Michelle Baker's Staging Area

Bussed up to Mt Rose at 3:30a for a 6a start. Very chilly at the top of the mountain and didn’t enjoy waiting in the dark and cold for the race to start. On the plus side there were plenty of porta potties and a bag check to the finish so you could keep your warm clothes on while waiting. Absolutly stunning scenery down the mountain pass for the first several downhill miles. Ran through some neighborhoods and on some paths as well as the road. There were several long uphill sections but I was thankful for those as it gave my legs a break from the downhill. The weather started out sunny but then became very windy. We faced a strong headwind for the final miles. Race ended in the Reno Sparks Convention Center parking lot but given the cool and windy weather no one was hanging out for an afterparty. Very much enjoyed this varied course with plenty of aid stations. Not many spectators and they were mostly concentrated at a few areas. Plenty of space for runners on the course. I would do this race again and the afterparty would have been far more enjoyable on a warm, sunny day.

Race communication was very good all arouund. Smallish expo but had everything one might need. I participated in the 5K on Saturday as a shakeout which was very large with lots of locals and a really fun vibe. Stayted at the downtown Doubletree which was right accross the street from the expo and a short .25 mile walk to the marathon start line on Sunday. I also walked back to the hotel from the finish line which was a distance of about .9 miles. Sunday’s marathon weather was perfect and there were plenty of aid stations/water stops with porta pottys along the marathon route. The first 19 miles of the course was scenic, running through neighborhoods then a bike path along the river. At about mile 19 it seemed to be an all concrete commercial/industrial section which was uninteresting until we entered the downtown again for the last mile or so for the finish. There are some hills on the course. Swag was a decent winter jacket.
Tulsa is an enjoyable town to visit including both a Bob Dylan and Willie Guthrie museum plus all the art deco architecture. Plenty of good restaurants as well and it is easy to navigate the city by foot or car. The airport is a short ride from downtown.
I recommend the Williams Route 66 marathon, good experience overall.

Well organized event. Airport close to town and city easy to navigate. Sioux Falls is a worthwhile destination where the downtown has parks, art installations, multiple restaurants and state parks nearby.

In terms of the race, very small expo, the long sleeve shirt option was nice. The marathon course is a scenic loop starting with a section through the downtown, past the falls, then out on a bike path to leafy, suburban neighborhoods and then back on a backpath for a long stretch ending in a stadium. Great support on course with regular stations providing water and electrolytes, some offered gels and other food. Spectators at multiple sections throughout the course. Pacers offered many time options with 15 minute increments. The elevation is pretty flat and course was not crowded.
Stayed at the Sheraton which was directly adjacent the the start line and the stadium where the race finished.
All in all a great race experience. The only downside was no real post race celebration. You received a ticket for one local beer and a bottle of water was handed out but food options at the finish line were very limited and most folks just headed out after the race.

Small, well organized race. Biloxi is an hour and a half drive from New Orleans airport where I flew into. I stayed in the Doubletree by Hilton which was easy walking distance to the bus shuttles and the finish line at MGM park. Morning bus shuttles were plentiful and ran as described out to the start of the point to point race. Gear check was provided to bring items you did not want to run with back to the start. My only complaint about the whole experience was the limited number of porta pottys at the start line, I was glad to have taken an early shuttle. The route is flat with beachside views almost the entire way along Highway 90. Crowd support was sparse but it was very rainy and windy. Traffic was well managed by local police. Afterparty included beer, Core Power and gumbo and a big screen featuring runners as they got to the finish line. Unfortunately, given the rain, not too many runners were hanging around to celebrate but it would have been nice on a day with better weather. Biloxi has plenty of accommodations and restaurants; there are also plenty of restaurants and shops in nearby Ocean Springs. I ran the 5K the day before as a shakeout which was also a great beachside course. Medals were very nice, unique shell shape that opened with designs inside as well. I recommend this marathon.