky-high expectations; that's a site sign that I'll be disappointed somewhat.

Expo: I liked it being at the football stadium, if for no other reason than I've never been there. Picking up the shirt and bib was seamless - they even switched out my size with no issues. Free bourbon tasting added to it, for sure. I did not partake, but I stop like that it was offered. Gave expo a 4, however, because the lines in the store were crazy long. I Judy wanted to buy some gel, but the line looked like it would be 30 minutes, easy.

Race: We were worried about parking, so we left really early and found street parking 3 blocks away. Found a hotel to duck into, use their bathrooms, and stay warm. It was extremely windy and cold! Course was good, but not as outstanding as I've heard. Got the sense a few times that the Louisville locals didn't appreciate the race upsetting their day... Have never gotten this feeling in Nashville. One really big hill in the park, but the rest of it is relatively flat and fast. Felt gear-check was poorly done. Also want a huge fan of having to walk back to the start to pick it up after. Granted, it was only a few blocks, but is rather walk those few blocks pre-race to drop it at finish line than at the end when my legs hurt.

Post-race: The post-race party looked awesome. 4th Street Live is a cool area... But really crammed. I was hoping tu stick around and enjoy everything you got (bourbon, beer, pizza, and burgoo) but the lines were absurd. Managed one bourbon sample and pizza, then the lines and cold wind (not their fault, obviously) forced me to leave. Maybe next year.

Swag: The medal is great. Definitely a nice one to add to the collection. The shirt is also top notch. Long sleeve tech, and it's slightly thicker than your standard tech shirt. I definitely prefer simple designs on the shirts over the big, bold ones. This one delivers on all accounts!

Overall, I recommend. My favorite half? I still prefer RnR Nashville, but I may be biased a bit. I'm sure I'll do this one again, however, and hopefully it won't be so windy so I can better appreciate the after party.

I was in Michigan visiting family and found this little 10k. Since it was only $34, decided it wouldn't hurt to run it. Being that it was so cheap, I didn't expect much. My experience far exceeded my expectations!

Pre-race: Pre-race communication via e-mail was excellent. I was unable to pick up my bib the day before, so I had to pick it up the morning of. I usually hate doing it the morning of due to the crowds (and because it just adds one more thing to do in the morning), but this was exceptionally smooth. There were several volunteers working the booth and they did a great job getting people in and out. There were plenty of portable toilets available at the start line. My only complaint about the pre-race was the costume contest. Now, I enjoy costumes as much as the next guy, but it was a cold morning and I was already all stretched out and ready to go. To have to sit there and wait for the people in costumes to parade around was a little annoying in the cold.

The course: It started out running through the orchard for about a half mile or so. You went through the "haunted barn," which was fun. After getting through that, you end up on the bike trails for the majority of the race. It remained slightly tight until the 5k split, but nothing too bad. You didn't really notice how tight is was until the split, at which point you realize just how much room you have. The first 2 1/2 miles are almost entirely flat. Being from Tennessee, I'm used to almost constant hills, and was rather enjoying this change of pace for me. Then... you go off-road into the trails. I wasn't aware that this course spent close to a mile on dirt trails - which is entirely my fault for not checking out all of the pre-race info - and this messed up my time quite a bit. First, there were some gnarly hills in those woods. Second, it was slippery. Lots of leaves and mud, combined with those hills, added up to a very slow 3rd mile. After you get back on the paved trail, you wind your way back to the orchard on a mostly flat course. Those trails did me in, though, as my pace definitely slowed. I'm very conflicted about the last half-mile of the race... I loved it because it runs through the haunted hayride route. Lots of Halloween decorations, flames shooting into the sky, and volunteers dressed spookily. Awesome sights! But... I didn't like it because for those 10 k'er like myself who were going for a PR, you meet back up with the back of the 5k'ers and milers. These are the people who are walking with their kids and taking in the sights. That's all well and good, but I was making a final push to get a PR. I didn't like having to dodge around strollers and toddlers with a half mile to go. Missed my PR by about 30 seconds. I doubt that end caused me to miss it (more likely it was the trail in the middle), but it was still an annoying finish.

Post-race: Can every race have apple cider and cider mill donuts post-race? Please?

Swag - The medal is awesome. Colorful witch riding a broom. Lots of fun. Supposedly there is a similar medal for a race on Thanksgiving and one on Christmas that all go together. I won't be in town to do the other two, though. The shirt, however, is meh. My girlfriend laughs at me because all I ever wear are race shirts. I actually like getting cotton shirts because they add to my wardrobe, ha! This one is going to the bottom of my wardrobe, though.

Overall, this is definitely one I'm going to try to hit up again next year if I'm in town on the date. If I'm expecting the trail part with the hills, I can prepare myself for it more. I'm not sure how to prepare myself for the end-of-race jam, however. Still, this race is a lot of fun!

Hometown race! Love it. It was my first half and the one I keep going back to. Be prepared for lots of hills! Get there early and park at Nissan Stadium. Only negative I ever have with this is the expo... The expo itself is great, but parking is miserable. It costs at least $10 to park. I actually park at Nissan Stadium and walk over, but this is quite a walk. Still, it's free, and I like free. For the rest of my review of the race/swag/etc, check out what I wrote for the full marathon!

My hometown race. I had done the half marathon several times, so decided that I was going to attempt my first full here. Yeah, it's a hilly one for a first full, but I knew those hills. I've run them all. I've just never run them all at once!

Pre-race - A lot of people complain about the parking. If you get there early, it's easy. Park at Nissan Stadium and walk over the bridge. Easy in and now your car is by the finish line. Easy out. A couple of hotels open their doors pre-race for runners, which is awesome! Much better and more comfortable than portables.

The course: Crazy hilly! The first half is well supported with a lot of spectators. That's one thing I love about this race - the support from spectators. The second half of the race is a little more barren, and that stinks because that's when you need it most. I was well-trained for this one, but still not a wall running up the hill on Woodland heading into East Nashville. Last 5 miles were the hardest thing I've done running.

Swag: I've never been a fan of RnR swag. Medals are ok. Heavy. But I don't know... They're just never my favorites. I can't pinpoint why. I love race shirts, but I rarely wear these. I like shirts that have simple designs, and these always have way too much going on.

Overall, it's a great race, but I would do a few more fulls before tackling this one. And do lots and lots of hill training!