Nicole Sharp's Staging Area

Pros:
+ Most of the volunteers were fantastic – super friendly at the aid stations!
+ The race course was well marked with flags and signs throughout. The only confusing part was around mile 3, when you loop back near the start line. There were a lot of people hanging around, no one directing, and I couldn’t see the next aid station.
+ Aid stations were well-stocked and spaced roughly every 3–4 miles.
+ Post-race food was good, with vegetarian options available.
+ Parking was fairly easy, with availability in a main lot and overflow lot if you got there early (6:30 AM). I saw a lot of people got tickets for not paying the $5 cash fee though.
+ The trail was about 95% shaded in the woods with some roots. Very quiet throughout and while not overly scenic, it felt very peaceful.
+ Bugs weren’t bad, and I didn’t need bug spray.
+ General crowd size wasn’t too bad. The start was smooth with no delays.

Cons:
– Communication before the race was lacking. I didn’t receive any emails, and my inquiries went unanswered. I wasn’t even sure if I had a bib number until it appeared on the website a week before the race.
– The listed elevation gain was way off. The website said 4,322 ft for the marathon, but my Garmin recorded just 2,333 ft. That’s a significant difference for training purposes.
– Aid station info was inaccurate regarding food options. I had been expecting substantial food (like sandwiches) at the Eagle aid station around mile 9.5, but they only had chips and snacks. The substantial options didn’t appear until around mile 13.
– For the marathon, the faster half marathoners caught up with me from miles 3.5-7.5, when the courses split. On the single-track trail, I had to constantly pull over to let them pass, which disrupted the tranquility.
– About half of the aid stations had loud music or cowbells/noisemakers. It felt out of place for a trail race and broke the focus, especially for anyone sensitive to loud sounds.
– Swag was plentiful (hoodie, t-shirt, hat) but lower quality. I’d have preferred just one nicer item instead.
– Medals are huge but don’t really fit the minimalist trail vibe. The design didn’t really reflect the wooded single-track course.

Overall, a well-supported race with friendly volunteers and good food, but a few inconsistencies and logistical issues make me unsure if I’d do it again.