Jarmans Invitational Marathon last weekend.
It was glorious for so many reasons. Almost every runner there was so appreciative to be amongst other runners and the "race experience". Social distancing measures were in place. Masks required for the ride to the start, at the beginning of the race and at the aid stations. Most people just used a "buff. Water was put out in individual bottles or you could have the worker refill your handheld/bladder from a pitcher.
Small race with only 45 or so runners. Out and back course. 2.9 miles up the mountain. 2.9 miles down the mountain. Repeat that 4 more times and you have yourself a finish. Great to see the same people all day and encourage you/them on and help each other when needed.
Oh, it's a giant suck-fest. 1520 feet up in 2.9 miles on this mostly gravel-ish road, pot holes/washed out parts, no scenic views, hot, humid. Road isn't closed, so you have the locals taking the roads at like 45 mph (to be fair, most of the cars recognized runners on the course and slowed down, but there was few that didn't give a sh!t). Most years it's dry and dusty as hell, but this year it rained the night before, so it actually wasn't that dusty...just really humid all day. When you get to the top after 2.9 miles, you literally turn around and run back down to the bottom. 1520 feet of down. The middle mile sucks and the grade for most of this section is over 20%.
...and if you wanted it to suck even more, it starts at 12:01pm