P How's Staging Area

Excellent, smoothly run race. Plentiful aid stations with more than normal GU offerings on course. Nice medal, cotton short sleeve t shirt. Small expo that covered all the basics. Swag bag included cow bell, corn cold pack, and apparently beans that my friend got but I did not.
HILLS: elevation profile shows one monster hill early in the half course. It did not fully prepare me for the many other hills (especially miles 8-13) that were comparably smaller but grueling. I am posting my Coros elevation photo. My pacer did warn me “mile 12 is basically climbing out of a drainage ditch”.
TRAIL: Other runners estimated ~4 mi of packed sand/loose gravel trail. That may be an underestimate and doesn’t include the ~/<1mi return to loose gravel at the end. I did not think it was enough to warrant trail shoes but an organizer at the expo also mentioned it was some of the best conditions he had seen. (Someone also mentioned 2024 was quite hot, but 2025 weather was perfect).
Also of note, Gering is just shy of 4000ft elevation.

Overall enjoyed this race but it was tougher than expected and I have run a number of other hilly/elevation races.

I’m surprised nobody has reviewed this race! 2024 was the 46th annual running for this half. It is a no frills affordable little race that hits the high points for runners: great shirt, cute little medal with a nice design. Solid on course support including signage, aid stations, port a potties, and police blocking traffic. Post race included PT and stretching tents, pizza, and a variety of other food. Registration limited to 400 runners. No expo. If you were traveling to AL for a run I wouldn’t pick this one but if you are local ish this is a solid race for training/goals.

This is a small race and most of the participants ran the 5K, but they offered a 10k, half and full as well. Small packet pick up area that was very smooth. Great communication. Course is VERY hilly, many highway miles but good support with traffic control. The race supports the Children’s hospital (the only one in MS) and the race courses pass the hospital on the way out and back. There was also a stretch of road with pictures of honorees that was very touching. For being such a small race, it had excellent on course support and spirit at the aid stations. Great medal. Amazing after party!!! One of the better ones I have ever been to. I can’t wait to watch this race grow.

Hills are no joke even when expecting them. It is also a big race and the course remained crowded throughout which made it difficult to get into a groove. Great spectators/crowd support! Also well supported for aid. Someone said there were 22 bands on the course. Short sleeve tech fabric race shirt was ok, nice medal with lots of detail.

Ran this on an anniversary year with friends and we all loved it. Immediately one of my top 3 all time favorite races. Great expo, swag, lots of spectators. You have to take the trolley to the race start but everything was very smoothly organized and communicated. SPECTACULAR course views: includes mountains, university campus, downtown, and some more eclectic neighborhoods.