Malisa Anderson-Strait's Staging Area

I’ve run over 70 marathons in 32 states and this was a top 5 race! The expo is the largest I’ve been at post-covid – really fun! Race shirts customized for each distance always a nice bonus, and they had the little oval race distance stickers for each distance too. at packet pick up. I ran the full, my husband ran the half, and my father ran the 5K. My review is for the full, but all were excellent! Loved staying at a hotel near the start – walked over to the race about 30 mins before the gun – so much more relaxing, tons of porta potties so short line, and off we went. Since the half splits from the full only a couple miles into the course, I was really impressed how many spectators were out cheering on the full! It’s so much more fun to run through neighborhoods when you have folks out there cheering and spectating. The loop on the Drake Relay’s track at mile 12 was a highlight – they call your name when you enter the stadium – I took a ton of pics and then noticed they had a photographer on course too – he got some great ones (free thanks to a sponsor, sweet!) Then we headed down to the parks/greenway… mile 23 glass bridge is really pretty. I’m a slow poke and they still had a great post race set up and folks at the finish when I crossed the line. My medal was the state capitol – we went and toured it the next day – definitely worth a stop! Custom medals for all three distances too, I liked it! Overall really outstanding race – tons of porta potties all over the course – great aid stations, zero complaints!