Robert Bowden's Staging Area

I have mixed feelings about this race. If I was local to the race, I bet I would look on the race more favorably, as the staff were very nice and the course was scenic. But as an out-of-state runner, I had a couple issues with my trip.
The first situation arose when the race changed the course and finish area one month before the event. The staff seemed happy with the change as it allowed for more running of the parks and rivers out the other side of Boise (and it was nice and scenic!). However, I had booked a hotel weeks (months?) earlier and it threw a major wrench into my travel plans (I figured out a solution & to the staff’s credit – they arranged hotel discounts at the new finish area). But maybe you hold off on a change like this until next year’s race?
The second questionable situation I encountered was at the finish line. I wasn’t feeling well and decided to check in with medical. The only problem was that all of the medical volunteers had vacated the finish line area as they went to assist in a situation on the course. Maybe this is par for the course but I’ve never seen an event where all of the med staff were gone from the finish area.
* Packet pick-up was smooth an easy. There was a tent in the parking lot of the finish area. While there were a few vendors, this wasn’t any expo of sorts.
* Swag – the medal was very nice and the race went with a nice hoodie rather than a t-shirt. All good.
* Boise – I enjoyed my stay. No problems with my hotel (downtown) and found some good places to eat.
* Course was mostly downhill and pleasantly scenic. Not difficult & I clocked my best time in the last 4 year (10 marathons). So that was nice.
*Shuttles to the race start were on-time and operated well. Our shuttle driver overshot the turn-off and we had a very brief detour getting back on track. The start area was very low key with a timer mat (not set up when the shuttles arrived) and a couple guys directing traffic & answering questions. Many racers were a little confused upon arriving but it all worked out.
* Finish area amenities were average. Standard food choices. No entertainment. Plenty of space.
— So overall – as a small scale race, this event works very well IMO. A lot of the quirks that caught my attention probably don’t matter much. And even as an out-of-state ‘destination race’, there weren’t a ton of Idaho options and I wanted to hit Boise for ease of travel. I enjoyed my time and don’t regret it, and again – the staff was kind & helpful. But if you choose this race, I’d just encourage you to pay attention as the event approaches & while at the race.

This was my CT race and I’m totally ok with having chose it.
Lots of positives:
Nice, easy course. The weather was great (cloudy in the 50s). The downtown part of the course was scenic, but a long stretch mid-race was largely forgettable. Crowds were good, and encouraging, especially at the finish. Plenty of aid stations and port-a-pots. Expo was fine. Long sleeve shirt was nice, not particularly garish. Medal was also nice, nothing too crazy nor oversized. After-race party was also pleasant – lots of space, still food and beer available for us slow marathon folk, even after the 1/2 marathon finishers had made their way through.
Not many cons:
The starting corrals were a little cramped, especially with last minute arrivals pushing up through the crowd from the back. (Maybe get there a little earlier?) Food offerings after the race were not particularly impressive, (though I liked the rice mix better than I thought I would). Expo was a little on the small size?
Downtown Hartford was interesting. No problems, but not particularly amazing compared to some other cities/states I’ve visited. (However, I’m not sure the other CT marathon offerings would have been better?). I stayed at a hotel near the start/finish area so it was very convenient. Not a particularly flashy hotel, but again, solid with no problems.
Overall – it was a pleasant weekend. Race organizers did a great job pulling off a very nice fall race.

While I’ve avoided Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathons thus far, I needed to cross off Nevada and was looking forward to a trip to Vegas. Overall, the race was fine.
Expo: Was crowded at the convention center, but it was decently organized and had a large number of vendors. While merchandise options online were slim, there was a good selection onsite.
Starting “village”: This was kind of a mess. The Start/Finish lines were obviously convenient to the strip resorts, so that was good. But security was ‘hit or miss’ at the entry points, and from the parking lot to the corrals. There also seemed to be a good deal of confusion on the part of some runners about where they needed to be. Communication could have been better at spots.
I felt the starting corrals were fine. The weather was wonderful. Running on the strip was an experience. I do agree that port-a-pots were scarce, though I found a bank of them with little lines, after a couple miles. But this could definitely be improved. Water/”ade” stations were fine. The full course did take you through some dark run-down parts of town, and there were several locations with unusual switchbacks in parking lots and festival grounds. (I hadn’t seen that in many of my other races so it didn’t bother me that much). The course was very flat. Yay! There was a lot of music along the route, so that was cool. And there were lots of spectators along the strip.
Finish chute: This was pretty standard. I was in a hurry, as my wife and I had late dinner reservations, so I was hobbling through. But food offerings seemed typical. Heat sheets, IIRC. No problems there.
Swag: The shirt was fine, and I love the medal. It was metal cards (a 2, 6, and 2) that fan out over the logo. One of my favorites!
Overall: I don’t regret choosing to run it. While the event did have some shortcomings, I still enjoyed the race and running on the Vegas strip at night is an unforgettable experience!

Ups and downs – literally. The course is tough, with a good number of hills, and the potential for windy, cold October weather.
I’ve done the Running Festival numerous times and at all distances. The expo is always solid. Between nice clever medals (usually crab themed) and Under Armor shirts (used to be REALLY soft tech shirts – more traditional now), the swag was a plus.
Back in 2014 – the course ended at the stadiums, now it ends at the harbor. Being a sports fan, I enjoyed running through Camden Yards more. The finish celebration back then, was in the stadium parking lots. Now, it’s at the park near the harbor. A nicer location, but a bit more crowded, from what I hear.
Overall – the race still has sentimental value to me as my hometown event. And even though the course is challenging, the festival is well-run and what I would pick for my Maryland race, even if I didn’t live here.