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First all ultra-distance race event in northwest Ohio. Overall, this was a good race. I've ran races that have gone smoother and I felt more confident with logistics in advance of the race start. As years go on, this will be a great race. It would be a great event for those new to ultra running who might be concerned about cutoffs or don't want a technical trail race. The course was on sidewalk (paved) and the 2.8 mile loop made it easy to get aid and refuel when needed. I only carried a handheld soft flask with me. There was one hill on the course, which was short enough that it could be runnable, or didn't take much time if it was walked. It was VERY dark once the sun went down because the street lights didn't stretch all the way to the end of the turnaround.
While they took a while to release the design of the swag, it was pretty cool. Registration came with a finisher medal and a belt buckle for 100 mile runners. Also came with a simple black cotton t-shirt with the main logo on it. I do wish the medal lanyard said 100K finisher, not participant, since only the finishers received it. It seems to diminish the prestige of completing an ultra marathon.
Communication in advance of the race was non-existent. I did not receive an email from the race director after the registration confirmation. I had many questions about the race since the registration site included no information about parking, aid stations, crew and pacers, laps to complete per distance, or even the time cut off. I finally got ahold of someone only via Facebook. Then more information slowly started to come on the website. I reached out to Race Penguin the week before the event asking for confirmation that the event was still happening. All participants got an email the next day with details about parking. Still no information about what food was available at the aid stations. As a vegetarian, I always want to confirm there will be something for me. Rather, I brought all of my own food, even though my registration included aid station fuel. I got there and, fortunately, there were veggie options.
Most of the runners in this event were not regular runners or ultra-runners. Most were participating in the team relays, which added a lot of fun to the race environment. The long cutoff attracted new ultra-runners, another cool was to increase access. It felt like most of the field knew each other from the gym that hosted this event. They would encourage each other as they passed each other, but would not acknowledge those of us not connected to that gym. I rarely got any nod of acknowledgement from other runners. I did have the opportunity to talk with another runner that I de-facto paced for as he finished his 50 mile. We had a great short conversation. It felt very different than the other ultra and trail races I have participated in.
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