JS Heat's Staging Area

The marathon course and time of year enticed me to register. Each of my communications to the Race (Facebook, email) went unresponded. Shame on me for not recognizing this behavior as a sign of things to come. Similar to the runner above, my impression is this race is not necessarily as advertised as much is left out or exaggerated.
Course is downhill with very few mild inclines. This is nice, but hard on the quads even for those with very good biomechanics fairly uneven, gravel embedded in hard ground, like running on an old country driveway. The final miles are gravel. Technically, it is trail, yet, course composition at trail races is commonly discussed, responses to inquiries the norm, too.
I, nor any of the several runners I spoke, noticed on-course support from marshals or EMT’s on bikes, as these are needed to locate any runners in difficulty mid-course. Given the temps, hydration and some on-course coverage should be there. Possibly, they had some, but we did not see it (start 50, 60 within an hour, achieved 70+ according to Underground with humidity at 63%).
A bright spot is they appeared to have added some water stations on the second half of the course (where both marathon and half marathon combined). Sadly, not the case on the first half and fluids were sorely needed given the warm, humid conditions that had temps rising quickly.
Another bright spot, there were multiple time strips to monitor splits and discourage cheating. The downside, not a single one of these had a time clock. No volunteers or anyone calling out splits anywhere on the course. If your thinking, that this should not be a problem with a HRM watch…do not assume. If you read about the race, you know it goes into a tunnel that is over 2 miles long. This disrupts GPS satellite connection, thus, pace and mileage are incorrect. Possibly, this is mentioned in other posts. I never saw it on their website.
Bib pick-up was interesting. Upon arrival, they validated ID (good) and asked, actually demanded, another waiver be signed (duplicate of the one that came with registration). Subsequently, was given the wrong bib. Noticed it as it said Half Marathon. Subsequently, given the right bib, wrong shirt type (singlet). Give them credit in that the shirt is good looking, nice quality. The medal is nothing noteworthy. Std custom die-cast. (I don’t care about medals, but some do). Swag bag was minimalist.
Race start is 6:30. Wanted to know about buses to the start as well as the possibility of getting transportation back to the start after the race. No response to each prerace inquiry. Get to the bib pick-up and find buses are prior to race, not post, and I am scheduled for bus at 4:30 a.m. Supposed to arrive 15-20 minutes prior. Race is 30-60 minutes from two closest hotel areas. Did they do the math on the timing and what this does for prerace rest? Even care?
I requested a change in my scheduled bus time to a later one. Answer, we cannot do it. Should have written. I did. Asked for my email id so she could verify. Asked her if when she found them was she going to change the time. Answer, I cannot do that. Was there a desire to make an exception, some value in checking for my emails and social media communication? Or, was it now about ascertaining my integrity, not customer service? Will not waste your time with the nonsense that followed. Suffice it to say, she would not change nor assist in getting it changed. Apparently, she worked for the company that runs the events – endurance events.
Other things to note: Race had sufficient port-o-cans at the start and the on-course volunteers were amazing, just too few manning some water stations (2 people does not cut it in a race this big.) Shade on course was not to the level advertised. Maybe half to 60% at best. The final station had only water, not Gatorade. At that point, both are very much needed especially in the hot, humid conditions.
Post race had some vendors, a small med tent, plenty to drink. No stretch or massage tables. Did not see any police security.
I run various races around the US with distances from 5K to marathon, finishing as high as 14th in the US at 15K. In addition, I assist with many races, as well as directing them. My impression of this race looked is one that is overly focused on maximizing margins, profitability to the point of hurting the race (some EMT support at multiple locations, traversing the course or both, a few more buses or better utilizing them) Full pricing, minimalist delivery, by capitalizing course notoriety. If I were to consider running this race again, it would not happen. I would, however, register for another race on this course due to its sheer beauty. If a runner’s ankles and/or knees are weak, I would not recommend running this course. If you want a gorgeous course, this is it. Just register for another race held on this course.

Overpriced. Runners and walkers all over the place, not keeping to their lane. Lost in their music or talking with friends. Gatorade was either strong like syrup or weak and watery.