Foot Traffic Flat Marathon

This was a great small town feel race - packet pick up was very no frills the day before, shirt is ok (maybe runs a bit big?). there was an early start offered for those running 10+ min miles so we started at 0530 and it wasn't the usual mess of a crowd with all the marathoners and half marathoners at once - wonderful! I felt a little rushed bc we were told the first bus would leave at 0445 but it didn't actually leave until 0500 - so we made it to the island with just enough time to use the potty and pack and check in my bag and then start! maybe it was best that way. There were beautiful birds and farmland scenery as the sun was coming up - couldn't have asked for better weather. About mile 11 or 12 or so (there was a turn around on an out-and-back around mile 10), you could see the leaders coming and that was so neat! A boost of encouragement and energy to keep going, they looked so great. Then you hit the gaggle of half-marathoners around mile 20 or so when there was a big loop to the finish - it was truly a perfect way to stagger everyone out. Course was relatively flat with just a few rolling hills sprinkled in to make it interesting :) There weren't any photos so that was a bit of a bummer, but they did some sort of YouTube video so you could see yourself (and everyone else presumably) crossing the finish line. It looked like it was probably a nice little after-race party on the farm afterwards, but I had to get back and catch the shuttle which was a little ways and a little hard to find. But all in all, I'm very happy that this was my Oregan race - definitely would recommend.