Laura Werner's Staging Area

This is a very nice small local marathon. With any race you need to know the details ahead so you can get it in your mind that you got this!!! Yes there can be brutal winds by the river! I loved the tail winds and looked forward to that on the second loop to blow me along the river! Yes, there are enthusiastic spectators! But, NO not like the big marathons so expect none and they will totally blow you away! Flat course that I actually loved since its scenery changes… expect horrible scenery and you will love it! I loved that I got to see other runners and the river throughout the course. They actually had pacers which is unusual for a local small marathon! The convenience of staying at the hotel and walking a block or two to the start was great. Nice cafe for coffee afterwards was fantastic! Awesome local restaurants were close! Loved the new course and not having to run through the city. Know ahead it is 2 loops and know that your mind is in a different place second loop! I loved traversing the bridges back and forth and the two loops you knew what to expect…! So cool to run the loops and bridges and broke up the monotony of road running! I honestly thought I’d hate the 2 loops and so many runners were complaining at the start… which as a runner you know not to put that negative crap in your head??? Over all I loved this race! It’s no frills as you have to carry your own gels and there was plenty of water. Also very pleased with the clean and convenient porta potties. Seriously this is a fantastic marathon. I’d say the only negative is having to run on concrete for some miles and I expected a regular hoodie for the 50th… though overall pleased with my thin hoodie! Oh my I forgot to add the little trail section was a fun surprise as well as the fireball guy! I can’t imagine doing a Fireball shot though I had fun listening to his fireball song blasting and seeing other runners happily stop for a shot! Next year he should keep track of numbers and give prize to the runner who guessed how many runners took a shot! All in all a great event…the relay was cool too! If you are running the marathon…consider bringing 4 friends and have them do the relay!!! Excellent execution Fleetfeet and team! I think I may have to run this again! Not sure why this doesn’t have 4,000 runners!!!!