I signed up for this race last minute because I needed motivation to do longer runs in the humid weather and I don't live too far from the start.

Packet pickup was simple just headed to one of the Pacers Running stores that is near my office the Friday before the race during my lunch break. There is no expo you just go into the store and get your bib and shirt. I didn't like the shirt at all as I hate anything fitted but I was fine to wear to the race race morning so i could stay warm since it was raining out. I left the shirt at the starting corral before I started running.

The race starts at 7AM at West Potomac Park which is a pain in the butt to get to if you don't live locally. There was parking at the race not too far from the start but I heard it was pretty limited. Metro wasn't an option since it doesn't open until 8AM on Sundays. I live 3 miles from the start so I just jogged over to get some extra miles in and then bike shared home.

The participant field was pretty small and about 99% women. I love when there is a small field and plenty of porta potties because I'm a nervous pooper before races so short lines are important to me.

The race course is nice but if you aren't local you don't get too see too many of the DC sites but you do get some nice views. This race didn't seem to attract a big crowd of spectators but it could have also been the rain. Personally I like quiet races when there is nice scenery it lets me get into the zone and meditate.

Over all I thought it was a great race and I a may do it again in the future. It's the same time as the Flying Pig Marathon (Half Marathon) in Cincinnati which happens to be one of my favorite races so next year I will not be at the Women's Half since I've signed up for the Flying Pig Marathon 2020.

If you are lucking for a nice low key half in DC in early May with an easy course this is it. If you are someone who needs crowds cheering you on and people yelling along the course I'd look into DC Rock N Roll Half in March.

I currently live in Crystal City so Crystal City 5K Fridays is a perfect way for me to get some speed work in for the month of April.

The race series is 4- 5K races the first four Fridays in April at 630PM. You can sign up for as many of the 5K as you want with a slight discount if you do all 4.

The race is well organized and draws a decent size crowd. Participants are super lively and so are the spectators.

The course is flat and easy making for a perfect chance to PR if you line yourself up in towards to the front of the start...no corralling so you have a lot of slower runners and walkers choosing to go up front and the beginning of the course can be a bit of a bottleneck.

Your bib comes with a drink ticket to be redeemed each week at a local restaurant which makes for great post race festivities.

The race is metro accessible and most of theparking garages in Crystal City allow for free parking after 4PM.

This race series is walker, kid, dog, and stroller friendly so if you're looking for a fun healthy Friday night activity to do with your family or friends in April I would recommend you check out this race.

My boyfriend picked this race because the dates worked out for us to come visit one of his friends.

This is a small town race which is not necessarily a negative thing but in this case it meant a pretty boring yet hilly course and very little crowd support to cheer you on. There were six stations every 2 miles with water and gu. Race finish water, bagels, bananas, and some non-alcoholic beer.

It’s not a terrible race if you’re doing the half but in the future I’ll make sure to double check the bf’s picks before registering. Again not a terrible race but not worth it if traveling from a far distance.

Bel Monte is a great race with a beautiful yet challenging course for the first 8ish and last 8ish miles (it's an out and back). I'm not a great trail runner and someone told me the race was a great beginners race....I think it may have been if it had not snowed a few days before and the snow on the first 8 miles of the course hadn't become icy. The first 8 (also last 8) miles were really tough we had to wait in long lines on certain parts of the trail because it was so slippery and it was single track people had to hold on to trees to get by. All the elevation gain for this 50K is also in this 8 mile stretch making it even more difficult. Also be prepared for several stream crossings were you will have to get into the water that can be calf deep and mud depending on the weather. I DNFd because I was just spent from trying not to slip on the first 8 miles and after the stream crossing my feet were soaked and it was in the low to mid 30s out. I'd love to run the course again in a month with more favorable weather.

For driving to and from the race and parking I recommend having an AWD or 4WD vehicle roads were icy and lots of mud where we parked so lots of smaller cars had to be pushed.

If you are waiting for someone to finish bring lots of warm clothes and plan on who will finish first so you can have access to your car to wait. There is no indoor waiting area. Sign up early and reserve a cabin early so you can stay at the race start and not be cold if you can the cabins sell out quick. We stayed in Waynesboro and the drive wasn't bad. I recommend checking out Basic City Beer Co if you have time. Also bring cash...they offer $5 showers in the old time store near the start/finish....personally i didn't shower but wish i had.