Michael Cohen's Staging Area

This race is an out and back and it has a stead claim up to the turn around point. Aid stations are set up about every 2 miles with water and Gatorade for the 1st pass on the return the volunteers will put out salt snacks pickles soda and Gu. Below is a picture of my elevation for the half marathon

Course is an out and back through beautiful farm country. The out is a steady climb until the turn then you get to head back down to the start. Lots of cattle farms and some horses along the way. Don’t expect many human spectators. Aid stations are placed every 2 ish miles with water and electrolytes. When you head back the amazing volunteers put out other snacks. Gu, chips, pickles and cola. My elevation from my Garmin is attached to this review

Packet pick up and the race expo are well managed. The location is a small race track for horses and you get to finish on that track. The race course takes you through downtown and past some parks and in to some nice neighborhoods with beautiful homes. My watch had about 500’ of gain for the course

Quad City’s races are the best the weekend is a good time with an amazing race company that is run by fellow runners. Expo is a good size with lots of vendors. Pick up your bib and then participate in the “pump n run”. I have run this race (different distances) each of the last 4 years and plan to keep going back. The course it self has a few hills (mile 9). And the weather can get warm this time of year.

Packet pick up is on race morning and it’s super easy to get your bib and shirt before had then walk back to your car to drop things off. The race starts and ends near a small airport but I didn’t see plans taking off or landing. The course is rolling the some beautiful wooded areas all paved streets with a bridge crossing that is very scenic.

Starting off by saying I like bigger races with lots of spectators. Packet pick up went well the race T shirt is cool not many vendors at packet pick up. Race day it self was well organized parking is easy at the High School. The race starts in the stadium and you run one lap on the track before exiting to the course easy very flat course. Out and back along what use to be the Rio Grande River. Nice scenery of near by mountains. Even though the rout is FLAT you are still at almost 4k feet above sea level. I recommend getting in to town a few days before if you are a sea level runner like I am.

The expo for this event is great lots of vendors and Brooks is the race sponsor so the race merch is top quality. I spent way too much at the event but all good things. The actual race is fun you the course is FLAT aside for the crossing in to and out of Canada (note Gatorade on the Canada side of the course is much better). If I was going to run this one again I would do the international half. The back half of the marathon course takes you through some nice neighborhoods but they are not as cool as running in to Canada.

The race expo is on the small side with some nice people and local businesses that are worth checking out. Top notch race merch I purchased a hoodie. Race day was a great day weather was perfect and I was all set for a PR. The views along the rout were breathtaking and so was the elevation, for this runner. Between the pit stops to take photos and other “breaks” I wasn’t able to hit my goal time but I am happy with my results.

The expo and race events are extremely well organized the group really knows what runners want. Crowd support is awesome the city comes out in droves to support the runners. Oh and the BLING is the most impressive medal 🥇 I have ever got BIG and beautiful.

I’m going to break this one down:
Packet pickup was easy and they were really accommodating with swag changes
Parking at the school was easy but we did get there early. The race it self takes you down the coast for 5 miles before zigzagging you back through a beautiful beach town. Now for the down side: The race started 40 min late due to parking and shuttle bus planning. The course is about a 1/4 mile long and when getting to the finish area the lines to get post race food were very long. With the late start and the weather I would have liked to see more aid stations on course, There were 5.

Note the race directors have sent out an email saying that they are making plans to improve these issues for next year.

Beautiful course through the nature preserve you start on the highway and quickly take things off road. The trail is paved with asphalt most of the way and there are some bridges that are made of composite wood. Race day packet pick up is available.

NY has the BEST system for getting everyone to the start of the race. Logistics are top notch.
They have 5 different starts one for each wave I liked that as well. There are some elevation changes on the course that could be challenging but I trained for the hills and the legs felt good for the full race. Temps were not my friend that day. 70’s and 75% humidity made it hard to breathe and get in to a groove. The mid course aid stations ran out of supplies and that was another thing I didn’t like. I’d expect more from a race of this caliber. While it was a pour day for running it was an amazing day for spectators, I found that there were a few areas on the course that were with out crowd support. Over all I’m glad that I got NY done but I don’t have to do that one again.

Awesome race awesome course. The hills were challenging. But the view was awesome. Nice expo for a mid sized race. I had a good day and ran a good race. Best in a long time. Good swag and a super post race area with food and music

You need to love climbing to run this one. Lots of elevation gain over this 13.1 mile course. Good event with good swag. It’s a small event 200 participants is the cap.

This is a big race with lot’s of crowd support. If I lived out there I would run this one every year. There are some steep climbs mid distance for the half marathon. But the view from the top is worth it.

I found it funny that the call this the lakefront marathon but you don’t actually get to see the water till mile 23…. Well organized race point to point with mostly a downhill course. Good support from aid stations but not a lot of crowds to cheer for you as you race.

At the start of the race you are in this small vineyard. Cute place they grow grapes and make the wine on site. You leave and then run through the local neighborhood before looping around and returning to the vineyard. Easy out and back race. When you get back to the finish you get water, soft drinks, wine and the BEST soft pretzel roll I have ever had

This was a difficult race lots of uneven terrain with warm granite boulders to climb up and down. Only time I have ever got a blister or bruised a toe on a race. The views are amazing

The rock n roll races are well organized and have amazing swag with the best idea of having live music on course. What you are not told is that due to noise restrictions the bands don’t start playing till later in the day. I was at mile 7 before hearing any live music. I have done quite a few of the RnR races. And if you are in to bling and swag they are a definite win.

The expo for these events are awesome. Lots of cool stuff to browse and awesome guest speakers. The race it self is a blast. Tons of crowd support once you leave the park. Can you say BLING.